Portugal is one of Europe’s finest destinations for a family holiday, boasting pristine beaches, a glorious climate, and excellent hotel complexes.

Families visiting Portugal will find their trip remarkably hassle-free. The country has a long-established tourism sector, everyone who works in tourism speaks English and shops are stocked with familiar products and recognisable brands. Parents will be pleasantly surprised by the level of service and care offered to families, especially those travelling with young children.

Safety and affordability are key factors for family holidays, and Portugal excels in both areas. The country remains one of Europe's most budget-friendly destinations, while maintaining a reputation for safety and hospitality.

Portugal is a fantastic choice for a family holiday, offering an outstanding experience for toddlers through to teenagers. This guide will provide practical tips and advice for families travelling to Portugal, along with suggestions for locations to be based in.
Related articles: Lisbon for families

The best location for your Portuguese family holiday depends on your children's ages and when you plan to visit. The following suggestions focus on the summer season (June to September):

 

 

Babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers (0-4)
For a holiday with babies and toddlers, it is better to be based in a calm, medium-sized resort town that has plenty of shops, dining options, and hotels, but is not overly hectic. It is useful to be close to an airport and have a sandy beach within walking distance.
• In the Algarve, the suggested towns that meet these requirements are: Carvoeiro, Alvor, Praia da Luz and Armação de Pêra.
• In the Lisbon region, recommended beach towns are: Cascais and Estoril.

Primary school children (5-12)
For young children, you'll want a similar setting to pre-schoolers, with a beautiful beach, clean sea waters, and easy access to shops and eateries. At this age, you'll likely be looking for activities to entertain the children, so you may choose a larger hotel complex with multiple pools and facilities.

The best area for this age group is central and western Algarve, from Lagos in the west through to Vilamoura in the east. Good options include Carvoeiro, Vilamoura, Alvor, Olhos de Água, Armação de Pêra, and Lagos.

The coastline west of Lisbon (known as the Portuguese Riviera) around Cascais and Estoril is also ideal for this age group. The advantage here is you could also take a day trip to Lisbon. Lisbon has many exciting activities for slightly older children (8+) with trams, a zoo, an oceanarium, and an amazing science centre.

For children 8+, you could consider a city break. If you want a holiday away from mass tourism locations for young children, consider São Martinho do Porto, a favourite with the Portuguese due to its sheltered beach. Sesimbra has a more traditional Portuguese feel and a beautiful sandy beach. Vila Nova de Milfontes is another option with a sheltered estuary beach but is a long way from any airport.

Teenagers (13-16)
For this age group, you'll want to be close to one of the exciting resort towns of the Algarve, with options for boat tours, waterparks, and glorious beaches. The four largest resort towns of the Algarve are Albufeira (Old Town Area), Lagos, Praia da Rocha, and Vilamoura. If you prefer to be close to the action but not right in it, then Olhos de Água, Alvor, and Carvoeiro are great options.

Note about Albufeira: Albufeira is the liveliest resort town of the Algarve and can be a fantastic option for older teenagers. However, avoid The Strip and Oura Beach area, as this is a popular location for group holidays (stag parties, etc.) and 20-year-olds wanting to party all night. This area to avoid is relatively small, and the area west of Santa Eulália beach is ideal for families.

With a teenage family, you could consider a holiday to Lisbon or Porto, mixing sightseeing with beach trips. Again, Cascais and Estoril are fantastic for this age group.

The interactive map below shows the location of these towns. The small red area in Albufeira marks the area for families to avoid. (Note: Zoom in or out to see all of the points)

Legend: 1) Carvoeiro 2) Alvor 3) Praia da Luz 4) Armação de Pêra 5) Cascais 6) Estoril 7) Vilamoura 8) Olhos de Água 9) Lagos 10) São Martinho do Porto 11) Sesimbra 12) Vila Nova de Milfontes 13) Albufeira (Old Town) 14) Praia da Rocha 15) Lisbon 16) Porto 17) Zoomarine - Marine theme park 18) Slide and Splash - water park

The ideal months for a family holiday in Portugal are May, June, and September. These months strike the perfect balance between glorious weather and fewer crowds.

