Travel Escapes

Three Fantastic Family Experiences around Lisbon, Portugal

When one thinks about Lisbon, the stunning capital city of Portugal, the image of sunny days spent at utopian-like beaches, peaceful walks through romantic streets as well as architecturally beautiful buildings instantly spring to mind. There is so much to do and see around Lisbon, but finding the attractions that will keep the entire family entertained is often a bit of a struggle.

Castelo de São Jorge, Lisbon
Castelo de São Jorge, Lisbon

The first step to any vacation is finding the perfect accommodation. Hotels are always available, but they don’t seem to offer that warm, family-styled getaway. Alternative accommodation, such as guesthouses, vacation apartments and cosy lodges are the perfect places to turn a good family vacation into a great one. These places usually offer a much more personalised stay, with a bit of a local spin thrown in.

With the accommodation box checked, here are some of the best places around Lisbon that are guaranteed to keep the whole family smiling.

Lisbon Zoo

With over 2000 animals calling the zoo their home, there is no doubt that people of all ages will enjoy spending a good couple of hours exploring the zoo and discovering all about the magnificent creatures that we find around the world. There are a number of exhibits designed specifically for children, such as the Petting Zoo as well as the mysterious Enchanted Forest. Some of the all-time favourites on show include the majestic Mountain Gorillas as well as the rare White Tigers.

Castelo de São Jorge

Who doesn’t love feeling like royalty? If you had to pick one of the best castles to explore worldwide, the Castelo de São Jorge should definitely make the list. The best way to describe this castle accurately would be as something straight out of a fairy tale kingdom. Be sure to take your camera along though, the views from the castle walls, of the city below, are definitely postcard-worthy.

Amphibious Hippotrip Tour

When most children are told that they will be going on a city bus tour, they roll their eyes and feel instantly bored. Luckily, this specific tour is unlike anything they would have ever experienced before. Just when you have had enough of the streets, the awesome tour vehicle darts off straight into the heart of the Tagus River. This exciting experience is the best way to learn a little more about Portugal and its rife history, in a way that is fun and extremely memorable.