lots of great tips above. we loved lisbon with kids. we did rent a car and drove down to sagres and stayed in a family friendly resort that we thought was great - martinhal beach resort.

We've taken 3 then 4 kids to Portugal and explored from Porto through Lisbon and the surrounds, the Alentejo region and the Algarve. They LOVE Portugal and ask to go back repeatedly!

OP here- thanks for the feedback!! Definitely sounds like a trip to consider. We had previously considered switzerland and paris but I'm concerned that my kids can't handle it. Not sure about switzerland but in Paris they like children but only in certain spaces and if they are meticulously well-behaved. 2 years in a pandemic with young kids who have had limited socialization....yeah, that's not a realistic expectation to place on them. Portugal might be a good option for us to spread our "international wings" lol.

Thanks

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What airport is that from?

Not OP but we flew out of IAD to Lisbon. We used Expedia got an apartment (there are a lot of companies that own buildings) as part of a package. It was a really cheap trip overall and this was back in Fall 2019. I can imagine it's gotten cheaper as countries try to woo tourists back.

PP here, I was looking for cheap flights too! I found them- they are into Porto, not Lisbon, so I’m going to book a trip too!

Lisbon is one of, if not the most, family friendly place we have visited. They insisted that families go to the front of the line at museums and restaurants. They truly went out of their way to make families feel welcome. We loved it. Great historical sites, amazing aquarium, great food.

Stay away from Lisbon airport. Read the news.

We took our kids when they were slightly older and had a wonderful time- one of the best trips. The food is amazing and it's a beautiful city. We spend 4 nights in Lisboa and 3 nights in Sintra so we have more flexibility in seeing the sites there.

There is a wonderful aquarium for kids their age.

Anonymous wrote:We went to Benagil Beach in Southern Portugal. We stopped in London on the way and took a day to be tourists there.

We spent four days just at the beach there with a six year old and ten year old. That was mostly because we knew our kids would do better with just staying in one place.

We took a train to a nearby city and then a taxi to the actual house.

I meant to mention that people LOVED our kids. They were so nice to them. We enjoyed visiting.

We went to Benagil Beach in Southern Portugal. We stopped in London on the way and took a day to be tourists there.

We spent four days just at the beach there with a six year old and ten year old. That was mostly because we knew our kids would do better with just staying in one place.

We took a train to a nearby city and then a taxi to the actual house.

I would recommend Sintra -- take your kids to the Castle of the Moors: https://www.sintra-portugal.com/Attractions/Castle-Moors-Sintra.html

and maybe Quinta de Regalaria: http://www.regaleira.pt/en.

From Lisbon you can take a train to Sintra and then there is tourist bus loop that takes you to all the sights. Be warned it is a popular destination and gets very hot and crowded. Go as early as you can and hit the Castle of the Moors first, which is a nice hike. It's super cool.

Same thing with the castle in Lisbon, It's really fun, you can see peacocks roosting in the tree, and it is very kid friendly. https://lisbonlisboaportugal.com/Alfama-Lisbon/lisbon-castle-st-george.html.

Plan your outings early in the day, rest during the midday heat, and go out again the in the evenings.

You don't need a car; the subway is great and taxis are very cheap.

I flew along with my 2 kids there when they were 11 and 6. We stayed in Lisboa 2 days, then did a day trip to Sintra. Took a day trip to surf on the beach. Then took a train to Porto and stayed there for a week. We did a lot of day trips from there. We also traveled there with my husband and stayed in the adult only resort Six Senses in Duoro Valley, it is very relaxing.

Anonymous wrote:What airport is that from?

Not OP but we flew out of IAD to Lisbon. We used Expedia got an apartment (there are a lot of companies that own buildings) as part of a package. It was a really cheap trip overall and this was back in Fall 2019. I can imagine it's gotten cheaper as countries try to woo tourists back.

What airport is that from?

We are not an outdoorsy family so not sure if this will help you. We did Portugal with a 6 yo and went in November. We only went to Lisbon (although I desperately wanted to go to Porto) and didn't rent a car as it is a very walkable city and we are walkers. Also, frankly driving was crazy with all the tuk tuks. We did an excellent city tour via the tuk tuk. Also, some walking tours. We did an organized small group tour to Sintra.

We had a delightful time and would go Portugal again, mainly so I could go to Porto.

Talk to me about going to Portugal with kids. I have kids 4&7. We’d be going in July. Depending on what else my family does, we’d go for a week or two. Looks like tickets are under $500 rt for a nonstop flight, heck yes!

Would you go? Where would you go in Portugal? Rent a car? We are an outdoorsy family.