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Portugal with kids

Finding the right beach is essential for anyone travelling to Portugal with kids as wave sense equals freedom to let little ones run wild amongst the surf and sand along the Atlantic coast. Mountain biking, Roman ruins, wild forest walks and keeping safe in the summer sun; read on to find out what advice we give to families hoping to explore away from the Algarve.

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Travelling in Portugal with kids

Portugal is a friendlier, cheaper, more manageable and distinctive alternative to Spain.

Portugal with kids is awesome. Beaches go from deserted coves out of adventure yarns to surf-crashed nerve testers. On land, go biking or canoe wild rivers. Forest walks get an edge when wild boar are around! Culture can be slipped in with 2000 years of history from Roman ruins to churches decorated with skulls! Portugal's laidback rural life reveals another way of being – though quintas also offer swimming pools and mod cons. And unlike Spain, Portugal does dinner at sane times and even saner prices.

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Activities for families in Portugal

Cosy up to nature

Cork, pine and eucalyptus cover soft hills in the Algarve and Alentejo, while pristine rivers water flower-filled valleys heading towards bird-filled coastal strips – you can spot black vultures and flamingos in the Algarve. Or dive into central and northern Portugal's dramatic uplands for snowy peaks, abandoned villages and wild boar-filled woods.

Dig history

Portugal makes history captivating. Scout 3000-year-old Castro ruins or abandoned 20th century villages in the north, gawp at Roman temples and exotic Arabic palaces all over. In Lisbon and the south, discover epic tales of Europe's first great ocean explorers: Henry the Navigator, Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama.

S-Portugal!

Portugal's 1,800km of diverse coastline is a playground for active kids. Learn three ways to surf (wind, kite or wave), or check out marine life scuba-diving in a quiet Algarve bay. Inland, rivers offer cooling dips and kayaking, while wooded central hill regions are great for mountain biking and climbing.

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Andrew Winter offers some tips for Portugal with kids: “We love having families retreat with us. Hearing the voice of children playing in the rivers or running through the surrounding forests is such a delightful sound. Children of any age always add something special to every group we have. For dog-lovers, the Serra de Estrela is famous for its huge shaggy mountain dog! And Portugal isn't crowded - ever. There is always space even in high summer.”

Inge Keizer at our supplier Quinta Alfarrobeira shares some active possibilities for Portugal with kids, exploring a less touristy part of the Algarve: “It's a great place to just chill out, have barbecues - but you can also be active. All around there are beautiful beaches - we're close to Meia Praia, 5km of white sand that goes from close to our quinta all the way to Lagos – with lots of water sports possibilities: fishing, scuba-diving, wind surf, kite surf, wave surfing. Other outdoor activities include climbing, mountain biking and kayaking – or beautiful walks in the forest, and along the coast or cliffs. Portugal is also wonderful to eat out because it's such good value for money. If you go to a simple Portuguese restaurant, you can have a decent family meal for 4 with starter, main and drinks for less than 50 euros.”