3 Family-Friendly Parks to Visit in Lisbon, Portugal

Families traveling in Lisbon will find Portugal’s capital welcoming to children. Although little legs may get tired from climbing the steep streets, riding on the old-style trolley cars and quirky funiculars like Elevador da Bica add elements of fun few other cities can match.

Neighborhood playgrounds (there’s even a tiny one in the crowded Alfama district) provide places for kids to play — and parents to relax on a shaded bench. Larger parks with playgrounds are scattered about the city. Three of them are our kids’ favorites.

Jardim do Príncipe Real
About a five-minute walk from São Pedro de Alcântara overlook, one of the best views of the city and its castle, is Jardim do Príncipe Real. Kids will be wowed by the gigantic cedar tree, so large an entire ring of benches fit under its shade. The playground is fenced, with slides, swings and climbing structures. Two kiosks serve drinks and snacks, and, on Saturdays, the park hosts a farmers’ market. You can get to the park on tram 24 from the Chiado or Bus 758 from Cais do Sodre train station.

Jardim da Praça Dom Luís
Another park with a playground is opposite the station, in front of the market building. Jardim da Praça Dom Luís is also fenced and has play equipment for younger children as well as the usual slides and climbing features. There’s a kiosk for drinks, and park benches for parents.

Jardim da Estrela
Farther from the central tourist attractions, but a good excuse for taking a longer ride on the famous Tram 28, Jardim da Estrela is a large, tree-shaded park opposite Estrela Basilica. On weekends you’ll be sharing the park with local families enjoying their picnics or sitting in the café while their kids play on grassy lawns or climb on the giraffe in the playground. The wooden giraffe and pirate ship make the park a favorite with young travelers, and for parents, its shady green space is a welcome break from busy city streets.