Portugal has long been popular with families - especially the Algarve with its Blue Flag beaches and its child-friendly accommodation and attractions, including aqua-parks. But this is a diverse country with plenty more to offer, including charming fishing villages and marinas, rocky coves and magnificent cultural sights from its long history (this is one of the oldest countries in Europe). Portugal’s relatively small size also makes it easy to travel around, meaning you can explore more than one of its diverse regions in one trip.
It may be most famous as the home of port dessert wine, but Porto/Oporto has a wonderful UNESCO World Heritage listed historic centre to explore, and it’s also the gateway to untouristy beaches and resorts and unspoilt villages to the north (between Vila do Conde and the mouth of the Rio Miño). Among several national/natural parks here, home to waterfalls and vineyards, are Peneda-Gerês National Park with its hiking trails. There are also two further World Heritage sites: the Alto Douro wine region and the Côa Valley with its jeep tours to prehistoric rock carvings.
Portugal’s Central region is home to the Berlengas Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Biosphere archipelago with hiking trails and monastery and fort ruins to happen upon, and a real get-away-from-it-all feel. The Berlengas is a nature 'sanctuary' and subsequently has a limit on the number of daily visitors so make sure to book your trip in advance. Families also love the Bioparque Pisao de Carvalhais, where activities include abseiling, climbing, treasure hunts, horse-drawn carriage tours, traditional games and crafts workshops.
One of Europe’s most laidback, family-friendly capitals has a huge amount to do with kids when you’re not feasting on its famous pasteis de nata, several hands-on museums, colourful trams and funiculars to ride, and the Principe Real Gardens. It’s also just a short trip out to the beaches of Sintra, including Praia de Macas with its great bodyboarding and Praia Grande for surfing.
North of the Algarve and east of Lisbon, Portugal’s most sparsely populated region is a great place for stargazing in its Alqueva Dark Sky Zone. Lake Alqueva itself is popular for boating and water sports, while nearby hilltop Monsaraz with its views to Spain has an ancient castle and guided horse back tours to watch the stunning sunset. With older kids, the Capela dos Osso with its walls and pillars covered with skulls and bones, is a ghoulish delight; the same city, Evora, has great Roman ruins. Last up is the spectacular Tróia Peninsula with 65km of wild Atlantic beaches.
One of the world’s very best destinations for family holidays, especially with younger kids, the southernmost region of the country is blessed with year-round sunshine, Blue Flag, great water parks and a vast array of sporting options for all ages, from golf and tennis to canoeing and surfing in certain areas. All of the popular resorts offer a fantastic selection of water sports.
Increasingly recognised as a great destination to visit with kids, this Atlantic island is another year—round spot with blissfully warm summers and mild winters. The scenery is the star: hike the levadas (water channels that bring rainwater off hillsides), mountain-bike on world-class trails, kayak or SUP paddleboard along the coastline, take a boat trip to see dolphins and other marine life, and ride a cable-car up to Monte and the Botanical Gardens.
These lush volcanic islands in the Atlantic are another great spot for whale- and dolphin-watching trips, as well as kayaking, paddleboarding, canyoning, coasteering, hiking, biking and exploring sulphuric pools and grottoes. Island-hopping can be a great way to take it all in – highlights include the extinct volcano on Graciosa, where you can climb down to the bottom of the crater.
If you're ready for a family trip to Portugal, contact your Travel Counsellor today.
There are so many great reasons to experience certain destinations in the shoulder seasons – that sweet spot between a region’s peak season and off-season. Think fewer crowds and queues for major attractions, better-value flights and other travel, and a more authentic experience of the destination. We’ve put our heads together to share a few of our favourite places that can be just as good or even better outside of high season.
Discover a slice of paradise that’s perfect for everyone at Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort. Nestled on Portugal's serene Algarve coast, this resort offers the ultimate combination of luxury and entertainment, ensuring both kids and adults have an unforgettable stay. With spacious accommodation overlooking picturesque scenes and separate zones catering to privacy, relaxation, and family fun, Anantara Vilamoura is the epitome of a luxury haven.
Explore the USA with Aer Lingus with seasonal flights from Dublin. Experience the hustle and bustle of New York, the sandy beaches of Miami, or the art and culture of San Francisco. Whether you are looking for a fun-filled family holiday or a romantic getaway, the USA has something for everyone.
