The family-oriented Portuguese welcome children everywhere and there are
plenty of opportunities in and around Lisbon to keeps kids entertained.
You can combine your entertainment with theirs at some of the city's top
attractions such as the Belem
Tower in Belem where
children can run around the ramparts and St. George's
Castle in Alfama with its
attractive terrace where peacocks roam around. You can also resort to some
medieval storytelling in the cloisters of Jeronimos
Monastery before heading next door to the Maritime
Museum which also has a children's section along with wonderful
model ships and an adjoining Planetarium (there are sessions in
English and child-oriented shows). Nearby, close to Belem
Palace, are broad lawns for a family picnic or to burn some energy with
a ball or frisbee. Not too far away is the Tropical
Garden with its exotic species and ponds providing a pleasant space for
restless tots and a good break for parents.
The fairytale coaches on display at the Coaches
Museum down the street will appeal to older children, and teens
might also enjoy the funky objects of the Design
Museum back in the center of the city.
Along with Belem, Parque
das Nações is the district with the most family entertainment,
offering several attractions suitable for people of all ages. Mostly
traffic-free and with riverside walkways, it is a good place for a day out,
with cable car rides, bikes for hire, water gardens,
bowling, international restaurants, and a playground known as
"Parque do Gil."
Not to be missed is the Oceanarium
and its sharks, and the Interactive
Science Museum with its thrilling hands-on experiments.
More children's play areas are found uptown on the
top floor of Colombo
Shopping Center, including a fun fair that claims to be the largest
indoor amusement park in Europe with a roller coaster and other rides, video
games, bowling, and a go cart track to entertain the kids as you shop.
Also uptown is the Zoo, home to some two thousand animals and a fun dolphin
show. Make sure to also visit the "monkey village" and the elephant that
rings a bell if you place a coin in its trunk.
A short metro ride away is Edward VII
Park that contains a children's play area by its two greenhouses
with a wide variety of exotic plants and ponds.
Another playground is found
in Estrela
Gardens, and for more luxuriant vegetation, head to the Botanical
Garden.
If the weather doesn't permit fun outdoors, look into the lovely Marionette
Museum with puppets ranging from the medieval to the contemporary
and frequent puppet shows.
Another museum that will delight the entire family is the Toy
Museum in Sintra.
It fires the imagination of children and adults with
ancient and modern toys that you will want to see before heading to the
fairytale Pena Palace or the wonderful gardens of Monserrate
Palace. Also in Sintra, you may want to consider a horse and
carriage ride or taking a fun tram to the beach of Praia das
Maçãs.
South of Lisbon on the shores of Costa da Caparica are more opportunities
for some time by the sea, reached by bus from the capital, followed by a fun
toy train ride. Another option for a great day out is to go on a thrilling
boat ride in Setúbal and
observe dolphins leaping in their natural habitat.
And don't forget that simply going around Lisbon can provide hours of family
fun just by riding the city's trams and funiculars (children
under 5 ride for free).
For child-friendly events, check out the listings of the tourism
office's monthly Follow Me magazine.
Use the menu options on the left to answer some common travel concerns and for more sightseeing options.
The family-oriented Portuguese welcome children everywhere and there are
plenty of opportunities in and around Lisbon to keeps kids entertained.
