Portugal with Kids: 8 Days Lisbon–Sintra–Coast

Portugal wasn’t always on our radar for a family trip—until a friend raved about how walkable Lisbon was with a stroller and how he found a baby changing table inside a 500-year-old monastery. That was my tipping point. Fast-forward a few months: my wife, two kids (ages 3 and 6), and I set off for an 8-day loop through Lisbon, Sintra, and the nearby coast. Here’s our honest, step-by-step itinerary, including the things we wish we’d known.

Why Portugal Works for Families (and a Few Cautions)

If you’re juggling nap times, snack emergencies, and the ever-present stroller, Portugal is surprisingly manageable. The main cities are compact, public transit is stroller-friendly (with a few caveats), and the locals, in our experience, genuinely smiled at our sleep-deprived chaos.

But: Lisbon is hilly—seriously hilly. Think San Francisco, but with more cobblestones. Don’t skimp on the stroller wheels.

“Bring a rain cover even in June. Our third afternoon in Lisbon turned into a splash zone, and our youngest took a nap under a plastic poncho.”

Day-by-Day Family Itinerary: 8 Days Lisbon–Sintra–Coast

Here’s the route we took, nap windows, rain plans, and stroller notes—all from our own trial and error.

Day 1: Arrival in Lisbon

Transit: Airport metro is easy, elevators available. UberXL for family luggage is about €15–20 to central Lisbon.
Kid break: Jardim do Torel park near Avenida is shady and has a playground. Perfect for jetlagged toddlers.
Rain plan: Explore Time Out Market indoors. Kids can nap in the stroller while you grab pastries.
Cost: Metro €1.65/person, snacks €10.

Day 2: Lisbon Old Town (Baixa & Alfama)

Morning: Early tram ride (Tram 28) to avoid crowds. Fold stroller to board. Under-6s ride free.
Snack stop: Fabrica da Nata for pastel de nata—high chairs and a changing table inside.
Afternoon: Miradouro de Santa Luzia for views. There’s a flat, shaded plaza for a crawling break.
Nap-friendly: Alfama’s winding streets = stroller nap heaven. Use a carrier for steps.
Cost: Tram €1.50/adult with Viva Viagem card, pastries €6.

Day 3: Belém District

Quick metro to Cais do Sodré, then tram or bus to Belém. Elevators at stations, but trams are crowded after 10am.
Kid stop: Jardim de Belém has a big playground and shade. Clean public restrooms with changing tables.
Rain plan: MAAT Museum is interactive and stroller-accessible.
Stroller note: Jerónimos Monastery is mostly ramp-accessible, but some cobblestones at the entrance.
Cost: Transport €7, museum €10/adult, kids free.

Day 4: Lisbon Parks & Kid Cafés

Morning: Eduardo VII Park—giant playground, café with babyccinos, tons of space to run.
Bonus: Estufa Fria (greenhouse) is stroller-friendly and magical if it’s raining.
Lunch: Nicolau Café—kids’ menu, high chairs, and coloring books.
Cost: Park free, Estufa Fria €3/adult, café €20–25 for lunch.

Day 5: Sintra Day Trip

Train: Direct from Rossio station, 40 min, €2.25 each way. Stroller access at both ends.
Tip: Consider a carrier for Pena Palace—strollers must be parked outside, and it’s a LOT of stairs.
Rain plan: Museu do Brinquedo (Toy Museum) in Sintra town center.
Food: Café Saudade—spacious, high chairs, kid portions.
Cost: Train €9 total, palace €14/adult, under-6s free.

Day 6: Sintra to Cascais (Coast)

Transit: Bus 403 to Cabo da Roca (Europe’s westernmost point) then onward to Cascais. Fold stroller on bus.
Kid highlight: Guincho Beach—wide, sandy, and shallow for paddling. Watch for wind.
Rain plan: House of Stories Paula Rego—engaging for kids, quiet nooks for naps.
Cost: Bus €4, snacks €12.

Day 7: Cascais & Estoril

Walk: Paved promenade between Cascais and Estoril is flat, stroller-perfect.
Playground: Parque Marechal Carmona—huge, shaded, with a duck pond and café.
Rain plan: Visit the tiny Museu do Mar (Maritime Museum).
Café: Sacolinha—baked goods, kid drinks, tolerant staff.
Cost: Free except café (€15).

Day 8: Back to Lisbon or Airport

Train: Cascais to Lisbon Cais do Sodré—40 min, stroller space available.
Time buffer: Allow extra time if flying out; security lines can be unpredictable with kids.
Airport: Family security lane, nursing rooms, and play zone by Gate 41.
Cost: Train €7, snacks €10.

Transit & Stroller Cheat Sheet

Transit Mode	Stroller Friendly?	Kid Tickets	Notes
Metro	Yes (elevators at most stations)	Under 4 free	Some stations have long elevator waits
Tram	Yes, but fold stroller	Under 6 free	Gets crowded after 10am
Train	Yes	Under 4 free	Wide doors, ramps at main stations
Bus	Fold stroller required	Under 4 free	Drivers will help if you ask
Uber/Bolt	Yes (request XL for car seat/luggage)	Depends on driver	Car seat laws not always enforced

Rainy Day Backup Ideas

Lisbon: Oceanário de Lisboa (aquarium), Pavilion of Knowledge (science museum), Estufa Fria (botanical greenhouse)
Sintra: Toy Museum, Vila Sassetti indoor maze
Cascais: House of Stories Paula Rego, Museu do Mar

Tip: Most museums in Portugal allow strollers, but double-check for ramps or ask at the door. Staff were generally accommodating.

Kid-Friendly Cafés We Loved

Nicolau Café, Lisbon: Reliable kids’ menu, high chairs, and toys.
Café Saudade, Sintra: Big tables, friendly to families, coloring books on request.
Sacolinha, Cascais: Fast service, babyccinos, and always a little noise (so you won’t stand out).
Time Out Market, Lisbon: High energy, lots of food stalls, and space to wheel a stroller between tables.

Budget Breakdown for 8 Days (Family of 4)

Item	Per Day	Total (8 days)
Accommodation (2-bed Airbnb)	€120	€960
Transport (metro, train, bus, Uber)	€20	€160
Food (groceries, cafés, restaurants)	€40	€320
Attractions & museums	€15	€120
Miscellaneous (snacks, playgrounds, rain gear)	€5	€40
Total	€200	€1,600

Note: Portugal isn’t as “cheap” as it was pre-pandemic, but it’s still good value compared to Western Europe. You can shave costs by cooking a few meals or staying further from city centers.

Quick Checklist: What to Pack & Prep

Light stroller with big wheels (cobblestone-proof)
Carrier for stairs and palace visits
Rain cover for stroller (even in summer!)
Viva Viagem transit cards (buy at airport or metro station)
Reusable water bottles—public fountains everywhere
Snacks, wipes, and a backup set of clothes (for everyone, trust me)
Download the Bolt and Uber apps for taxis
Book skip-the-line tickets for major attractions, especially Sintra
Offline Google Maps of Lisbon, Sintra, and Cascais

Helpful Links & Tools

We learned to embrace the slower pace—sometimes, the best memories came from an unplanned gelato stop or letting the kids chase pigeons in a random plaza. Portugal is forgiving that way.

Traveling Portugal with kids is doable, rewarding, and—if you plan for the hills and the rain—honestly a lot of fun. Don’t overthink it. Just bring snacks, a sense of humor, and maybe a poncho.

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Why Portugal Works for Families (and a Few Cautions)