Portugal Family Holidays & Breaks

Places to visit in Portugal

Overview

With its almost perfect year-round climate, Portugal is a justifiably popular destination for family holidays. Located in south-western Europe, next to Spain, it’s one of the oldest countries in Europe and boasts some magnificent cultural sights. But it’s also a small country (around the same size as Scotland), which means it’s fairly easy to travel around, and the locals just love children.

The most popular region for family holidays, offering heaps of child-friendly accommodation and amenities, is the Algarve, famous for its long sandy beaches and seemingly constant sunshine. But if you’re after something more action-packed than a sunbathing and swimming holiday, the country has plenty of other things to offer: picturesque towns and fishing villages, rocky coves and marinas to explore, world-famous golf courses and aqua-parks, and lots more besides, much of it off the tourist track.

Enquiries

Let us tailor-make the perfect holiday for you.

Call us on 020 3633 0653

Enquire online

Things to do with kids in Portugal

Explore Lisbon, one of Europe’s most laidback and family-friendly capitals, with a host of attractions for children.

Enjoy the very child-friendly attractions of the Algarve, from natural white-sand beaches to mountains, and from beautiful villages to nature reserves, oceanographic theme-parks and water-parks.

Check out the lesser-known Alentejo region, north of the Algarve and east of Lisbon.

Make a foray into Portugal’s Centro (Central) region, home to the BioParque San Pedro do Sul, where families can take part in treasure hunts, horse-drawn carriage tours, abseiling, climbing and traditional games. There are also ceramics, tile-painting and patchwork workshops.

Head north, to Porto and the Norte (North) region. Porto/Oporto, famous as the home of port dessert wine, has a UNESCO World Heritage listed historic centre, while north of it, between Vila do Conde and the mouth of the Rio Miño, you’ll find untouristy beaches and resorts and unspoilt villages. The landscape, studded by waterfall and vineyards, takes in several national/natural parks, including the Peneda-Gerês National Park with its hiking trails and small campsites. There are also two World Heritage sites: the Alto Douro wine region and – of more interest to families – the Côa Valley with remarkable open-air prehistoric rock carvings that can be visited by jeep tours led by specialist guides.

Experience the island of Madeira, which lacks sandy beaches but makes up for it with several exciting theme-parks that belie its reputation as an oldies’ destination.

Discover Azores archipelago – very appealing to those with younger kids and for those in search of adventure holidays including the likes of sperm-whale- and dolphin-watching tours.

Lisbon © Jose Manuel

Eat

There isn't really a concept of ‘child-friendly’ restaurants in Portugal – except in very posh places, children are always welcome, and restaurants tend to tailor dishes to children's tastes rather than offer a kids’ menu.

The locals just love their fish, which is served in many guises, although salt cod (bacalhau) is the most popular, closely followed by the likes of fresh sardines. Tuna steaks are a major ingredient in Madeira’s cuisine. Don’t leave without trying some of the country’s egg-based desserts, especially the tiny but incredibly rich and sweet custard tarts (pastéis de nata). Arroz doce (rice pudding) also goes down well with kids.

It's well known that service in some parts of Portugal is slow, as chefs like to prepare food fresh from scratch – it’s a good idea to take colouring books and pens to keep boredom at bay. On the other hand, in a lot of restaurants you’ll be served bread, olives and other appetizers as soon as you sit down, which can keep help small children going until their main meal arrives.

Vegetarians are not very well catered for in Portugal so check the menu has some suitable options before taking a seat.

When to go to Portugal

The Algarve tends to have good weather year-round. Those with pre-schoolers should consider going outside July and August, when it can get overrun by tourists. Even winter days in this region are pleasant, and golfers and other sports fans appreciate the Algarve's winter sun.

Any time from April to September is a good time to visit cities and beaches in other parts of the country, where temperatures average around 30°C. Winter is moderately cool, with the wet season running from November to March.

Cost

The Algarve can be pricey, although self-catering in villas or apart-hotels will help you keep costs under control. Less touristy parts of Portugal offer better value.