Visit Lisbon with children

The Vasco da Gama Aquarium brings the world's oceans to life for children exploring Lisbon. Over 500 aquatic species from all five oceans live in temperature-controlled tanks where kids can watch them up close. The aquarium also features a dedicated area showcasing Portuguese marine life. This stop on your family journey through Lisbon lets children discover ocean habitats and sea creatures while learning how different waters support different animals.

Belém Tower is a military fortress built in 1514 at the mouth of the Tagus River to defend Lisbon. This UNESCO World Heritage monument is a key stop on the route to explore Lisbon's history with children. Families can visit the tower's rooms, climb to its terraces for river views, and learn about Lisbon's maritime past and the age of exploration.

The Tram Museum holds a collection of old and modern trams, documents, and photographs that show how public transport in Lisbon has changed since 1873. For children visiting Lisbon, this museum offers a hands-on way to understand the city's history and how people have moved around over time. The historic vehicles and exhibits bring the story of transportation to life in a way that speaks to young visitors.

The Museum of the Discoveries holds a collection focused on Portuguese maritime expeditions. Visitors see maps, navigation instruments, and historical documents from the 15th and 16th centuries. This museum helps children understand the period of exploration and learn how people navigated across the ocean centuries ago. As part of visiting Lisbon with children, this museum offers a way to engage with history through objects and documents that tell stories of these journeys.

This 11th-century fortress overlooks the city from Lisbon's highest hill and offers children a hands-on way to explore history. With eleven towers and walls to climb and explore, Castle of São Jorge lets kids discover different rooms and learn about the city's past. The hilltop location also provides views across Lisbon that help children understand how the fortress once protected the city.

The Frigate Dom Fernando II e Glória is a Portuguese sail warship built in 1843 and carefully restored to become a maritime museum. Visitors can walk through the decks, cabins, and holds of the ship. Children can experience how sailors lived and worked aboard a historic warship while learning about Portuguese naval history. This floating museum fits perfectly into a child-friendly Lisbon visit, combining hands-on exploration with lessons about seafaring and navigation.

Estrela Garden is a public park in Lisbon that offers an ideal setting for families visiting with children. The park features shaded walking paths for leisurely strolls, a duck pond where children can watch waterfowl, two playgrounds suited for different ages, and a bandstand for occasional performances. It provides a relaxed environment where children can play freely and families can enjoy time outdoors together.

The Lisbon Greenhouse is a distinctive metal and glass structure from 1933 that houses exotic and tropical plants. Children can walk through its paths to discover different plant species up close. This site offers a natural complement to the collection's mix of castles, museums, and interactive exhibits, allowing young visitors to learn about plant life while exploring one of the city's botanical treasures.

The Pavilion of Knowledge is a science center included in this exploration of Lisbon with children. It offers hands-on activities where young visitors can discover physics, mathematics, and technology through experimentation. Children engage directly with exhibits, making learning about scientific principles an interactive experience that complements the educational stops throughout the route.

Lisbon Zoo is a 4-hectare facility that houses over 2000 animals representing about 300 species, offering children the chance to see a wide range of wildlife. The zoo features dolphin shows where kids can watch these intelligent animals perform and learn about their behavior. A cable car runs across the zoo, providing views of the entire site and making it easy for families to explore different areas. This stop on your Lisbon family journey combines entertainment with learning about the natural world.

Santa Maria Maior Cathedral is a Romanesque church built in 1150 that stands out for its two large towers and Gothic cloister. Inside, nine chapels occupy different spaces, and archaeological remains tell stories of earlier periods. Children visiting this cathedral in Lisbon can learn about medieval architecture while exploring the underground excavations. The building combines religious significance with historical discovery, making it an educational stop on this itinerary through the city.

The Monastery of Saint Vincent de Fora is a 12th-century religious building featuring Mannerist architecture with a central dome and decorated vaults. This site works well for visiting with children, offering them the chance to explore historical architecture and a collection of statues. The monastery connects education and history, helping young visitors understand more about Lisbon's past through its classical design and religious significance.

