🎤 Episode Overview
We just got back from nine nights in Portugal with the kids for spring break, and this episode is the full debrief. I’m covering our complete Lisbon and Porto itinerary, a night in Cascais after a Sintra day trip, navigating Celiac disease in Portugal, our private Douro Valley day trip, and the honest take on which city we liked better (spoiler: Porto won, and it wasn’t close).
I also share what we’d do differently — including a few logistics lessons from our chaotic travel home — and links to every tour, hotel, and resource we used. This is the kind of episode you’ll want to come back to when you’re in planning mode.
🎧 Listen to This Episode
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🗺️ Episode Highlights & Timestamps
- 0:00 – Introduction
- 4:00 – Lisbon with kids — the full rundown
- 17:30 – Sintra and Cascais day trip
- 21:00 – Jewish history tour and Day 5 in Lisbon
- 23:30 – Porto with kids
- 27:00 – Douro Valley private day trip
- 28:30 – Wrapping up
🇵🇹 Planning & Logistics in This Episode
Lisbon with Kids
Lisbon is hilly, charming, and genuinely kid-friendly if you pace it right. We hit it across the first several days of the trip and found the city rewards a slow approach — take the tram, wander the neighborhoods, and don’t try to see everything. Highlights for us included a 2-hour tuk tuk tour (great orientation to the city without the walking), a Lisbon food tour, and the Oceanário de Lisboa, which is one of the best aquariums in Europe.
The earthquake museum Quake Lisbon was an unexpected hit with the kids — it simulates the 1755 Lisbon earthquake and gives real historical context for the city’s layout and architecture. For older kids, it’s excellent.
Sintra and Cascais
We did Sintra as a day trip with a private guide, which I’d strongly recommend over doing it independently — parking is a nightmare in summer and the lines at major sites like Pena Palace can be brutal without advance reservation strategy. We stayed the night in Cascais afterward, which is a much more relaxed seaside town and a nice change of pace from Lisbon.
Worth noting: Sintra has timed entry requirements at its major sites. Plan well in advance.
- Private Sintra day trip
- Pena Palace Park and/or Interior — book timed entry in advance
- Moorish Castle in Sintra
- Hotel Baia, Cascais — nice coastal option for the overnight
The Jewish History Tour in Lisbon
One of the most meaningful experiences of the trip for our family was the Jewish Lisbon tour, which covers the history of the Jewish community in Lisbon across the centuries — including the Inquisition, the forced conversions, and the hidden synagogues. It was thoughtfully done and age-appropriate for our kids. This one’s a personal highlight I’d recommend to any family with Jewish heritage or interest in the history.
Porto vs. Lisbon: The Honest Take
The whole family preferred Porto. It’s smaller, more walkable, has more character per square foot, and the food was extraordinary. If you’re only doing one city, I’d honestly say Porto. If you’re doing both, do Lisbon first and end in Porto — it’s a satisfying upgrade.
Highlights in Porto included a tile painting workshop (genuinely fun for all ages), visiting the iconic Livraria Lello bookshop, and wandering the Ribeira waterfront. We stayed at LĂbere Porto Laranjais, which was a great apartment-style option with kitchen access.
Douro Valley Day Trip
We did a private day trip into the Douro Valley wine country, and even though the adults were the main audience for the wine component, the scenery was spectacular for everyone. The terraced vineyards along the river are genuinely one of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve seen in Europe. The Daytrip private day trip was well run and worth the cost.
Celiac Disease in Portugal
Portugal was ok for Celiac but not great. Grilled fish and meat with potatoes is the backbone of the cuisine and naturally gluten-free, but some restaurants were less accommodating than we’d hoped.
🇵🇹 Common Questions About Portugal with Kids
How many days do you need in Portugal?
Nine nights was about right for us doing Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais, and Porto. You could compress to 7–8 days if needed, but I wouldn’t go shorter than that if you want to see both cities properly.
Should you do Lisbon or Porto first?
Lisbon first, Porto second. You’ll end on the high note.
Is Portugal easy with kids?
Yes — it’s one of the most family-friendly countries in Europe. The pace is relaxed, the food is good and relatively kid-accommodating, and the Portuguese are genuinely warm with children. It’s also significantly more affordable than France, Italy, or Spain, which makes the budget go further.
đź“š Resources Mentioned
Tours & Experiences
2-hour Lisbon tuk tuk tour
Lisbon food tour
Quake Lisbon
Oceanário de Lisboa
Private Sintra day trip
Pena Palace Park and/or Interior
Moorish Castle in Sintra
Jewish Lisbon tour
Daytrip – Douro Valley private day trip
Tile painting workshop in Porto
Livraria Lello in Porto
Where to Stay
Hyatt Regency LisbonÂ
Hotel Baia, Cascais
LĂbere Porto Laranjais
Resources
Portugal With Kids Itinerary
Best Things to Do in Lisbon With Kids
Where to Stay in Lisbon With Kids
Where to Stay in Porto With Kids
How to visit Portugal on Points
Books
The Girl with the Secret Name
Rick Steves Portugal