10 Days in Portugal With Kids: A Complete Family Itinerary

Three young children run barefoot across the golden sand toward white-walled beach villas with red-tile roofs in the background, capturing a playful morning in coastal Cascais. Proof that exploring Portugal with kids can be both magical and manageable. — Starting our 10-day Portugal adventure on the beaches of Cascais. Image courtesy of Marga from Lisbon Clicks

When I started planning our trip to Portugal, I wasn’t totally sure how it would go with young kids, especially doing it on my own.

It’s a bigger trip with multiple cities, different transportation, and a lot of moving parts, and I didn’t really know how it would all come together with young kids.

But I ended up spending 10 days traveling through Portugal with my two kids (ages 2.5 and 4), alongside a friend and her 3-year-old, moving between cities by train, managing everything with a stroller, and figuring it out as I went.

And honestly, it worked.

It wasn’t always easy, but it ended up being one of my favorite trips of all time.

This is exactly what our 10 days looked like, where we stayed, how we got around, and what actually worked (and didn’t) with young kids. I’ve also linked to more detailed posts for each stop if you want to go deeper on any part of the trip.

10 Days in Portugal With Kids: A Quick Look at Our Itinerary

Here’s exactly what our 10 days looked like before we get into the details:

Day 1: Arrive at Lisbon Airport (LIS) → Private transfer to Cascais → Check in to Sheraton Cascais Resort
Day 2: Half day in Cascais (beach, marina, old town, very walkable with kids)
Day 3: Full-day Sintra tour with Ó Turista → Drop-off in Lisbon → Check in to Hyatt Regency Lisbon
Day 4: Half day in Belém (riverside walk, fenced playgrounds, stroller-friendly paths)
Day 5: Train to Douro Valley → Taxi to Quinta dos Padres Santos Agroturismo & Spa
Day 6: Half day in Lamego (wide plaza, cathedral, lunch stop, stroller-friendly but hilly)
Day 7: Half day in Régua (short river cruise, town walk, a few stroller challenges)
Day 8: Train to Porto → Check in to Hilton Porto Gaia → Explore Gaia riverside and gondola
Day 9: Day in Porto (sailboat tour, playgrounds, Livraria Lello, walk back across the bridge)
Day 10: Depart Portugal

Each stop links to a full post with more details, including exactly what it looked like getting around with kids and a stroller.

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Cover of the Travel Documents Checklist for Families from Fairytale Travel Guide, featuring two children looking out an airplane window.

10 Days in Portugal With Kids: Day-by-Day Breakdown

Here’s how our 10 days actually played out.

Each day was a mix of getting out and exploring, then slowing things back down when the kids needed it, all with a stroller and kid-friendly stops in mind.

Day 1: Arriving in Lisbon and Getting to Cascais

A cheerful and cozy playroom at the Sheraton Cascais Resort with soft play mats, a small tent, and toys—perfect for families enjoying Sheraton Cascais Resort with kids. — The staff at Sheraton Cascais Resort were incredible with my kids from the moment we arrived.

We landed at Lisbon Airport (LIS) in the morning after an overnight flight, which is always a bit of a wildcard with young kids.

I had arranged a private transfer through our hotel, the Sheraton Cascais Resort, ahead of time, and it ended up being one of the easiest parts of the day. The driver met us at the airport with car seats already installed, which was a huge relief since we don’t travel with our own. The drive to Cascais took about 45 minutes and felt like a really smooth start to the trip.

By the time we arrived, everyone was tired, so we kept things simple and just settled in. The biggest win that first day was the playground and kids club at the resort. After a long travel day, it gave the kids a chance to run around and reset, which made everything feel a lot easier.

👉 Read my full Sheraton Cascais Resort with Kids review here.

Day 2: Morning in Cascais

A young girl with a rainbow streamer in hand stands face-to-face with a peacock on a shaded path in a park, a whimsical and unexpected nature encounter during a family visit. — Getting to meet all the birds at Parque Marechal Carmona was so much fun! Image courtesy of Marga from Lisbon Clicks

We took an Uber into Cascais for a few hours and ended up packing a lot into a short time: family photos with Marga from Lisbon Clicks, time at Praia da Rainha where the kids played in the sand, and an easy walk along the waterfront with our double stroller.

The photo session ended up being one of my favorite things we did in Portugal. It gave us actual photos of everyone on the trip, and Marga was wonderful with the kids while we moved through Cascais at a relaxed pace.

Parque Marechal Carmona was a really lovely city park, with shady paths, peacocks, a playground, and a small café with indoor seating and a bathroom, which was a huge win with young kids.

We wrapped up with lunch at Guimas before heading back to the Sheraton Cascais Resort to rest.

👉 Read my full Cascais with Kids blog post here.

Day 3: Sintra Day Tour and Transfer to Lisbon

Crowds gather at the entrance arch of Pena Palace, framed by stonework details, lush greenery, and colorful castle towers above. Waiting our turn to explore inside Pena Palace—color, history, and a bit of a line. Totally worth it on your Sintra Day Tour With Kids. — My son loved this grand entrance to the palace.

