Lisbon is a fantastic city to visit: it’s great for couples and groups of friends, but it’s also great for families! At first glance, you may not think there’s much to keep the kids entertained, but look a little closer and you’ll soon realise there’s plenty more than you think. Check out our best things to do in Lisbon with the kids below!
Hippotrip
Some visitors swear by visiting a destination by foot whilst others think that there’s no better way to witness it than by seeing it from the water, but what if you could have the best of both? With Hippotrip, that’s exactly what you can expect! The company supplying the tour operates an amphibious custom-built vehicle which tours the city centre before heading to Belem and driving down a ramp and into the River Tagus. Expect lots of surprises and something a little different. This is definitely one of the top things for kids to do in Lisbon!
Castelo de São Jorge
If your little one loves castles, then head to Castelo de São Jorge. It’s open seven days a week and provides spectacular views of the city. There’s even a 360° obscura camera that will provide you with panoramic views of Lisbon. Although a lot of the castle was severely damaged in 1775 after an earthquake, it’s still amazing to see and a lot of it is still in-tact!
KidZania
This is definitely something to get up to on a rainy day or if you want some time out of the sun. KidZania is located in the biggest shopping centre of the Iberian Peninsula. It’s essentially a theme park for the little ones where they play pretend to be adults. They have their own “kidzos” (KidZania’s fictional currency) to look after and spend, they can choose their own career and visit their workplace – whether that be a fire station, courthouse, radio and television studio or even the car repair shop! If you’re stuck on what to do in Lisbon with kids, then KidZania should definitely be on your list.
Telecabine (cable car)
The telecabine, or cable car runs above the edge of the Tagus River at Parque das Nacoes and provides stunning views of the city’s park area and also of the huge estuary! It runs for a total of around 20 minutes and you’ll get the chance to see the MEO Arena, the Oceanarium and the stunning Vasco da Gama tower. This is a great thing to do in Lisbon with the kids and gives them the opportunity to see the city from a completely unique angle.
Jamor adventure park
Jamor Adventure Park is an excellent activity to do in Lisbon with children. it’s located just 15 minutes outside of the city by car and is designed to help you get off your feet (literally) and into the trees! You can expect a fun-filled adventure on an obstacle course of hanging bridges, ropes, nets, tunnels and zip lines; you’ll move from tree to tree while you’re safely harnessed in and always accompanied by fully trained instructors. It makes for a great day out and will create memories that will last a lifetime!
Tramcar Tour
If you want to make sure you see all of Lisbon then the best way to get around with children is to hop on one of the sightseeing trams, which will take you around all of Lisbon’s historic monuments to make sure you don’t miss a beat! When you buy a ticket, it’s valid for 24 hours and you can hop on or hop off anywhere you want, which is great when you’re travelling with children.
Pavillion of Knowledge
If education is on your mind when deciding what to do in Lisbon with children, then look no further than the Science Alive Centre in the Pavillion of Knowledge. It’s a fascinating centre that’s filled with modules and exhibits that will engage the kid’s minds while they learn about physics and science. They can visit a kitchen where pots and pans are replaced by test tubes and youngsters can find out more about molecular gastronomy or even how jam is preserved! It’s a great day out and a fantastic option for a rainy day.
Oceanario de Lisboa
There are so many attractions for kids in Lisbon but the Oceanario de Lisboa may well top them all. The Oceanarium is divided into four large tanks which represent the four different oceans around the world and there’s also a massive central tank. The central tank is seven metres deep and allows pelagic swimmers to swim above the bottom dwellers, providing the illusion of an open ocean. There are around 100 species from around the world that are kept in the central tank, including sharks, rays, chimaeras, tuna, barracudas, moray eels and also the main attraction, a large sunfish. It definitely shouldn’t be missed!
There’s so much to do in Lisbon with kids, but hopefully we’ve given you some ideas to get started! Where’s your favourite place to go in Lisbon with your children? Let us know in the comments or get in touch on Facebook or Twitter!
