3 Days in Lisbon: Family Travel Guide

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We spent 3 days in Lisbon as part of a ten day journey in Portugal. It’s known to be “The City of Seven Hills,” however I couldn’t imagine a more family-friendly city. Between the gorgeous azulejos adorning the buildings and windy cobblestone streets, the quaint charm captivated me in so many ways. It’s the perfect place to live life a bit slower and stroll around aimlessly.

In this guide we will highlight the places we saw. Overall we had a pretty loose schedule without a strict itinerary. You can easily customize it to your liking. So we hope this gives you practical advice on what to see with or without kids.

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3 Days in Lisbon with Kids

This 3 day guide gives a brief taste of the charming city of Lisbon. You’ll explore Chiado, Rossio, Baixa, Alfama, Graca, Bairro Alto, and Belem. It also includes a day trip to Sintra, a must see while in Portugal.

In This Article
Traveling with Kids in Lisbon
Best Time to Go
Where to Stay in Lisbon
Helpful Tips for Lisbon
Baixa, Chiado, Alfama, Bairro Alto
Day Trip to Sintra
Cais do Sodre, Time Out Market, Belem, Jeronimos Monastery

Traveling with Kids in Lisbon

I had heard that Lisbon was rather kid-friendly, so I thought it would make a great family trip. With all the hills, crowded trams, and bumpy streets it’s not the most stroller-friendly. But if you have a carrier, or older kids that can walk it’s a lot easier. Riding one of the trams is a must-do, our daughter loved the experience!

If you want to see some Fado music a lot of the places either did not allow kids, or only allowed older ones. However we were able to book an earlier time at A Severa, and catch part of the Fado show. The food itself was a bit pricey for what it was, but the experience was nice. If you don’t have kids with you we recommend one of the other clubs from this list.

Another option is to see Fado Inside the Box, at Adega Machado, a one hour show with wine, snacks and bread. It’s from 5:00-6:00pm and is perfect for families who want to experience the music.

Best Time to Go to Lisbon

Typically it’s best to go to Lisbon between March and May or September-October. The weather is warm, and because it’s the off-season prices are cheaper and it’s less crowded. June-August tend to be hot and busy. We went in early July and lucked out with cooler weather, however we still couldn’t escape the crowds. November-February are the winter months which means more rain and grey skies with cooler temperatures. Because we went during the busy season we decided to do a road trip outside of Lisbon which allowed us to escape the usual tourist crowds. In the summer the beaches in the Algarve get packed, so if you plan to go here usually off-season is ideal.

Looking to go beyond Lisbon? Check out our road trip itinerary to Portugal.

Where to Stay in Lisbon

With the short time we had here we wanted to stay central, so we chose Chiado. Baixa and Alfama are also popular areas to stay that are near a lot of main sites and restaurants.

I booked a few nights at Chiado Arty Flats, funky and modern apartments and studios with nice city views. Our unit had a kitchen with a dining area, and queen sized bed. They also setup a little bed for our daughter as well. It’s conveniently located near Bairro Alto, and the Rossio train station.

We were welcomed with pasteis de nata and port wine and also a glass bottle of water. Breakfast was included and usually an assortment of pastries, breads, ham, cheese, yogurt, granola and juice. There was a coffee machine and free WIFI in our room during the stay. It was such a comfortable place with easy access to transportation. It was also walking distance from a lot of great restaurants and bars.

Looking for more places to stay in Lisbon? See more.

3 Days in Lisbon Day 1: Chiado, Rossio, Baixa, Alfama, Bairro Alto

The first day we focused on four neighborhoods stopping at some highlights in each. We explored Chiado, Rossio, Baixa, and Alfama. Chiado is an artsy area known for it’s shopping, and is a mix of old and new. There are a lot of great restaurants and bars in this area, and it’s a great place to stay. Rossio is right next to it and is the heart of the city. It contains the main square and is usually the busiest. Baixa is considered the downtown part with a lot of shopping and touristy shops. It’s also very busy and can get quite crowded. Alfama is the oldest and most charming area of the city, with a lot of narrow cobblestone streets and perfect for photographers.

By the time we arrived in Lisbon it was almost lunch-time. We checked into our hotel, left our bags and immediately started exploring starting with the Chiado area. Along the way we stopped for lunch at Oficina do Duque as recommended by a local and enjoyed a relaxing seafood lunch outside. There is also a great gelato place nearby called Gelato di Chef which made for a delicious snack.

Intro to Lisbon
Get the perfect introduction to Lisbon with this tour. You’ll visit Bairro Alto, Chiado, admire the city from a viewpoint, and take the tram to Alfama. Includes a guide, tram ride, and a coffee break.

Chiado: Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara, Gloria Funicular, São Roque Church, Rua Garrett

After lunch we started exploring without a set plan. We did not have a strict schedule of what to see, but more so focused on certain neighborhoods each day. Lisbon is definitely one of those cities that is great to explore by foot. As we walked uphill we came across one of the many viewpoints, Miradouro Sao Pedro de Alcantara. It’s not the most spectacular viewpoint in the city since I noticed some construction vehicles below, however there’s a nice garden here with benches to relax.

