7 Family-Friendly Experiences in Lisbon

Planning family travel to Lisbon, Portugal, in 2023? Consider these seven family-friendly experiences, from a fun gondola lift to dolphin watching to a great aquarium.

Tagus River Tours

A major attraction in Lisbon, the Tagus River offers many ways for families to enjoy its beauty. Whether it’s strolling along the bank or taking a sailboat at sunset, enjoying time on one of the longest rivers in Portugal and Spain is a must when in the city. Kids love boarding a boat and passing under Ponte 25 de Abril, one of the largest suspension bridges in Europe.

© Turismo de Lisboa

Knowledge Pavilion – Ciência Viva

Head to this interactive museum of science and technology to experience its many gadgets, video installations and interactive games designed for families with children. Located next to the Oceanarium, the museum features large thematic exhibitions and promotes scientific and educational initiatives.

© Turismo de Lisboa

Oceanarium

The largest indoor aquarium in Europe, Oceanarium boasts more than 8,000 unique and common marine mammals, creatures and plants. The central aquarium holds 5 million liters of saltwater, symbolizing the global ocean and the life within. Four marine habitats surround the central aquarium, and kids can enjoy guided tours to see sharks, rays, otters, penguins, seabirds, jellyfish and more.

© Turismo de Lisboa

Lisboa Story Center

Learn about the city’s history at Lisboa Story Center, an interactive and immersive installation in Terreiro do Paço. The technology-based installation brings guests back into time with an audio guide system presenting historically accurate events and scenes from different eras of Lisbon.

© Turismo de Lisboa

Parque das Nações Gondola Lift

View Lisbon from above in these closed cabins, suitable for up to eight people. Lasting eight–12 minutes, the 1,230-meter ride ventures over the Tagus River at 30 meters above sea level, allowing families to enjoy great views of the city.

Beaches and Dolphin Watching

With an array of beaches for all ages to enjoy, the hardest part of having a beach day in Lisbon is deciding which beach to visit. At the World Surfing Reserve in Ericeira, enjoy incredible waves and quiet water coves. Embark on a dolphin-watching boat tour in Arrábida to see these marine mammals up close.

© Turismo de Lisboa

Tapada Nacional de Mafra

This recreational and hunting park, built under King João V, spans more than 800 hectares and offers a variety of activities. Home to animals like foxes, squirrels, eagles, falcons, deer and more, the park allows kids to see these animals in their natural habitat. The park also offers activities like horseback riding, archery, mountain biking and walking tours.