Olga lifting her daughter under bougainvillea on a tiled terrace in Lisbon

Destination guide

Portugal with kids

We've been to Portugal 4 times now with our two kids, from North to South. It's one of the most kid-friendly countries in the world, and here's everything we'd tell a friend.

Our favourite family trip in Europe ✈

Trips so far4 (and counting)

Where we wentLisbon · Porto · Algarve

Best timeMay and September

Getting thereOvernight flight from Toronto

Start here

Our Portugal guides

Itinerary24 hours in LisbonTried-and-tested itinerary to help you make the most of your time.Read →

Destination guideThe AlgarveStunning beaches, family-friendly attractions and that laid-back Portuguese vibe.Read →

Destination guidePortoRefreshingly compact, with a more relaxed vibe.Read →

Hotel reviewMartinhal Quinta do LagoFive nights at a luxury family golf resort over March Break.Read →

Why we keep going back

Why Portugal works so well with kids

Families are welcome everywhere

Playgrounds everywhereParks on every corner and play spaces at restaurants, so the kids always have somewhere to burn off energy.
Kids skip the lineA priority law lets pregnant women and young children skip the line almost everywhere.
The friendliest localsThere's a general acceptance and love for families that you feel the moment you land.
Martinhal family hotelsWe've stayed at four of them, two in Lisbon and two in the Algarve. Nothing beats them.

Where we stayed