Right beside the viewpoint you’ll see the Ascensor da Gloria as you descend down the pathway. Also nearby is the Convento de São Pedro de Alcântara, a gorgeous baroque church with beautiful azulejo tiles and ornamental style. It’s worth taking a brief look inside at the chapel and great for those who love architectural details.

As you continue walking past the Gloria Funicular you’ll come across the church of São Roque. This stunning place miraculously survived the earthquake of 1755 and contains quite the history. It doesn’t look too special from the outside, but the inside is a gem.

One of the main shopping areas in Chiado is Rua Garrett. There is a large variety of shops, restaurants and street vendors here. You can also check out one of the oldest bookstores, Bertrand Bookshop built in 1732. Unfortunately because of the little time we had here we couldn’t browse or shop much. However if it’s important for you to shop we suggest spending more time in this area.

Rossio: Carmo Convent, Santa Justa Lift, Rossio Square

After checking out the shopping areas we came upon Carmo Convent. Here you can see the ruins left by the destruction from the 1755 earthquake. There is also a small museum here, but we only checked out the ruins. It was interesting to see what’s left against the open sky, a reminder of the tragedy from the disaster.

Nearby you can also see the Santa Justa Lift, Neo-Gothic iron tower and very popular place to see in Lisbon. The views from the top are beautiful, but the wait is also very long. For this reason we decided to just admire it from below. Apparently there’s a small gift shop across the street which will take you up. Then you just have to pay 1.50 euros to walk the staircase to the top.

While you’re in the area you can also see Rossio Square, which is the heart of Lisbon. There are several cafes to stop by here, and monuments to see. It’s also nearby the Rossio Train station which takes you to Sintra and other areas outside of the city.

Baixa: Rua Augusta, Rua Augusta Arch, Praca do Comercio

If you continue to walk downhill along the Rua Augusta you’ll lead straight to the Rua Augusta Arch. This street is very busy and touristy and not the best place to stop for food or shopping. Because of all the tourists things tend to be overpriced here and not the greatest. However it’s worth walking along here to see the arch, as the details are incredible.

Unfortunately we happened to be here while it was crowded, but if you go early in the morning it’s very quiet. Walking through the arch will lead you to the Praca do Comercio. This is the main square with views of vibrant yellow facades and the Tagus River. The palace used to be located here before it was destroyed in the earthquake. From here you can take a tram to Belem, another popular area to see.

Alfama: Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, São Jorge Castle, Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Miradouro das Portas do Sol

From Praco do Comercio we started walking towards Alfama. We reached the Santo António Church where we decided we would take a tuk tuk up to one of the viewpoints. If you’re into churches then you definitely want to take a look inside this 18th-century Baroque beauty. Because we were already short on time we decided to continue on.

The tuk tuk driver took us all the way up to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte, the highest viewpoint in the city. This was our favorite out of all that we went to. Nicknamed Our Lady of the Hill, it offers spectacular views over the city including a view of the castle and beyond. Because it’s so far uphill, most tourists don’t think to come here. So it was a lot more quiet than others.

Miradouros of Lisbon

We decided to walk down after spending some time here. It’s a nice way to see more of the Graca neighborhood leading into Alfama. You can also visit a few viewpoints along the way including Miradouro da Graca, Miradouro de Santa Luzia, Miradouro das Portas do Sol. You can grab a drink from Miradouro de Santa Luzia to relax and watch the sunset. Another great place to watch is from the São Jorge Castle.

Alfama is best explored by foot and we recommend going off the beaten path a bit. Smells of food filled the air as we walked through the quaint alleyways. This was by far our favorite part of the city and would love to see more on a return trip.

Fado in Bairro Alto

While planning the trip I knew I wanted to see some live Fado music. However while researching I quickly learned that bringing a child to one of the later shows wasn’t going to be an option. I contacted several places and finally was able to book an earlier table at A Severa around 8:00pm which allowed us to see part of the show that began at 9pm. This worked out perfectly so that we could still bring our daughter and experience hearing the music. Without kids we recommend checking out one of the other places from this list.

3 Days in Lisbon Day 2: Sintra Day Trip

We decided to spend the second day on a day trip outside of Lisbon. You can easily get there by train from Rossio station and it takes about 40 minutes. From the station there are plenty of tuk tuks or cars to bring you up, or you can walk the whole way. Since we were short on time we decided to take a car up.

Castle of the Moors

The first stop of the day is Castle of the Moors. If you’re not interested in seeing this one you can skip it, but we enjoyed it. It only took a little over an hour to walk around the castle walls and it’s worth the beautiful views of Pena Palace. Be careful as you walk along the walls, there are some parts that have no guard rail. It’s especially important to watch your kids on these parts with the big drop below. There is a small cafe with some snacks like sandwiches and chips which gave us a bit of energy for the next stop.

