Ready to explore the Portuguese capital but unsure about the essential things to do in Lisbon with kids? As any capitals of Europe, Lisbon has a lot to offer in terms of museums, historical sites, exhibitions and activities overall. But what are the essential attractions in Lisbon to do with children? Lisbon is a popular city break for British families, thanks to its mild climate, beautiful architecture and great restaurants. However, the Portuguese city is hilly, so best not to attempt it with a pram – pack the baby backpack instead.

By the way, if you plan to use public transport extensively whilst visiting Lisbon, we can’t recommend enough to purchase in advance the Lisbon card which lasts for 24, 48 or even 72 hours. It is a good option to save money on museums entrance fees and much more.

So let’s explore what are the great things to do with kids in Lisbon for your next visit:


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1. Lisbon Oceanarium – Oceanário de Lisboa

With over 1.3m visitors last year, the Lisbon Oceanarium is a must-see during your next visit in Lisbon. It has been recently voted the world’s best aquarium according to TripAdvisor 2018 Traveller’s Choice survey. It also exhibits an incredible temporary exhibition called “Forests Underwater’ by Takashi Amano which features tropical forests inside a 130m3 aquarium with more than 10,000 tropical fresh water fish of 40 different species. The venue also organises sleep overs with sharks but you need to book well in advance.

Opening Times: Summer Time (until 27th October) from 10am until 8pm and Winter Time (from 28th October until 29th March) from 10am until 7pm

Address: Esplanada Dom Carlos I s/nº, 1990-005 Lisboa, Portugal

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BabyBreaks Tip: on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, families with kids under 5 can listen to a Fado concert at 9am. You can book the paid session here. Every Saturday at 9am you can also book your tickets to attend  an interactive morning concert.

2. Puppets Museum – Museu da Marioneta

Museu da Marioneta is the only Puppets Museum in Portugal where you learn about the history of Portuguese puppets.

They recently added African and South East collections so you can really appreciate the diversity of this underrated art. Different workshops are also available for adults and children. You can see their upcoming family events here.

Opening Times: Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 6pm

Free admittance on holidays mornings and Sunday mornings (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 pm)

Closed on Mondays, 1 January, 1 May, 24, 25 December and 31 December (afternoon)

Address: Rua da Esperança 146, 1200-660 Lisboa, Portugal

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3. Belém Tower – Torre de Belém

The Belém Tower is one the prime landmarks of Lisbon that you need to see it at least from the outside. On weekends, you can easily queue for one hour to go up to the Tower so be prepared to be patient with your kids. The view from the top is beautiful but again to reach there, you need to climb up narrow steep steps so maybe not so practical for young kids. While you are in the area, make a stop to the famous Pastéis de Belém .

Opening Times: Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 5pm. Closed on Monday

Address: Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisboa, Portugal

4. Navy Museum – Museu de Marinha

The Navy Museum of Lisbon is a great alternative choice of overcrowded places like the Monastery. It’s also has the Wow factor with the kids because of the huge vessels they can see inside the museum and also a children’s area. So if you want to learn about the famous Portuguese explorers like Vasco de Gama or Magellan, don’t hesitate to spend an hour or two at this museum.

Opening Times: Open Daily from 10am until 6pm from 1 May until 30 September

Open Daily from 10am until 5pm from 1 October until 30 April

Closed on 1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May and 25 December

Address: Praça do Império, 1400-206 Lisboa, Portugal

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5. KidZania Lisbon

The City for Kids concept originated from Mexico has expended in Europe with the opening of KidZania Lisbon in 2009. It is located in one of the biggest shopping centre in Europe called Dolce Vita Tejo. KidZania, one the best kids attractions in Lisbon allows your kids to wander around a theme park where they learn to do different jobs and earn money with their own city currency called KidZos. They can also spend their money on different attractions like a tour bus or getting a make up. This attraction will entertain your kids for 4 hours in a very secured area since your kids will be with wristbands and won’t be allowed outside the park without adults. One of our favourite attractions for children in Lisbon for sure.

Are you ready to see your child play and pretend to be a policeman, a burrito cook or plane pilot?

