Highlights
- Explore nature and palaces on a day trip to magical Sintra
- Join a tile-painting workshop in Lisbon
- Taste Portugal on a family food tour in Porto
- Go hiking in Peneda-Gerês National Park
- Follow in the footsteps of the Knights Templar in Tomar
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Porto, Family Food Tour | Porto |
| Day 2 | Porto for Kids | Porto |
| Day 3 | Hike Peneda-Gerês National Park | Porto |
| Day 4 | Train to Lisbon, Lisbon by Tuk-Tuk | Lisbon |
| Day 5 | Explore Lisbon & Tile-Painting Workshop | Lisbon |
| Day 6 | Day Trip to Sintra for Young Explorers | Lisbon |
| Day 7 | Knights & Castles in Tomar, Transfer to Porto & Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Porto, Family Food Tour
Day 2: Porto for Kids
Porto is a compact city that's easy to walk around—perfect for families and those with little legs. Start your day with a fun and informative walking tour to introduce your family to the city's history and must-see attractions. Portugal's second-largest city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its delicious port wine, stacked medieval townhouses by the beautiful Douro River, and blue-and-white tiled churches. Find out why it's called "Invicta" (the Invincible City) as your guide shares stories about heroes and battles that took place here.
The afternoon is yours to explore. After ticking off the São Bento Train Station, Clérigos Tower, Lello Bookshop, and a funicular ride, your family might need chill time. Porto has beautiful green spaces, such as the Crystal Palace Gardens, where kids can run wild, or Serralves, a contemporary museum by the famous Portuguese architect Siza Veira. You could go to the beach and visit SEA Life Porto at Matosinhos or ride bikes at Foz, where the river meets the ocean. Or stay in Porto and board a 6 Bridges Cruise on the Douro River, giving the little ones a break from walking.
Day 3: Hike Peneda-Gerês National Park
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Swap the city for wild mountain landscapes with a full-day hiking and cultural tour to Peneda-Gerês National Park. This family day trip will be adapted to the age of your children, so don't stress if they are not big hikers! Within Portugal's only national park, which hugs the northern border with Spain, several shorter, accessible hikes get you up into the best scenery of the park. Visit breathtaking viewpoints, witness mountain panoramas, wander to cascading waterfalls, and swim in crystal clear lagoons. You're more like to encounter wildlife—like wild horses and deer—than other people.
Stop for a picnic with traditional Portuguese food at one of the park's most iconic lookouts. Afterward, jump back in the 4WD and set off to explore ancient villages whose traditions have been preserved by the locals. Your knowledgeable local guide will give you entertaining and educational insights as you explore the 436-square-mile (703 sq km) park, its villages, and old traditions. You'll end the trip with a traditional lunch at a local restaurant, where the adults can try northern Portugal's famous vinho verde wine.
Day 4: Train to Lisbon, Lisbon by Tuk-Tuk
After breakfast, go to Porto's São Bento or Campanhã train stations for your 3.5-hour train to Lisbon. On arrival, make your way to the hotel and find somewhere nearby for lunch. This afternoon an electric tuk-tuk will collect your family to explore the "City of Seven Hills." Your knowledgeable guide will zip your clan through the charming capital's colorful neighborhoods, from the neoclassical avenues of Baixa to the skinny cobblestone alleys of the bohemian Bairro Alto. Discover the city's fascinating history, hidden corners, and beautiful panoramic viewpoints.
If the kids need to let off steam, drop by Estufa Fria, Lisbon's tropical greenhouse within Edward VII Park, wander down to the waterfront near Praça do Comercio, where something is always happening, or seek out street performers along Lisbon's pedestrian shopping street Rua Augusta.
Day 5: Explore Lisbon & Tile-Painting Workshop
Get lost in the colorful city streets, seek out the sights of the Belém district, hunt for the best Portuguese custard tart, and explore day-to-day life at your pace today. Lisbon's markets and fairs embody the city's soul and are excellent places to meet the locals and buy authentic souvenirs. Every Tuesday and Saturday, the famous Feira da Ladra flea market pops up with everything from vintage clothing to quirky antiques. If you're more interested in food, visit the city's biggest traditional daily market, Mercado da Ribeira, and order lunch next door at the trendy Time Out Market food hall.
At some point today, your family will join a very special workshop. Tiles or azulejos are part of the cultural fabric of Portugal. In this creative experience, you'll paint ceramic tiles, just like the ones you've seen covering buildings across Lisbon and Porto. Each adult and kid gets to choose a template from a book, then recreate the tile using stencils in their favorite colors. It's a kid-friendly activity and the perfect souvenir to remember your Portugal family vacation.
Day 6: Day Trip to Sintra for Young Explorers
Follow in the footsteps of kings and queens with a day trip to magnificent Sintra. Feel the magic of the dense and dewy forest and the charm of the many 19th-century palaces that dot the mountainside. Sintra is an essential day trip from Lisbon and the perfect adventure for families of every age—plus, there are challenges and fun activities for them along the way. The kids will love running through secret passageways and climbing turrets in the gardens at Quinta da Regaleira. Hear about the legends and myths of Sintra, and the real-life authors and artists who passed through here.
Wander through the Sintra historical village, stopping for a travesseiro—the traditional sweet of Sintra. Continue the adventure at the National Palace of Sintra, a hunting retreat and summer resort for the Portuguese monarchy and its court during the Middle Ages. See if the kids can guess what two giant triangular chimneys were used for!
Day 7: Knights & Castles in Tomar, Transfer to Porto & Depart
Today you will return to Porto by private transfer, traveling back in time along the way. En route, you'll meet a local guide taking you on a medieval journey. The first stop is Almourol Castle, one of Portugal's trademarks and most famous "postcards" in the country. The 12th-century fortress sits at the center of a small granite island, just 1,000 feet long (310 m) and 250 feet wide (75 m), in the middle of the Tagus River. Afterward, pass through Constância, a small charming village where Luis de Camões (one of the most famous Portuguese poets) lived and used to write lyrical poems.
At last you'll reach Tomar, where you can visit the Church of Santa Maria do Olival, the headquarters of the Knights Templar, and a pantheon of all Grand Masters. Tomar was land given as a fief to the Templars, and it was especially important in the 15th century. End the day at the UNESCO-protected Convent of Christ, a magnificent monument and a Templar stronghold constructed under the orders of crusader Gualdim Pais. Finally, your driver will drop you at Porto Airport for your journey home. Safe travels and adeus!
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