Pena Palace

Castle of the Moors is conveniently located right nearby, so we walked from here. Since we started the day around 1pm, we got here around 3pm. There were definitely some crowds but it wasn’t too bad. We ended up purchasing the ticket for the parks and the palace, which allowed us to go onto the terrace. For us it was worth the cost as we found there were less people in this area which felt refreshing. We also got a glimpse inside the palace which was interesting. Overall it’s a truly stunning place no matter how touristy it is and definitely a must during your visit to Sintra.

Since we still had one place left to see we couldn’t see much of the parks. We decided to walk down to the Valley of the Lakes, which was an easy and pleasant walk. If you must choose only one part of the park to see, this one was quite the fairytale. There were swans within the lake with a few duck houses. The paths were lined with beautiful greenery and flowers. It was a delight to spend some time here and less crowded too. We definitely recommend checking this out after you see the palace. You can easily dedicate a full day to the parks if you have more time.

Quinta da Regaleira

The last stop on our day trip to Sintra was Quinta da Regaleira. People usually come here to see the Initiation Well, however the grounds and the residence are worth a look as well. We spent about a few hours here first checking out the well, and climbing into the caves and grottoes, then we came out and explored the gardens. Our time ended here checking out the beautiful and quirky architecture of the quinta.

Historical Center of Sintra

After exploring all three sites on our list, we ended the day in the historical center. We grabbed a bite to eat in the main center, which was quite touristy. However all of the small local places were booked up. Don’t forget to grab travesseiros (puff pastry with a filling of almonds, egg and cinnamon) from Casa Piriquita, a famous dessert shop in town.

See more: Day Trip to Sintra Portugal

Alternative Option
If you’re interested in both Cascais and Sintra, this tour takes you to both cities for the full day. You will visit a few highlights in each and also the westernmost part of Europe, Cabo da Roca. Includes transportation and entrance fees to the sites.

Cais do Sodre, Time Out Market, Belem, Jeronimos Monastery

On our last day in Lisbon we decided to book a different hotel, so we stayed at the Flores Guesthouse. This charming hotel is located in the Misericordia area not far from Baixa and Bairro Alto. It does not have an elevator so keep that in mind if you’re staying on a higher floor. They serve breakfast every morning in a little basket which hangs outside your door. The staff was extremely helpful and accommodating, and even helped with a slight issue we had with our rental car. We would definitely stay again when we return to Lisbon!

Time Out Market

Day 3 of Lisbon was actually our last day of our ten day trip in Portugal. We had spent the first few days here, then left on a road trip to various areas, and came back before having to fly out the next morning. Since we had driven from Porto, we arrived around lunchtime. Time Out Market is supposed to be one of the must sees in Lisbon, so we decided to check it out.

Although the food was great, it was extremely busy during lunch which made the experience not so pleasant. We didn’t even get a table, so we had to eat standing up. I’m not sure what the ideal time to come here is, but maybe an off-time in between lunch and dinner would be better. Other than that, there are some great food vendors here to try and get a taste of what the city has to offer.

Cais do Sodre

After lunch you’ll be right in the center of the Cais do Sodre neighborhood. It runs right along the river and is full of trendy bars, restaurants and beautiful views. It also puts you in a great location with easy access to Belém, our next stop of the day.

Jeronimos Monastery

The tram to Belém had very long lines, so we decided to take an uber instead. It was actually rather affordable, so we recommend using it if you want to get somewhere fast. The driver dropped us off at Jeronimos Manastery first, then we walked to Belém Tower.

We visited the monastery at a perfect time during golden hour, with the light shining so beautifully. You have to purchase your tickets at a different entrance, then walk down to the other entrance which will get you inside. You can visit the chapel for free, but we decided to pay to walk around inside. The details on the architecture are stunning and it’s easy to see why it’s a UNESCO world heritage site. We spent a little over an hour here felt it was plenty.

Nearby is the famous Pasteis de Belem where you must get some pasteis de nata. We lucked out with a shorter line, but it also moved very quickly. You can also get a table inside which might end up being faster depending on the take-out line. They really are worth the wait and we enjoyed every bite.

Belém Tower

28 Tram & Dinner

We had the uber driver take us to one of the 28 Tram stops. Although it’s touristy, we wanted to at least experience it before leaving. You can ride it the whole way, but we got off in Chiado so we can find a place to eat. Since we didn’t book a place ahead of time, we spontaneously walked around and came across A Cultura do Hambúrguer on a whim. They were able to seat us within 10 minutes and it was the perfect laid-back place to spend our last night. Not to mention the burgers and drinks were delicious too! Sometimes having no plan can be a nice surprise.

The Best 3 Days in Lisbon

Lisbon is a beautifully charming city with so much history. It’s the perfect place for any kind of traveler and we enjoyed it as a family. The people are friendly, the food is delicious and it has a vibrant feel to it. We absolutely loved our time here and it’s a must see while in Portugal! If you have additional time in the country, check out our one day trip to Obidos. There’s so much to see even beyond the bigger cities, and an easy car trip away!

Have you been to Lisbon? If so we’d love to hear more!

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