Family Vacation in Lisbon & Cascais

Itinerary

• Day 1: Welcome to Lisbon

  Your Portugal adventure begins!

  Upon landing at the airport, meet your friendly private driver for a smooth transfer to your hotel in the heart of the city. Settle in and take the remainder time to recover from jet lag or go out to discover Lisbon's celebrated food with your kids.

  • Lisbon

• Day 2: Explore the Charm of Lisbon on Foot

  The morning is all about uncovering the magic of Lisbon with your private guide and driver. Start with catching a gorgeous panorama of this city from the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte lookout. Then, a walking tour of the historic Alfama district will take you to some of Lisbon's most time-honored places, including the seven-hundred-year-old Lisbon Cathedral.

  Next, head to the Commercial Plaza, once the epicenter of the city's maritime trade, and finish with an outside visit to the Belém Tower. Hear stories about Portugal's Age of Discovery and compete with your kids to see who can find more hidden symbols carved into the tower's stonework.The rest of the day is for your own arrangements!

  You might want to take your kids to the nearby Pastéis de Belém shop for the delicious Pastel de Nata egg tarts (own account), or visit the Museu Nacional dos Coches for its extensive collection of royal carriages!

  Optional Activity at Extra Cost: Traveling with little ones or just want to take it easy? Upgrade to a private electric Tuk Tuk tour and navigate Lisbon's hills and hidden alleys in comfort and fun.

  • B
  • Lisbon

• Day 3: Sintra Pena Palace & Coastal Cascais Adventure

  Get ready for a day of fairy tales and ocean breezes!

  Travel with your private guide to the hilltop Pena Palace in Sintra. Its bright red and yellow towers will bring you into a Disney movie. Strolling through the lavishly decorated halls and staterooms with your youngsters, listen to the stories of the Portuguese royal family while seeking the stone gargoyles and mythical beasts carved into the palace walls.

  After exploring the palace, wander along Sintra's cobblestone streets and let the kids pick up a local pastry like a Travesseiro or Queijada to try (own expense). Then, in the coastal town of Cascais, full of a relaxed, laid-back vibe, you can enjoy lunch by the sea (own expense). Finish the day at Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of continental Europe - perfect for a family photo with the Atlantic as your backdrop.

  • B
  • Lisbon

• Day 4: Lisbon Food Walking Tour

  This morning is for you and your family to discover Lisbon by yourselves! Perhaps take your kids to one of the city's many public parks, for example, Eduardo VII Park and Estrela Garden, for a relaxing moment under cool shades of green.

  In the afternoon, delight your taste palette with a food walking tour! Lisbon, the country's political center, is also its culinary capital with mouth-watering delicacies served in top-rated restaurants as well as neighborhood gem eateries. This join-in experience takes you on a culinary journey where you and your youngsters will stroll through old neighborhoods, soak up the sights and sounds, savor signature dishes and snacks loved by the locals, and gain a deeper appreciation for the nation's culinary traditions.

  • B
  • Lisbon

• Day 5: Journey to Tomar With Beach Break at the Nazaré

  Journey to Tomar today with your friendly driver-guide! Stop at the charming Óbidos, a postcard-perfect village that used to be a wedding gift from the king to the queen. Rambling along the cobblestone streets, don't miss a taste of the town's signature treat - Ginjinha (own account), a cherry liqueur cupped in a chocolate-made glass. Perhaps you can also perform a magic trick for your child: eating the cup in one bite!

  Traveling north, you'll reach the coastal town of Nazaré. This fishing-village-turned seaside resort town features long, sandy beaches, powerful waves perfect for surfing, and bustling markets selling a variety of local produce, with seafood having a big presence. You'll also visit the promontory of Sitio de Nazaré for a breathtaking panorama of the Atlantic.

  At the end of the day, arrive in Tomar for a leisurely evening.

  • B
  • Tomar

• Day 6: Tomar - Unveil the Mysteries of the Knights Templar

  Take a journey back in time to discover the mysteries and legends of the Knights Templar! Step into the Convent of Christ, once the Order of the Knights Templar's headquarters. Let your kids explore the mysterious knight symbols and learn how this legendary military once protected pilgrims and guarded the secrets of the medieval world.

