Family Holidays: Lisbon family holidays and breaks

Take the Family holiday rating 4 stars out of 5

Why

Lisbon, (Lisboa), and indeed Portugal in general, is very family friendly and one of the most laid back cities in Europe. First time visitors will be enchanted by it's timelessness, looking like a pastel patchwork quilt next to the peacock blue of the River Tagus. You may well find yourselves eating grilled sardines in the Alfama district, gazing at endless views, marvelling at the impossibly steep terrain and travelling as locals do by metro, tram and funny funiculars. On the European Atlantic coast, the westernmost city in continental Europe, Lisbon is the city that refuses to die. Twice it has been the world's richest city, and following periods of decay it continues to reinvent itself. Life is good here and the Lisboetas know it. The city itself lies more or less in the centre of the country, approximately 300 km from the Algarve in the south and 400 km from the northern border with Spain. Offering a wide variety of options to it's visitors, including beaches, countryside, mountains and areas of historical interest, not to mention it's many fascinating satellite towns and sights, it is well worth adding to your list of family friendly European cities to take your family to.

When

Temperatures stay reasonably mild in Lisbon all year round, with average minumums of 11 or 12°C during the colder winter months. Rainfall drops from April and May to September with the hottest periods in July and August averaging 28°C with a record of 40 °C! The first thing you'll notice off the plane is the greeting by wonderful hot gusts of Atlantic wind.

Stay

Accomodation is very reasonably priced. Expect to pay around €40 per night for a B&B. Self catering options are a great option for families such The Santos River Apartments from partners The Apartment Service, costing from €490 to €735 per week, located on the river Tagus central Lisbon between Cais do Sodre and Santos, and right next door to a daily indoor market selling fresh fish, meat and other produce.

Do

Take a trip to the Oceanarium, (www.oceanario.pt), Europe's largest aquarium. Split in to sections, representing the five oceans, the Oceanarium is home to over 8,000 animals and plants representing 500 species.

Right next door is the Knowledge Museum, (Pavilhao Conhecimento). Great for ages from 3 to adults, this is a real hands on experience. Try moonwalking, barfly jumping to bubble-blowing. Downstairs kids can don hard hats and high-vis waistcoasts and build houses with foam bricks, trucks and cranes. (Take the metro from Cais de Sodre to the EXPO site Parques das Nacoes at Oriente. www.pavconhecimento.pt)

Visit the Principe Real Gardens. If you still need a haven, despite Lisbon being one of the most laid back cities in Europe, take a trip to go here. The overhanging canopy of ancient trees and a peaceful cafe make this a great place to just hang out .Join the other yummy (and v trendy) mummies on a Saturday morning shop before the bio farmers market.(Take tram 28 from Praco do Comercio to the Basilica del Estrela, from where it is only a 5 minute walk.)

Visit Lisbon Zoo. Ok, so it may not be the best zoo in the world, but it is constantly improving, and where else can you take an aeriel ride in a mini-cable car over the lion enclosure, included in the admission price. Take the metro to Jardim zoologico. www.zoolisboa.pt/main.aspx

Visit the Beaches of Sintra. Little known or perhaps forgotten by tourists this area is well worth a short trip out of the city. Praia de Macas with great body boarding is great for families, or Praia Grande favoured by surfers. Life guards are on duty from mid June to mid September. Whilst in the area, take a trip to Azenhas do Mar (Watermills of the Sea), a white washed village trimmed in blue, built on the slopes of the cliff with a river waterfalling to the sea below. Recently restored, the watermills, as well as fascinating rock pools, also now offer a restaurant, bar and swimming pool. By car, off the N247.