Lisbon with children: a guide

Nobody gets bored in this capital city, that is for sure. Especially not children. Between the Museums of Lisbon and the entertainment, there is plenty on offer in terms of quantity and variety, not to mention all you can do outdoors, thanks to the Portuguese climate. We prepared a guide of things to do in Lisbon with the kids.

The capital of Portugal is a cosmopolitan city and has plenty of fun in store for everyone. We prepared a guide for you to plan what to do in Lisbon with children. 

 

Riding the cable car in the Parque das Nações

cable car

If you want a brilliant birds-eye view of Lisbon, nothing beats a ride on the cable car with the children. Currently known as the Telecabine Lisboa, it commands an excellent view over the Tagus, the Vasco da Gama Bridge and the buildings of the Parque das Nações. And everything looks so small from up above. 

Opening hours: Every day, 11h00 to 18.00
Tickets: From 3€ (ages 4 to 12, one way) to 6.50€ (adults, return)

 

Visiting the traditional Lisbon neighbourhoods in a tuk tuk

Tuk tuk

This is a great way to visit the traditional and historic neighbourhoods of Lisbon, especially with younger children. The tuk tuk arrived in Portugal recently, but it’s here to stay and it can be lots of fun to enjoy one of the tours, listening to the guide’s stories about each of the neighbourhoods you go through. There are plenty of companies running them and a number of different routes you can choose from.

 

Climbing up to the 25 April Bridge Belevedere

It is called the Pillar 7 Experience and it will take you to a level that was previously reserved for automobiles crossing from one bank of the Tagus to the other.

At around 80 meters high, it commands a breath-taking view over Lisbon. But it gets better: this experience will also give you the opportunity to watch immersive videos and, through virtual reality, follow one of the maintenance technicians all the way to the highest point of all. Quite the adventure, especially if you are in Lisbon with children, of course. 

 

Opening hours: Every day from 10h00 to 18h00 (last admission at 17h30)
Tickets: From 3.50€ (ages six to 15) to 5€ (adults)

 

Visiting the buses in the Carris Museum

From the old trams to the most charismatic buses that ever rode the streets of Lisbon, the Carris Museum  takes you the closest you’ll come to time-travelling, offering a course on the history of public transport in the Portuguese capital.

If you are in Lisbon with children, then they will have a blast seeing the earliest trams or the impressive double-decker buses. 

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10h00 to 13h00 and 14h00 to 18h00 (last admission at 12h30 and 17h00)
Tickets: From 2.50€ (ages six to 18) to 4.50€ (adults)

 

Karting

Karting

How about a karting race in Lisbon? This could be the ideal solution for a fun morning or afternoon with the children. The Kartodrome of Odivelas offers truly unforgettable moments and plenty of adrenaline!

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10h00 to 19h00 (summer) and 10h00 to 18h00 (winter)
Tickets: From 16€ (10 minutes solo) to 27€ (20 minutes in a two-seater)

 

Visiting the Educational Farm of the Olivais

Farm

In Lisbon you can visit the countryside without leaving the city, for a fun and educational outing with the children. At the Quinta Pedagógica dos Olivais you can see the farm animals and put your little city children in touch with nature.

There are cows, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, birds, rabbits and other animals at this farm which stretches out over two kilometres, bringing back to life a series of rural traditions, from north to south of the country. Enjoy the fruit groves and the vegetable gardens and, if you like, learn to make bread and sweets. 

Opening hours: From Tuesday to Friday, 9h00 to 17h30; Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, from 10h00 to 17h30.
Tickets: Free admission (participation in activities requires booking in advance)

 

Rowing in the Lake of the Campo Grande Garden

The Campo Grande Garden is an oasis in the middle of Lisbon and for a while now it has offered visitors the chance to go out on rowboats. The lake is not too big, but this is still a fantastic and original experience for people visiting Lisbon with their children.

For this service make your way to the Lake House, on the Northern side of the Garden, near the University compound.

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10h00 to 19h00 (winter) and 10h00 to 23h00 (summer)
Tickets: From 5€ (half-hour) to 8€ (one hour)

 

Learning Science at the Pavillion of Knowledge

The Pavillion of Knowledge always has extensive, diverse and very creative exhibitions on for its visitors. This is a great way to get children interested in science. 

Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 10h00 to 18h00; Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 11h00 to 19h00
Tickets: From 7€ (Ages 3 to 7) to 10€ (adults)

 

Visit the Ajuda Palace  and see how the kings lived

Walk the halls that used to host luxurious receptions, poke your head into the royal bedrooms and take a journey through time to learn more about Portugal’s history, and see how the kings used to live. An excellent idea for a fun-filled afternoon in Lisbon with the children!

Opening hours: Every day, 10h00 to 18h00 (last admission at 17h30)
Tickets: 5€ (for over 12-year-olds)

 

See the wild animals at the Lisbon Zoo

A visit to this charismatic spot is a joy for everyone, children or adults. The Lisbon Zoo allows its visitors to learn all about a variety of species and also alerts them to the importance of conservation of the natural world, for a sustainable future. 

Opening hours: Every day from 10h00 to 18h00 (winter) and 10h00 to 20h00 (summer)
Tickets: From 14.50€ (ages 3 to 12) to 22.50€ (adults)

 

Bowling

Spread out over around two thousand square meters, located in the massive Colombo Shopping Mall, the Bowling City’s 12 lanes are guaranteed to offer your children a great time. Make the most of it, pitch some balls and have a ball yourself at one of Lisbon’s hot spots for children’s fun.

Opening hours: Every day, 11h00 to 20h00
Prices: From 3.80€ (children up to 12) to 6€ (over 12 on Fridays, holidays and days before holidays, after 19h00)

 

See how the royals got around at the National Coach Museum

There are some real works of art in this museum, that will take you back in time to the days of the monarchy and provide loads of fun for children in Lisbon. With its impressive collection of royal coaches and carriages from the XVI to the XX Century, the National Coach Museum is guaranteed to delight your kids and light the spark to want to learn even more about the topic. 

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10h00 to 17h00
Tickets: 8€

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