The Urban Art Museum in Lisbon is an interactive space that works well for visiting with children. It features optical installations and three-dimensional illusions that invite exploration. A room with inverted walls and an irregular floor creates surprising effects. Children can take fun photographs and test their perception in this engaging environment.

The Augusta Street Arch is a 23-meter stone triumphal arch built in 1875 that stands as a notable monument in Lisbon. Its facades feature statues of Viriato and Vasco da Gama, two important figures in Portuguese history. An elevator provides access to a viewpoint where visitors can take in views of the city and the Tagus valley. For children visiting Lisbon, this arch offers a chance to learn about Portugal's past while enjoying a perspective of the city from above.

Built in 1902, Santa Justa Elevator is an iron structure that connects Baixa to Chiado and serves as public transport. For children exploring Lisbon's monuments and historical buildings, this elevator offers a unique perspective of the city from above. Riding it gives young travelers a chance to see how the city unfolds and to learn about Lisbon's transportation history. This stop fits naturally into a route that combines architectural landmarks with hands-on experiences.

Commerce Square is a large public space framed by arcades in Lisbon where children can discover the city's history. This square was home to the royal palace until the 1755 earthquake destroyed it. Today, administrative buildings line the square, and families can walk through the open space to appreciate the architecture that was rebuilt after the earthquake and helped shape modern Lisbon.

The Senhora do Monte viewpoint in the Graça district provides wide views over Lisbon's rooftops, São Jorge Castle, and the Tagus estuary. From this location, children can observe the city's layout and how it spreads across several hills. This viewpoint works well as a stop while exploring Lisbon's monuments and historical buildings with children.

This red suspension bridge crosses the Tagus River and was completed in 1966. It stands out because of its bright red color and impressive length. Children can view the bridge from different spots around the city, especially from across the river where the sight is remarkable. The bridge sits high above the water and offers wide views of Lisbon and its harbor below. It is a notable landmark in the city that families often see while exploring Lisbon with children.

The National Tile Museum is housed in a 16th-century convent and displays a collection of Portuguese ceramic tiles spanning from the 15th century to today. When visiting with children, they can explore the history of tile-making and discover how artisans created these decorative works across different periods. The museum helps young visitors understand the artistic techniques and cultural influences reflected in the tile patterns and designs.

Built in 1502, this monastery was created to celebrate Vasco da Gama's return from India. It is part of Lisbon's family-friendly route and offers children a chance to explore Portuguese history and architecture. The monastery features several cloisters and decorated rooms that guide visitors through the age of exploration and discovery.

The Vasco da Gama Bridge spans the Tagus River and connects Lisbon to the southern bank, offering children a remarkable perspective on this major waterway. Opened in 1998, this structure represents modern engineering and provides an engaging viewpoint for families exploring the city. Kids can observe the river and surrounding landscape from this vantage point while learning about transportation history and the importance of this crossing.

Eduardo VII Park is a large green space in central Lisbon that works well for families visiting with children. The park features greenhouses to explore, a lake, sports fields, and plenty of open areas for playing and walking. From higher areas of the park, visitors can see the Tagus River and Lisbon's downtown skyline. Children can climb, run around, and enjoy the outdoors while parents relax on the grass.

This museum displays Egyptian, Greco-Roman, Islamic, and European artworks collected over centuries. Paintings, sculptures, and decorative objects span from ancient times to 1900. Young visitors find the collection approachable and engaging, with rooms arranged in a logical way that makes it easy to move through different periods and cultures. The surrounding gardens offer a pleasant place to rest and reflect between gallery visits.

This beach south of Lisbon stretches along the Atlantic coast with wide sandy shores backed by natural dunes. The Costa da Caparica offers playgrounds, restaurants, and facilities designed for families. Children can swim in the water, build sandcastles, and explore the dunes. The beach is relaxed and easy to reach by public transport. It makes a good addition to a family trip through Lisbon that combines city exploration with seaside time.