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We’ll stake our claim: Portugal is a top contender for a first European trip with kids. It’s easy to love, easy to navigate, and packed with family-friendly charm.
To start, Portugal is the closest European getaway from the U.S. and direct flights from the East Coast make the journey a breeze. Portugal’s perfect mild Mediterranean climate means high chances of good weather year-round.
Despite its small size, a wide variety of experiences await on your Portugal family vacation. Explore castles, palaces, and historic sites in Lisbon. From there, venture to the Algarve’s soft, sandy, and calm beaches; enjoy the slow pace of the Alentejo countryside; take in the old-world charm and port wines of Porto; or wind through the vineyards along the Douro Valley.
The Portuguese lifestyle is welcoming and relaxed, and you’ll find that everywhere you go, arms open wide for kids in Portugal. Plan your Portugal family trip now for the European charm that feels both delightful and easy with kids.
Portugal was our first European destination with kids, and we fell in love. Lisbon was a delight, but our countryside stay in Alentejo really took the cake. We slowed down and found that even with kids in tow we could enjoy the wine, stunning views, and fine-dining. Our kids still remember playing hide-and-seek behind our Alentejo estate’s original foundation walls, and of course they remember the car inside the breakfast restaurant at our Lisbon family hotel. If you’re thinking of a Portugal trip with kids, take me back with you!
A stunning coastline, historic castles and palaces, and delicious wine
Portuguese is the most widely spoken language in Portugal.
Euros
Portugal is a compact country, just 350 miles from top to bottom. Its small size makes it easy to start in Lisbon and then reach a second destination – either Porto, the Alentejo region, or the Algarve – in under 3 hours. Warm and laid-back, you’ll feel the unhurried pace of Portugal no matter which region you visit.
Getting around Portugal with kids is easy. Major cities like Lisbon and Porto have trams, buses and metro systems, and fun options like funiculars and tuk-tuks. A car rental is the way to go for exploring beyond the cities. Driving is straightforward, with smooth, easy-to-navigate highways connecting most regions.
Pick one city and one countryside or beach destination. Don’t try to cram too much in. In Lisbon or Porto, pick a central hotel for easy exploration on foot. For your beach or countryside side stay, choose one of our favorite immersive hotels with incredible experiences designed with children in mind.
Peak Season: June to August
Shoulder Season: April to May & September to October
No Go: There isn’t one! The fantastic weather makes a family trip to Portugal great year-round, although keep in mind that during November to March, there may be limited hours for some attractions.
There are direct flights to Lisbon from many major U.S. cities, including New York, DC, and Miami. If you’d rather head straight to Faro (Southern) or Porto (Northern), both have direct flights from New York
Portugal is the perfect country to dip your toes into European travel with kids. With so much to explore, you’ll want to keep coming back.
You could spend dozens of hours researching your trip. Or you could have a family travel expert curate your personalized itinerary. What’s stopping you?
*Please note that some of the suggested actives are affiliate links. We only recommend activities that we know and trust.
* Please note that some of these product links are affiliate links, but we only recommend products we would use on our own travels.
Here, We dropped a pin (because no one likes asking for directions)
Trish, Family of 6 (Spring Break 2024)
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