Family road trip in Portugal: our practical guide

You don’t organise a family itinerant holiday like you would organise a romantic one. With your little tribe, you leave nothing to chance and you book your hotels in advance, otherwise, you’ll end up on the roadside. Determining the time spent between each stage also seems to us unavoidable. Little Guest advises a maximum of 3 hours drive between each one, especially with a small child. If you plan to ride longer, a break every 2 hours is always welcome.

Water bottles within reach, small snacks, cushions to take a nap, blinds to protect you from the bright sun of the Portuguese summers…Not forgetting the holiday playlist to sing at the top of your lungs and little games to pass the time. Are your children bored again and again? A surprise packet should keep them on their toes.

With bandages, paracetamol, motion sickness medication…

Little Guest offers you three checklists: for children from 0 to 3 years old; from 3 to 6 years old and from 6 to 12 years old.

Check that their vaccination book is up to date. Our article on vaccination will give you some pointers. Travelling alone with your children? Think about the necessary authorizations to leave the country and take a look at our article on the subject.

If you arrive by car from France or Spain, drive directly to Torres Vedras.

Once in Torres Vedras, discover the exciting history of this city, which played a key role in the attempted invasion of Napoleon’s French troops. Visit the Torres Vedras Castle, located in the heart of the city. To discover the weapons and uniforms of the period, visit the Torres Vedras Municipal Museum. After all these visits, wander through the typical little streets of the city to soak up the Portuguese air.

Fans of the Mesozoic era will not hesitate to visit Dino Parque, a theme park which, as its name suggests, is dedicated to the discovery of the great dinosaurs. It is the largest outdoor museum in Portugal and is considered one of the best activities around Lisbon! Here you will have the chance to discover more than 180 life-size models of dinosaurs, as you wander along the 4 paths representing the 4 great periods in the history of the evolution of life on Earth. Numerous exhibitions are organised throughout the year, fun guaranteed for the whole family!

Finally, don’t miss Santa Cruz, this adorable and traditional port city that guarantees both small and large families an exceptional experience combining beaches, nature, discovery and outdoor sports.

The Noah Surf House is, in our opinion, the ideal place to start your dream holiday. Located in the heart of Santa Cruz, which we mentioned earlier, the hotel blends perfectly into the surrounding seascape. Two architects have taken on the mission of transforming this former summer camp into a top-of-the-range hotel complex dedicated to relaxation but also (and above all) to surfing and other sport activities. Young and old alike can enjoy surfing or skateboarding lessons (the hotel has its own skatepark!), cooking or creative workshops, and even yoga or pilates classes. Finally, it is impossible to miss the exceptional infinity pool and the fantastic view of the sea.

To see the city as a whole, Little Guest recommends a boat trip on the Tagus River aboard the amazing Hippotrip.  This incredible bus turns into an amphibious vehicle as the tour progresses. It is sure to be an unforgettable experience!

Always to please your children, Little Guest proposes you to devote a moment of your stay to the fantastic and poetic world of puppets in the museum dedicated to them. Located in a popular district without artifice, where the soul of the real Lisbon still floats, this atypical museum presents puppets, bunnies and other dolls from the Iberian tradition. Children can learn about Chinese shadow theatre and small shows are sometimes performed for the young public. To continue on this arty wave, a visit to the Fado museum is a must. More than a type of music, it is an art of living that you can discover on a Portuguese guitar background. From one room to another, let the music charm your tribe before ending the day in one of these small cafés where live music concerts are in full swing. Itineraries to the puppet museum and the Fado museum.

Lisbon has a very special way of life, with gastronomy and azulejos as its spearheads. To combine these two specialities, go to the Bélem district not far from its famous tower. Rich in historical monuments, this part of the city is also a paradise for sweet-toothed. You can taste creamy pastéis de nata just out of the oven in the very famous Antigua confeitaria. In this traditional decor all in blue and white and covered with azulejos (traditional tiles decorated with blue patterns) they are even better. On the way back, don’t forget to go and greet the tower of Bélem, even with your mouth full! Itinerary

For a dive in the heart of Lisbon, it is at the Martinhal Lisbonne Chiado Family Suites ***** that Little Guest advises you to stay. Ideally located in the historical centre, it is easy to discover Lisbon, Queen of the Tagus for the close ones. In a contemporary decor enhanced with touches of bright colours, the family suites and the hotel’s restaurant bend over backwards to welcome you and your children. The Martinhal Lisbonne Chiado Family Suites guarantee perfect alchemy between the freedom of a suite, the comfort of a high-quality hotel and the service of a children’s club (from 6 months). For more inspiration, check out our article on Lisbon with your family!

When you can, take the road along the west coast, you won’t regret it. When the ocean-beaten creeks and the raw beauty of the beaches of the western Algarve jump out at you, it’s because the Vincentian coast is not far away. Lulled by the Atlantic currents and turned towards nature, this part of the region abounds in surfing spots. The whole family can enjoy a good dose of sea spray on the Praia de Cordoama. Surrounded by high black cliffs, this wild beach is more than ideal for a walk with your feet in the water, facing the immensity.

This part of the coast, classified as a protected natural site, is a paradise for hikers and lovers of grandiose landscapes. More information and hiking ideas on the site of the nature park. Itinerary

After these impressive but tiring long walks, a cruise off the coast is a must. Albufeira and its astonishing ochre-coloured rocks are highly recommended for budding sailors. Don’t miss under any circumstances the marine cave of Benagil, a true natural wonder. Do you want to go back in time? The San Bernada, a sailing boat worthy of the greatest expeditions around the world, takes you in its wake to discover the coastline. All aboard!

A 40-minute drive from Porches is the city of Lagos, which has a beautiful historic centre and a great beach with plenty to do. Cruises, beaches, majestic cliffs, water sports or diving, there is something for all tastes

The Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa ***** welcomes you to an exceptional setting, between a rocky coastline, a sandy beach and a romantic bay. The hotel offers a multitude of rooms, suites and villas in a chic, timeless atmosphere, as well as facilities that are just as incredible. The infinity pool and paddling pool surrounded by swings are a must in the typical Algarve heat. The hotel even offers direct access to a pretty little cove sheltered from the wind. As for the children, they won’t know where to turn as the activities organised by the various kids’ clubs are so numerous and varied!

While you’re at it, why not take advantage of this favourable environment to perfect your swing smoothly? The greens of Vale do Lobo and Quinta, two award-winning golf resorts, have an excellent reputation! After walking on the mythical greens of the seaside resort, spending the rest of the day on the beach at Quinta do Lago seems to be a good option. A wide range of water sports will delight the adventurous (kite-surfing, jet-skiing…) while the gourmets flock to the terrace of the famous grilled fish restaurant « Gigi ». This small wooden hut lost in the dunes is adored by children for its Robinson atmosphere and by parents for its gastronomy. A destination that has become mythical on the coast! Itinerary

This is a stage that should give inspiration to your small builders for their future sandcastles. Imagine an open-air park by the sea, inhabited by incredible sand sculptures… in Fiesa Sand city, more than 35,000 tons of sand are shaped, giving life to monuments up to 12 metres high. Each year, a different theme is exploited and immerses its visitors into a fantastic universe full of surprises. Itinerary

Move away for a moment from the seaside, to join the rural landscapes of Barrocal, this fertile strip of land between sea and mountains. After visiting the fortress of Silves, don’t miss under any circumstances the charming little town of Loulé and its white houses. Its market, set up in a splendid neo-Moorish hall, abounds in local products: filled figs, marzipan, carob tarts, local crafts…gourmands, don’t refrain