Opening Times: Varies upon the month and day of the week

Address: Dolce Vita Tejo Lj 1054 – Av. Cruzeiro Seixas 7, 2650-504 Amadora, Portugal

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6. Jardim da Estrela

This is one most beautiful gardens in Lisbon, which boasts two great playgrounds for the kids. If you take Tram 28, it stops nearby, on the way to Graça. There’s a swan lake overlooked by a lovely café too. This is a great place to relax with a coffee whilst the kids burn off some energy.

Address: Jardim da Estrela, Praça da Estrela 12, 1200-667 Lisboa, Portugal

Opening Hours: daily from 7am until midnight

7. Costa da Caparica beaches

One of our top Lisbon Attractions is surprisingly, the beach! That is to say, in just 30 minutes you can be on the beautiful  Costa da Caparica. So take a taxi and spend a morning or afternoon or whole day at the family friendly Costa da Caparica beaches. Even in the winter, these beaches are beautiful enough that you can walk on the sand and not being cold at all.

Address: Costa da Caparica beaches

8. Jardim Zoológico

The Jardim Zoológico (Lisbon zoo) is one of the best zoos in Europe. It has a unique attraction: a cable car that takes you on a 20min journey throughout the whole park so you can watch your kids pointing at all the different animals it offers. You can also enjoy in the summer a selection of family friendly meals at the Savanna restaurant. There is also a baby care centre and activities for kids.

Address: Praça Marechal Humberto Delgado, 1549-004 Lisboa, Portugal

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9. Tram 28

Probably the most popular attraction in Lisbon, Tram 28 is a great way to get introduced to the Portuguese capital without putting a foot on the road. The yellow tramway has been photographed and painted a million times. Don’t be worried if you see some local kids following the tram behind, it’s part of their game.

Address: Starting point of Tram 28, Praça Martim Moniz, Lisbon, Portugal

10. Monsanto Forest Park

Located in the West side of Lisbon with over 1,000 ha of green, Monsanto Forest Park is a great way to escape the busy town and take a big breath of fresh air. In the Summer/Spring, you can also have a picnic in different parts of the park like Mata de Sao Domingos, Parque da Pedra or Vila Guine.

Inside the Forest Park you can also find restaurants, child-friendly playgrounds, different sport facilities (tennis courts, football and basketball fields), mountain bike trails, climbing facilities, a skate park and even a camping site!

Address: Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon Portugal

11. Mercado da Ribeira / Time Out Market Lisbon

There are plenty of reasons to visit Lisbon, but two of them are the colour, and the food, these aspects of the historical city are combined with modern sensibilities in the Mercado da Ribeira. This marketplace is a modern setting created by journalists and marketing professionals; here, you can find some of the best steak houses, bars, shops, and live music venues for all the family, so don’t miss out on a trip in the afternoon or evening after the siesta from the heat. 

Address: Av. 24 de Julho 49, 1200-479 Lisboa, Portugal

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An amazing food hall market to discover in Lisbon with children
Source: Pixabay

12. Museu Benfica

Benfica FC is one of the biggest football teams in Lisbon as well as a weighty name in European football; they play their home matches in Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. If you love football or you have a budding professional among your ranks, why not visit the team’s official museum for inspiration and a fun day out. Visit the stadium, see the trophy room, and learn the history.   

Address: Av. Eusébio da Silva Ferreira Porta 9, 1500-313 Lisboa, Portugal

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an exciting tour of a football stadium to do with children in Lisbon
Source: GetYourGuide

13. Vasco da Gama Aquarium

What child doesn’t love seeing ocean animals up close and learning about them? For that matter, what adult doesn’t love this experience as well? Head along to the Aquariu Vasco de Gama in Lisbon for an unforgettable time at one of the city’s best aquariums. Come into contact with live sea life, or learn about animals past and present in the popular museum and marina. 

Address: R. Direita do Dafundo, 1495-718 Cruz Quebrada, Portugal

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Source: Pixabay

14. Telecabine Lisboa

If you want to see the city of Lisbon from above, then take a trip to the Telecabine Lisboa. This excursion gives you the chance to leave the ground and head into the sky above the Tagus River, giving you an unforgettable view. The lift goes to a height of thirty meters and lasts for around fifteen minutes. Don’t forget your camera or your sunglasses for the glass cable car.  

