Are you preparing for your family holiday in Portugal? You couldn’t have chosen a better place. From golden sand beaches, secluded coves, colourful streets, and fresh pastéis de nata to historical spots and stunning views, Portugal makes the perfect family destination.
And we are about to make your trip even easier with our tried and tested travel hacks.
Arriving in Portugal
The majority of places have a priority queue for families with small children, pregnant women, women, or the elderly. This includes the passport control queues!
Late-night or early morning landing? Most stores close by 9 PM and open at 9 AM, so either pre-pack your essentials, including diapers, snacks & water or use our on-demand baby gear delivery.
Uber and Bolt are widely used in Portugal and are often cheaper than taxis, so download the app before flying to save yourself some money.
When renting a car in Portugal, compare prices at both airport and city rental locations – you’ll often find better rates outside the airport. Save time by using pre-check-in services to avoid long queues at rental counters.
Important safety note: U.S. car seats aren’t legally approved for use in Europe. Airline baggage handling can also damage seats, compromising their safety. For guaranteed protection, rent a certified European car seat from a trusted local provider like ours (hint: that’s us!). This ensures your child travels safely while avoiding potential fines for non-compliant equipment.
Lisbon Airport is connected with the city via Metro (red line), and in peak time it is quicker to use the metro to get to the city centre. It takes around 25 minutes and arrives at São Sebastião. You can also change and major stations to reach Chiado, Rato and Cais de Sodre.
When In Lisbon
Looking for the best playgrounds? Use our handy Google Maps list and find the perfect spot for your child to enjoy some free time while you sip a lemonade at the nearby quioque.
If you are set to try Lisbon’s iconic trams, queue early (before 9 AM) to avoid crowds. Kids under 4 ride free!
You can also opt for a different line that takes a different route but uses the same iconic trams. Trams #12, #15, or #24 are cheaper and less crowded.
Priority boarding: Families with small kids get first access on buses and metros. Most tourists don’t know it, so you might have to try to make your way to the front.
If you are using a stroller, use this handy Google Maps hack: When selecting a route, go into Options (three dots in the top right corner) and choose the “wheelchair accessible” option – it will choose routes that avoid stairs.
Don’t be misled by the weather forecasts. Although Portugal is a hot country, evenings can get chilly, especially in Porto. Make sure you have extra layers with you.
Historical cities in Portugal often feature hills, cobblestones, and stairs, so it’s advisable to wear comfortable shoes.
Portugal is generally safe; however, pickpocketing occasionally happens, especially in busy tourist areas. Ensure your belongings are safe by avoiding the use of backpacks and back pockets for storing valuables. Instead, invest in a secure cross-body bag or waist bag.
Apps to Download Before You Go
- Uber/Bolt – More affordable than taxis and available to book via phone app!
- Uber Eats/Bolt Food – Tired? Eat in!
- Too Good To Go – Discounted surplus groceries and meals (eco-friendly!)
- CP (Comboios de Portugal) – Book trains & check schedules if you are travelling to Porto or the Algarve
- DeepL – Best for Portuguese translations
- Offline Google Maps – No data? No problem!
Portugal is the perfect destination for family travel, so have fun and enjoy this beautiful destination and get ready for a stress-free, unforgettable adventure.
