Planning to travel to Portugal as a family? Excellent choice! Close to France, Portugal is a sunny and easy destination for a family holiday while enjoying a change of scenery.

Between cities, beaches, and mountains, Portugal offers plenty to keep your family trip engaging. To learn more, we detail everything you need to know before traveling to Portugal with children.

The best season for children in Portugal

Portugal enjoys Mediterranean and oceanic climates, which can intensify depending on the region. In summer and winter, weather can become extreme with scorching heat or torrential rains. It is therefore recommended to travel during the shoulder seasons, namely spring (from April through June) and autumn (from August through November).

Spring in Portugal is characterized by blooming flowers, gentle sunshine, and warming waters. In autumn, the climate is mild with rare rainfall. The landscape adorns itself with a magnificent coat of ochre and gold, while the sea maintains pleasant temperatures around 20°C.

We advise against peak season, which coincides with summer. Indeed, temperatures rise and the atmosphere can feel heavy, especially for younger children. With the heat, crowds, and Portuguese festivities, family holidays risk becoming exhausting.

The best destinations for children

All regions of Portugal can be visited with families, and each place promises delightful surprises. Between lively cities and their beach resorts, historic and cultural villages, and protected natural sites, destinations are endless. Here are some essential destinations for family trips:

• Lisbon, the unmissable capital with its street art and iconic tram
• Porto with the Douro Valley and its cruises
• The Algarve region for its dream beaches
• The Azores for observing aquatic wildlife
• The island of Madeira for hiking families
• The village of Almeida (Guarda) with its historic cannons and bunkers
• The village of Belmonte (Castelo Branco) and its mountain foothills
• The village of Curral das Freiras (Madeira) nestled in the embrace of high mountains
• The village of Dornes (Santarém), one of the country's riverside villages
• The village of Piódão (Coimbra), a true artistic masterpiece
• The village of Rio de Onor (Bragança), a protected area
• The village of Sistelo (Viana do Castelo), a national monument
• The island of São Jorge (Azores) is one of the seven wonders of Portugal

Essential family activities

Activities in Portugal are plentiful and can easily keep the whole family entertained throughout your stay. Beyond encounters with Portuguese biodiversity, cities and beach resorts offer plenty to occupy young and old alike. It's also worth noting that in Portugal, many sites and attractions are open to the public and accessible free or at reduced prices for children.

Floristic and faunistic destinations

• A boat cruise on the Atlantic Ocean to observe dolphins
• Explore the ZooMarine aquatic park in Albufeira or the dolphin reserve off the coast of Alentejo
• Visit the Monsanto floral park in Lisbon or the flower island in Madeira
• Observe gray wolves and other animals at the Iberian Wolf Recovery Center
• Discover the treasures of the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros natural park
• Take a horseback ride through the village of Comporta (Alentejo)
• Become freediver exploring the seabed or surfers conquering the waves
• Burn energy on the Atlantic coast where certain beaches offer fine sand and calm waters
• Test the natural pools of Peneda-Gerês national park
• Cape Saint Vincent, the edge of the world—an absolute must-see!

Destinations for other activities

• Marvel at the medieval ruins of historic cities
• Begin the journey to discover Portugal's seven wonders
• Explore villages listed in UNESCO World Heritage
• Be inspired by Lisbon's street art, where every wall in the neighborhood becomes a masterpiece
• Listen to Fado, the traditional music of the people
• Take time to appreciate the creations at the Puppet Museum in Lisbon
• Ride tram number 28 in Lisbon or the cable car in Porto
• The 100% Portuguese city of Óbidos, an encounter with the country's culture
• Don't miss the Lello bookstore, which inspired J.K. Rowling for the famous Hogwarts stairs
• Finally, taste Portugal's exceptional gastronomy

Children's safety during your stay

Like all countries in the world, Portugal is not immune to opportunistic thieves. Travelers should therefore remain discreet and vigilant. Children remain the responsibility of parents and caregivers. Also exercise caution during nighttime and peak season, which favor pickpockets and their ilk.

During your stay, inform yourself about useful things to know. For instance, the use of warning flags on beaches (green for safe swimming, yellow for swimming with risks, and red for strictly forbidden waters, jellyfish or dangerous coral territories, erosion risks, etc.). Also, be mindful of road safety: some drivers can be reckless.

If anything unusual occurs, call emergency services immediately:

• Emergency: 112 or 115
• Maritime emergencies: +351 214 401 919
• Information: 118
• Health services: 808 24 24 24
• Poisoning: +351 217 950 143
• Fire or flooding: 21 342 22 22 / 21 392 47 00
• Forest fire: 117
• Traveler assistance: 800 296 296
• French Embassy: 351 21 393 91 00 /
• French Embassy (Lisbon): +351 213 939 294 / +351 213 939 100 / Rue Santos-O-Velho, 5 Lisbon (weekdays 09am to noon)
• Lost or stolen Visa cards: 800 811 824 / Mastercard: 800 811 272