We checked out of the Sheraton Cascais Resort and spent the day on a private tour with Ó Turista, using it as both a sightseeing day and our transfer to Lisbon.

Our guide Bruno picked us up with car seats already installed and somehow managed three young kids, two strollers, and the Sintra heat like an absolute pro.

We toured Pena Palace, which was definitely a workout with a double stroller, skipped Quinta da Regaleira after a round of meltdowns, grabbed a slow but really good lunch at Júlio’s Toca, and finished at the cliffs of Cabo da Roca before heading into Lisbon.

From there, we were dropped off directly at the Hyatt Regency Lisbon, which made the whole transition feel really seamless.

👉 Read my full Sintra day tour with kids post here.

👉 Read my full Hyatt Regency Lisbon review here.

Day 4: Slow Morning Along the Lisbon Riverside

Two toddlers playing at a colorful, fenced playground with soft rubber flooring and slide structures—one of the toddler‑friendly parks we found in Belém. — This playground was such a win. It was fully fenced and quiet enough to let the kids roam while I kept an eye on both without feeling stressed.

We stayed close to the Hyatt Regency Lisbon and spent the morning exploring the riverside area of Belém at a slow pace, which ended up being perfect for a hot day with toddlers.

There were two fully fenced playgrounds, a stroller-accessible pedestrian bridge to the waterfront, and shady walking paths with views of the 25 de Abril Bridge. The kids were completely absorbed watching sailboats and cranes. We even found a free public bathroom, which felt like a huge win with little kids, especially when I was on my own managing bathroom breaks.

We grabbed lunch nearby and headed back to the hotel to rest before heading to the Douro Valley the next day.

👉 Read my full Lisbon with Kids post here.

Want Family Photos Near Lisbon?

If you’re planning time in Lisbon, Cascais, or Sintra and want photos of everyone actually on the trip, Marga from Lisbon Clicks is a great option to consider.

We worked with Marga for family photos in Cascais, and it ended up being one of my favorite things we did in Portugal. The session felt relaxed and natural, and she was wonderful with the kids.

She photographs families around Lisbon and nearby areas, including Cascais and Sintra, so this can be an easy add-on if you want photos without trying to hand your phone to strangers or set up a tripod while managing kids.

You can use code FAIRYTALE10 for 10% off your session.

Want family photos near Lisbon?

Book With Lisbon Clicks

If you’re visiting Lisbon or the surrounding area and want photos of everyone actually on the trip, Marga offers family photo sessions through Lisbon Clicks. She photographed my family during our morning in Cascais, and it ended up being one of my favorite things we did in Portugal. You can use code FAIRYTALE10 for 10% off.

Book a Photo Session Near Lisbon

A toddler girl in a floral romper walks alone in soft beach sand next to a stone wall, embodying a simple, playful moment during a sunny day in Cascais.

Day 5: Train Woes and Arrival in the Douro Valley

Two toddlers sit at a train table in a modern high-speed train, focused on sticker books. A pink-and-blue gradient water bottle marked with motivational time goals is on the table next to them. — Onboard the Alfa Pendular from Lisbon to Porto. High-speed trains in Portugal with kids meant sticker books, snacks, and lots of window views.

We left Lisbon by train planning to reach the Douro Valley via Porto, but a major delay completely changed that plan. After missing our connection and seeing how long the line was to rebook, I decided not to wait and booked an Uber XXL to finish the journey instead. It was a long, sweaty travel day, but we made it.

Our home for the next three nights was Quinta dos Padres Santos, a hillside agroturismo with beautiful views, friendly staff, and plenty of space for the kids to roam. It wasn’t the easiest setup with young kids, especially as the only adult managing the logistics. There was no A/C, it wasn’t stroller-friendly, and it was very remote. But the kids loved the pool, playground, and slower pace.

👉 Read my full Trains in Portugal with Kids post here.

👉 Read my full Quinta dos Padres Santos review here.

Day 6: Easy Wandering and One Memorable Meal in Lamego

Wide cobblestone plaza in Lamego with benches, trees, and a distant view of the grand staircase leading to the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. — The Avenida Visconde Guedes Teixeira is flat and stroller-friendly, with the sanctuary rising in the distance.

From our Quinta, we took an Uber into Lamego for a half-day outing. I ended up loving this historic hill town more than I expected. The wide pedestrian avenue near the cathedral was shaded, stroller-friendly, and perfect for the kids to run around. The views of the sanctuary staircase were beautiful even from the base.

After popsicles and some time to play, we made our way up a steep cobblestone hill to reach Aroma da Índia, where we had one of our favorite meals of the whole trip. Between the food, the kind staff, and how relaxed everything felt, Lamego ended up being a really nice surprise and an easy, slower-paced stop in the Douro Valley.

👉 Read my full Lamego with Kids blog post here.

