Lisbon with Kids
A five-million-litre aquarium, a castle with peacocks wandering the grounds, and a cable car gliding over the river, the version of Lisbon that actually works with children in tow.
Lisbon works well with kids in tow, several of its best sights are hands-on or just plain fun by design, and the trams add a proper novelty to getting around. Here’s how I’d spend a family day here.
Oceanário de Lisboa
Widely one of the best aquariums in the world, home to over 8,000 marine creatures including sharks, rays and sea otters around a central five-million-litre tank. Allow at least two to three hours to see it properly.
São Jorge Castle
Beyond the panoramic views, the castle grounds are genuinely fun to wander with kids, peacocks roam freely and the ramparts offer plenty of exploring. A proper full morning out that doubles as the city’s best viewpoint.
Tram 28 and the funiculars
A properly novel way to get around with kids, Tram 28’s rattling ride through the old neighbourhoods and the city’s funiculars climbing the steep hills both add a genuine sense of adventure to getting between sights.
Pavilhão do Conhecimento
A properly interactive science museum in Parque das Nações, hands-on exhibits across physics, biology and technology. Genuinely built for touching everything, and an easy pairing with the nearby Oceanário for a full day out.
Cable car over the Tagus
The Telecabine Lisboa offers a properly memorable ride over the riverfront in Parque das Nações, sweeping views for a fraction of the cost of most attractions. A good, active break from a day of walking and museums.
Where to eat with kids
A pastel de nata is genuinely the easiest, most reliable win with kids, cheap and available at nearly every bakery in the city. Time Out Market, a food hall gathering some of Lisbon’s best chefs under one roof, works well for families too, plenty of variety in one sitting.
A few practical notes
Lisbon is genuinely hilly, worth planning routes around funiculars and elevators rather than steep inclines with a stroller. The metro is efficient and affordable, and a family day ticket is worth it over paying per journey.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
