Portugal with Kids: Tuk Tuks, Caves, and Pastéis de Nata
Portugal had been on our family’s travel wish list for years, and last summer we finally made it happen. While it was not one of the most family friendly destinations we’ve visited, we still found plenty of memorable experiences that made the trip worthwhile with young children in tow.
What Portugal offered was a mix of history, culture, beautiful scenery, and a few standout adventures that my children absolutely loved. From riding vintage trams through Lisbon to taking a miniature train to the beach in the Algarve, many of our favorite moments came from slowing down and seeing the destination through my kids’ eyes.
Exploring Lisbon Without Exhausting Little Legs
The first thing you should know about Lisbon is that it is very hilly. Like, push a stroller up one street and immediately question your life choices kind of hilly. That’s why I cannot recommend a tuk tuk tour enough, especially if you’re traveling with young children. It allows everyone to see the city without constant complaints about tired feet. If you have younger children, be sure to ask ahead about booster seats.
We toured with Carlos Cunha, a licensed and highly rated Lisbon tuk tuk guide with decades of tourism experience. He was wonderful with our family and gave us a fantastic introduction to the city.
Two popular routes are the Historic Lisbon Tour and the Belém Tour, each lasting about two hours. The Historic Tour covers many of Lisbon’s most iconic sights, including the city center, Lisbon Cathedral, Alfama (the second oldest neighborhood in Europe), the breathtaking viewpoints in Graça, the riverside district, Pink Street, Carmo, and Chiado.
The Belém Tour focuses on some of Portugal’s most famous landmarks. You’ll visit the Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, the Monument to the Discoveries, and the trendy LX Factory district beneath the bridge. Best of all, there’s a stop at Pastéis de Belém.
Trust me when I say this pastry stop is not optional. Pastéis de Belém has been serving the original pastel de nata since 1837, and the flaky pastry filled with warm, creamy custard absolutely lives up to the hype.
Along the way you’ll also find incredible street art, charming cafés, and opportunities to hear traditional Fado music.
All Aboard Tram 28
As New Orleanians, we have a soft spot for streetcars, so riding Lisbon’s famous trams immediately felt familiar. The star of the show is Tram 28, the iconic yellow vintage tram that winds through some of Lisbon’s oldest neighborhoods. Dating back to the 1930s, these historic trams squeal and rattle their way up steep hills, around impossibly tight corners, and past many of the city’s most famous landmarks.
For kids, it’s basically transportation disguised as an amusement park ride. For parents, it’s an easy and scenic way to experience neighborhoods like Alfama, Graça, and Baixa without climbing every hill on foot. Everyone wins.
A Literary Souvenir You’ll Actually Keep
One of our favorite unexpected stops was Bertrand Bookshop, officially recognized as the world’s oldest operating bookstore. Established in 1732, it is worth visiting even if you aren’t a big reader. What made it especially fun for our family was the children’s section, which included books in multiple languages. We found an adorable book about Lisbon’s famous trams available in both Portuguese and English. It became one of those meaningful souvenirs that takes up very little suitcase space but brings back wonderful memories every time we read it.
Where We Stayed in Lisbon
Our family stayed at the Hyatt Regency Lisbon in a suite that comfortably accommodated four people. While it is located outside the city center, we actually appreciated the quieter atmosphere after busy sightseeing days. Public transportation was easily accessible, making it simple to hop into town whenever we wanted to explore.
For families who want a little more space and a calmer home base, it worked beautifully.
Trading City Streets for Algarve Beaches
After Lisbon, we rented a car and headed south to the Algarve.
The drive was straightforward, and the reward was worth every mile. The Algarve is filled with stunning beaches, dramatic cliffs, and charming seaside towns.
One of our favorite days was spent at Praia do Barril near Tavira.
Getting there is half the fun. Visitors ride a miniature train that resembles a tiny steam engine across the Ria Formosa nature reserve to reach the beach. The ride takes only about seven to eight minutes and is so fun for the kiddos. Once we arrived, we found a seemingly endless stretch of soft sand and spent the day building sandcastles and splashing in the water.
One of my favorite parenting moments happened here. My children ended up playing for hours with another group of children. The other kids spoke Portuguese. Mine spoke English. None of them shared a language. But they all spoke play. One of my favorite things about travel is the reminder of how small and connected the world really is.
Benagil Cave: Worth the Hype
Another unforgettable Algarve experience was a boat tour of the famous Benagil Cave.
If you’re traveling with young children, make sure you choose a family friendly operator. We booked with Capitão Nemo, and they were fantastic. The boat was comfortable, the crew was great with kids, and my youngins were absolutely thrilled that there was a small dog onboard.
The caves themselves are every bit as beautiful as the photos suggest and were one of the most memorable experiences of our entire Portugal trip.
Where We Stayed in the Algarve
For the Algarve portion of our trip, we rented an Airbnb with extended family.
Having a private pool was a game changer during the summer months. It gave the kids a place to burn off energy between adventures and provided plenty of downtime for the adults.
If you’re traveling with multiple generations or another family, I highly recommend considering a villa rental.
Final Thoughts
Portugal may not rank among the easiest destinations I’ve visited with young children, but it gave us experiences we could not have found anywhere else. We rode historic trams through Lisbon, explored sea caves along the Algarve coast, ate more pastéis de nata than I care to admit, and watched my children make friends on a beach despite not sharing a common language.
Not every destination has to be perfectly tailored to families to be worth visiting. Sometimes the most rewarding trips are the ones that challenge you a little while still creating unforgettable memories. Portugal was one of those trips for us, and we’re glad we went.
Curious how we’ve been able to travel with hotels and flights covered using minimal out of pocket cost? You can read more here.