Day 7: River Cruising and City Heat in Régua

View from the bow of a riverboat in Régua with colorful flags flying, green terraced hills along the Douro River, and clear blue skies, a perfect day in Régua with kids. — Sailing past the terraced vineyards along the Douro River ended up being the highlight of our day in Régua.

I headed into Régua for a short Douro Valley river cruise, and it ended up being one of our favorite memories. The 50-minute ride was calm, easy with the stroller, and a great pace for toddlers.

Afterward, we had an excellent meal at Restaurante Dur Essência. The food was great, there was air conditioning, and the staff were really good with the kids.

We didn’t explore much beyond that. The 95° heat and steep hills made it tough to wander with a stroller, especially on my own. But the cruise alone made Régua worth the stop.

👉 Read my full Régua with Kids blog post here.

Day 8: Porto Arrival and Gaia Gondolas

Colorful street in Porto, Portugal, lined with historic buildings and strung with festive bunting, viewed from a stroller-friendly cobblestone slope. — Even the walk between attractions in Porto felt like part of the experience, especially when the streets looked like this.

We arrived in Porto by train and checked into the Hilton Porto Gaia, which ended up being the perfect hotel for our time in Porto. The staff were incredible, the upgrade to a Family Room suite made a big difference, and the location couldn’t have been better. It was just a short walk to the river, the gondolas, and the Dom Luís I Bridge.

That first afternoon, we rode the Teleférico de Gaia, which my son insisted was “just like the Skyliner” at Disney World, let the kids play at a fully fenced riverside playground, and spent some time just taking in the views.

👉 Read my full Hilton Porto Gaia with Kids review here.
👉 Read my full Trains in Portugal with Kids post here.
👉 Read the full Porto with Kids blog post here.

Day 9: Sailboat Ride, Livraria Lello, and Wandering Porto

A toddler in a pink dress looking out over a sailboat railing on a sunny day during a Douro River tour in Porto. — Our sailboat tour with Douro Captain was a peaceful, scenic highlight, especially for the kids.

We started the day in Porto with a family-friendly sailboat tour with Douro Captain. It was a two-hour cruise that felt calm, scenic, and really easy with kids. There were bathrooms on board, space for the stroller, and plenty to keep them occupied without it feeling overwhelming.

Afterward, we explored Porto on foot. We stopped for lunch at NOLA Kitchen, which was vegan, allergy-friendly, and surprisingly a hit with the kids. We also visited Livraria Lello, which was beautiful but honestly a bit chaotic with little kids, and crossed the lower level of the Dom Luís I Bridge back toward the hotel to settle in for our last night in Portugal.

👉 Read my full Porto with Kids blog post here.

Heading Home from Porto

We wrapped up the trip with a private transfer arranged through the hotel to Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO), which made that last morning really simple.

From there, we started our journey home.

What This Trip Actually Looked Like Logistically

A few quick things that might help as you’re planning:

Ages of kids:
My two were 2.5 and 4, and my friend’s daughter was 3.

Stroller:
I used the Zoe Twin+ double stroller the entire trip. It handled cobblestones, trains, gondolas, and hills better than I expected, but pushing it fully loaded was still a workout at times.

Getting around:
We used a mix of hotel-arranged transfers, trains, Ubers (including XL/XXL vans), taxis in the Douro Valley, gondolas in Porto, and a lot of walking. One thing that made a big difference is that car seats aren’t required in Ubers or taxis in Portugal.

Travel times:

Lisbon Airport to Cascais: about 45 minutes
Cascais to Sintra to Lisbon: full-day private tour with drop-off
Lisbon to Porto: about 3 hours by train
Porto to Régua: would have been about 2 hours by train, but after a delay we switched to an Uber, which took about 1.5 hours from where we were
Régua to Porto: about 2 hours by train
Porto to the airport: about 30 minutes

Playgrounds:
We were able to find a playground at every stop, which made a huge difference on long or hot days.

Pace:
This was a pretty full itinerary, even with downtime built in. If I were doing it again, I might either add a few extra days or cut one stop to make it feel more relaxed.

Is Portugal Worth Visiting With Kids?

Portugal ended up being one of my favorite trips I’ve done with my kids, even with all the logistics that came from being the only adult responsible for my two.

It wasn’t always easy. There were long travel days, a few logistical curveballs, and moments where I had to adjust plans on the fly. But overall, it felt very doable.

What stood out the most was how manageable everything felt once we were there. The mix of walkable cities, easy transportation, and just how welcoming people were to kids made a huge difference. And having a loose plan with built-in downtime helped keep things from feeling overwhelming.

If you’re thinking about visiting Portugal with kids, this is a trip I would absolutely recommend. And if you’re doing it as the only adult, I’d just build in extra margin for travel days, heat, hills, and the moments where everyone needs to slow down.

Have questions about this post or want help thinking through the logistics for your own trip? Join my free Facebook community for parents planning family travel. You can ask questions, share what you’re working through, and get real-life advice from other parents who understand how many little details go into traveling with kids.