  Then, visit the Largo do Pelourinho square, where a Baroque pillory will catch your attention. Later, at the Pegões Aqueduct, you'll marvel at how people in the 16th century built a 7-kilometer-long water channel to provide water to the Convent of Christ.

  The afternoon is reserved for your own explorations. A walk through the town's historic center is a great choice if you and your youngsters are into culture and history.

  • B
  • Tomar

• Day 7: Cascais, Kayak Tour

  Drive onwards to Porto with a stop in Coimbra to learn about the ancient capital's fascinating past! Visit the University of Coimbra (exterior view), the oldest and most prestigious in Portugal. Students here like to wear flowing black capes, the traditional school dress, which will let you feel like you've stepped into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

  Strolling along the cobbled lanes, you'll then reach the Santa Cruz Church (exterior view), the resting place of Portugal's first two kings. The square outside is great for a short family break. Kids can wander around the wide open square, count pigeons, or enjoy street artists' performances, while you can relax at a nearby café.

  Continue your journey north and reach Porto in the late afternoon.

  • B
  • Porto

• Day 8: Porto Walking Tour & Tile Painting Workshop

  Spend the morning in the heart of Porto with your kids for a fun walking tour! Roam around the Mercado do Bolhão and perhaps let your youngsters spend some pocket money on delicious snacks. Stop in front of the Lello Bookshop, famed as the world's most beautiful, for an exterior view, and hear the intriguing past of the Baroque-style Clérigos Tower. You'll also step inside São Bento Station to admire its beautiful azulejo tilework.

  Then, visit the iconic Porto Sé Cathedral, and stroll through the alleys of the Ribeira neighborhood with your knowledgeable guide filling you in on the area's fascinating history. Be sure to take the perfect family photo in front of the iconic Luís I Bridge!

  This afternoon, have fun being an artist during a Tile Painting Workshop! Learn about the stories behind azulejos, traditional tiles that adorn Porto's palaces and churches, draw beautiful patterns under the guidance of an instructor, get creative with the colors, and bring home a piece of Portugal as a meaningful souvenir!

  • B
  • Porto

• Day 9: Braga and Guimarães Day Trip With Beach Time

  Meet your driver-guide for a private transfer north to Guimarães, Portugal's first capital. Visit the restored Palace of the Dukes of Braganza for its Gothic splendors and enormous tapestries depicting scenes of the past. Next up is Braga, where a short ride on the heritage funicular (or a climb, depending on your interest) takes you to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. The brilliant neo-classical design and precious paintings of Pedro Alexandrino hosted inside add to the church's allure.

  After a dose of Portuguese history, the remainder of the day is for you and your youngsters to have some fun in Vila do Conde, a picturesque coastal town. The long stretches of soft, sandy beach here provide the perfect setting for a stroll to soak up the stunning ocean views and the laid-back vibe. There are also chances to try a variety of water sports here (own expense)! After a wonderful time, return to Porto for the night.

  • B
  • Porto

• Day 10: Peneda-Gerês National Park Easy Hike

  Venture into Peneda-Gerês National Park for a close encounter with nature! With a mountainous terrain cut through by rivers and streams, lush forests stretching as far as the eyes can see, beautiful waterfalls tumbling down the cliffs, and lovely wildlife and plants endemic to the area, Portugal's first and only national park is a paradise for outdoors activities, boasting ample chances for hiking, swimming, or simply indulging in nature's grandeur.

  With a local guide by your side, go on a hike along the trails to breathe in the crisp mountain air, spot unique plants, for example, the Gerês Lily and the Gerês Fetus, take in sweeping views from a lookout, and feel connected to this gorgeous land. If lucky enough, you'll meet wildlife such as Garrano ponies and roe deer, the latter being a symbol of the park. In the hot summer days, take a dip in the pools formed by cascading waterfalls to wash away the heat.

  • B L
  • Porto

• Day 11: Porto, Departure

  Your family trip to Portugal comes to an end today. Meet your driver for a private transfer to the airport. With sweet memories in your heart, board the flight home.

  • B