Address: Estação Norte, Passeio das Tágides, 1990-280 Lisboa, Portugal

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a tour of Lisbon with an amazing view over the city
Source: GetYourGuide

15. Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology

The Museum of Art, Architecture, and Technology, also known as MAAT, is a popular day trip for adults and children; this museum has exhibitions to enjoy along with historical and cultural collections to educate and empower audiences. If you love culture and you want to learn more about the city of Lisbon, make this museum the focus of a day trip to Portugal’s cultural centre.  

Address: Av. Brasília, 1300-598 Lisboa, Portugal

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Source: Facebook / MAAT

16. Little Lisbon – a private family tour guide

If you are interested to take on a private family tour and learn about Lisbon history and culture with your kids (between 6 and 12 years old), have a look at this great tour guide specialised for families. Little Lisbon has amazing reviews on TripAdvisor with a 5* rating score among their customers.

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Source: Pixabay

17. Quinta Pedagogica Dos Olivais

There comes a point in any cultural excursion when you want a break from the museums and culture, and what better way to relax and unwind with your family than with a picnic in one of the city’s famous parks. The Quinta Pedagogica Dos Olivais is an excellent place for children because it’s shady and contains animals such as cows and chickens; it also has fruit trees.

Address: Rua Cidade de Lobito, 1800-088 Lisboa, Portugal

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A lovely educational farm in Lisbon for children
Source: Quinta Pedagogica dos Olivais

18. National Museum of Natural History and Science

When you go on a city break with your family, it’s an excellent chance to learn new things by visiting museums, and what better museum to visit in Lisbon than the country’s main natural history and science museum. This place has an extensive collection of artefacts brought together over a 250 year period; it covers zoology, anthropology, geology, and botany.

Address: Rua da Escola Politécnica 56, 1250-102 Lisboa, Portugal

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A great museum in Lisbon for families
Source: Museus da Universidade de Lisboa

19. Tropical Botanical Garden

If you and your family love nature, then don’t miss out on a trip to the tropical botanical garden in Lisbon; this garden was laid out in 1912 and has recently been restored to life following a period of neglect. In this space, you will find amazing green spaces along with much of the local flora and fauna, don’t forget to bring some olive bread and hummus for a picnic on the grass nearby. 

Address: Largo dos Jerónimos, 1400-209 Lisboa, Portugal

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A tropical garden to visit in Lisbon with children
Source: Museus da Universidade de Lisboa

20. HIPPOtrip

If you’re going to Lisbon with the kids, don’t miss out on a HIPPOtrip; that said, it’s also a brilliant idea for adults who want to explore the city from the comfort of a boat/bus. That’s right, the HIPPO bus is also a boat, it takes you through the city streets with a commentary and then into the Tagus river for a boat trip, but you never have to leave the special amphibious vehicle.   

Address: Doca de Santo Amaro, Edifício Hippotrip, 1350-353 Lisboa, Portugal

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21. Lisboa Story Centre

Learn everything about the historical city of Lisbon at the Lisboa Story Centre. This innovative space is dedicated to the facts and events that make Lisbon the iconic city it is today, so it’s not to be missed. The Story Centre is a great place to visit with your family at the beginning of your trip because it gives you all additional knowledge for exploring the rest of the city on your break. The Story Centre is located in Lisbon’s centre and is suitable for tourists and families with kids. 

Address: Praça do Comércio 78, 1100-148 Lisboa, Portugal

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a great immersive exhibition on the history of Lisbon
Source: GetYourGuide

In conclusion, we hope you’ve found this mini guide of the best things to do in Lisbon with your children useful for your holiday trip in the Portuguese capital.

Lisboa is a great city to visit multiple times especially if you are curious enough to explore the surroundings. We love the fact this European city is ideally situated in the South so you can expect a nice weather all year round including in the Winter.

We went to the beach in December and our kids were even in swimsuits to to taste the waters!

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