10 Days in Portugal - 4 Family-Friendly Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Portugal Family Vacation: Porto, Lisbon & the Algarve

A classic itinerary that covers the top destinations of Portugal, you and the family will visit Porto, the capital city of Lisbon, and the beautiful coastal region of the Algarve. Take a family food tour in Porto, head on a day trip to the Peneda-Gerês National Park, explore the markets in the capital, and enjoy the many beaches around the Algarve.

Arrive in Porto and embark on a family-friendly food tour to sample pastéis de nata (custard tart), bacalhau (dried, salted cod), and Sumol Ananás (fizzy pineapple soda). Tour the city with a private guide to explore the Foz neighborhood, see the Sao Bento Railway Station and Bolhao Market, and visit one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, Livraria Lello. Venture on a hike in Peneda-Gerês National Park to see towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, wild deer, eagles, and horses. Board a train to Lisbon for a tuk-tuk tour to see viewpoints from Sao Pedro de Alcantara and Santa Luzia.

On Day 5, check out the Feira da Ladra flea market and the Time Out Market. Enjoy a day trip to storybook Sintra to visit the Quinta da Regaleira, the National Palace of Sintra, and the Pena Palace. Then collect your rental car and drive south to the Algarve. Stop in Lagos, where the kids will love visiting the Lagos Zoo, Zoomarine, and the Aqualand waterpark. Families who prefer relaxing holidays will relish the Algarve's many beaches, such as Praia da Marinha or Praia do Ancao. Board a catamaran from Portimao to the Benagil Caves and go swimming, snorkeling, or paddle boarding around the coves of Joao de Arens. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Family Trip to Portugal: Lisbon, Nazaré & Porto

Focusing on Portugal's northern Atlantic coastline, this 10-day trip to Portugal covers Lisbon, Nazaré, and Porto. Tour Lisbon via tuk-tuk, uncover the beautiful and historical region of Sintra, check out record-breaking waves at Praia do Norte in Nazaré, and discover the Mira de Aire Caves on the way to Porto.

Begin in Lisbon and see the highlights such as Castelo São Jorge and Jardim da Estrela, where kids can run freely, then enjoy a ride on the Telecabine Lisboa ("Lisbon Cable Car") for scenic views. Journey to the fairy tale town of Sintra, where young children can explore the secret passageways, towering turrets, and hidden gardens at Quinta da Regaleira. Journey to Nazaré via the walled city of Óbidos. If you're visiting in winter, you can enjoy some of the biggest waves in the world at Praia do Norte. In the summer, the sheltered bay of Sao Martinho do Porto offers a relaxing place to spend the day with the little ones.

Intrepid travelers of all ages will delight at a stop at Grutas Mira de Aire, the largest underground caves in Portugal, en route to Porto. Cruise the Douro River, discover the streets in a vintage car, and enjoy a family dinner on the Ribeira (riverfront). Next, you'll visit Portugal's only national park, Peneda-Gerês, where you can embark on various hikes to suit all abilities. Allocate a day to Porto's downtown area to see the peacocks and ducks in the Crystal Palace Gardens, spend an afternoon at SEA Life Porto, then conclude your trip with a stroll along Matosinhos Beach. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Portugal Family Explorer: Porto, Lisbon & Serra da Arrábida

This 10-day family holiday swaps out Nazaré with Serra da Arrábida, just south of Lisbon. Experience the food scene in Porto, take a day trip to the exciting Paiva Walkways, tour Lisbon via the Hippotrip amphibious vehicle on the Tagus River, and relax, swim, snorkel, and cruise around the beautiful beach area of Serra do Arrábida.

In Porto, you and the gang will head on a city food tour; kids can try traditional pastéis de nata while adults can sample local wine. A kid-friendly tour of Porto takes you to Sao Bento Train Station, the Clerigos Tower, and the Livaria Lello Bookshop, and an afternoon cruise will delight young children as you splash your way along the Douro River. The Paiva Walkways make for an interesting day trip that provides plenty of wildlife-spotting opportunities for young nature enthusiasts. Then a traditional lunch of posta arouquesa (grilled beef) and pinguca (Portuguese liquor) awaits the adults after the hike.

Divert to Óbidos to explore the medieval castle before continuing to Lisbon. For an alternative activity that will amuse young children, board the Hippotrip to see the city by land and river. Discover Sintra on a day trip, then transfer to the coastal region of Serra do Arrábida. The whole family can take advantage of a private cruise around the coastline of the Arrábida Marine Reserve, where you can swim, snorkel, and sunbathe. A guided excursion to Arrábida Natural Park can be tailored to your family's pace. Admire Albufeira Lagoon and Moorish Castle before returning to Lisbon to depart. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Family Fun & Culture in Portugal: Porto, Coimbra, Óbidos & Lisbon

Introduce the children to Portuguese culture from Porto to Lisbon, with stops in Coimbra and Óbidos. You and the family will explore beautiful libraries, hike the Paiva Walkways, go bird watching in the São Jacinto Nature Reserve, and journey into the Mira de Aire Caves.

Commence your Portugal itinerary with three nights in Porto. Undertake a food and culture tour of the city, then head on a day trip to the Paiva Walkways along the banks of the Paiva River, where brave kids and adults can cross the Arouca 516 pedestrian footbridge over the river. Check out Aveiro, the "Venice of Portugal," and the Sao Jacinto Nature Reserve for a bird-watching excursion. The Bucaco Forest is a great place to break up the journey to Coimbra to let the kids run off some steam. See the 18th-century bell tower and the Chapel of Saint Michael, then board a train to Figueira da Foz.

Alternatively, venture on an off-the-beaten-path experience to the Schist Villages. Detour via the Grutas Mira de Aire on your way to Óbidos. See Óbidos Castle and the Igreja de Santa Maria Church, and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before heading to Libson for your family's final three nights. Uniquely explore the city on an amphibious Hippotrip vehicle tour on Day 7. Then, creative kids and adults will appreciate the chance to paint their own ceramic tiles, while historic-loving sightseers can visit Castelo de São Jorge and the Jeronimos Monastery. Enjoy one final day trip to storybook Sintra before departing. Learn more

More Great 10-Day Portugal itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Portugal? Check out these other 10-day Portugal itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.