Portugal generally enjoys hot, dry summers, pleasant spring and autumn seasons, and mild winters with occasional rainfall. Summer temperatures frequently climb above 35°C, accompanied by intense sunshine.

The Algarve in southern Portugal typically experiences hotter, drier weather, while the north tends to be cooler and wetter during winter months. Porto is a fantastic holiday destination during the summer months.

Most families gravitate towards the Algarve, where the beach-friendly weather lasts from May to mid-October. For your holiday, you may be constrained by school holidays, which coincide with the peak season. Be prepared for higher prices and busier towns during these periods.

The Easter holidays and summer half-term holiday can be great alternative times to visit the Algarve, offering much better value for money.

Portugal and the Algarve should not be considered winter sun holiday destinations, but they will always be significantly warmer and drier than northern Europe. If visiting during the winter, head to the larger Algarve resort towns (Albufeira, Lagos, Praia da Rocha) or Lisbon, where there are many activities for possible wet days. During the winter, choose Lisbon over Porto as it will have significantly less rain.

The following weather charts display the maximum daily temperature, average rainfall, and average hours of sunshine per day for Lisbon, Porto, and Faro (Algarve).

The Algarve offers a range of resorts catering to families. Here are some top picks:

Pestana Blue Alvor - This all-inclusive resort boasts kids' clubs, multiple pools, and varied activities. It's designed to keep all ages entertained and relaxed.
Martinhal Family Resort - Luxurious and family-focused, Martinhal offers child-friendly amenities and beachfront location. It's ideal for families seeking a mix of comfort and adventure.
Jupiter Albufeira Hotel - With its on-site water park and family entertainment programs, this hotel promises non-stop fun. Spacious rooms add to the family-friendly appeal.
Pine Cliffs Resort - This cliff-top resort features family suites, kids' clubs, and direct beach access. Its stunning location and recreational activities cater to all ages.
Aquashow Park Hotel - Perfect for water lovers, this hotel includes access to an exciting water park. It's a great choice for families seeking an active, adventurous holiday.
Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa - This luxury resort balances grown-up indulgences with family amenities. Multiple pools, kids' clubs, and diverse dining options ensure everyone's happiness.
Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort - This beachfront resort offers a blend of relaxation and fun. With kids' clubs, several pools, and varied dining, it caters well to family needs.

This section offers a collection of insights and advice we've gathered from years of exploring Portugal with our families. While some tips may be familiar, others address aspects unique to Portuguese culture and travel:

The Portuguese tend to let their children stay up very late; the evening meal starts around 7 pm and often continues late into the night.

Holiday apartments can be an excellent option for families, offering advantages over standard hotel rooms. They typically provide a small kitchen for preparing meals, which can be both convenient and cost-effective

All medicines and sun cream/lotions are very expensive in Portugal; bring them from your home country.

For minor illnesses or issues, usually the best place to start is a pharmacy. Pharmacists in Portugal are highly qualified, and can dispense most medicines.

If flying with low-cost airlines or on charter flights, always try to book a morning flight as these will have the least delays (or cancellations).

Portugal is a very hilly country (Lisbon, Porto, Albufeira), and the decorative calçada cobbled streets are a nightmare for small-wheeled pushchairs.

All cafés will provide free tap water, but baby changing facilities may be very limited.

Always have sufficient travel insurance, never skimp on it in case of illness, missed flights or other cancellations.

Albufeira and Praia da Rocha have reputations as party holiday destinations, with a diverse range of visitors, very busy centres and nights continuing into the early hours. These towns are still great for families, but it would be a good idea to book a family hotel which is a little out of the centre.

The Strip in Albufeira has become popular with groups, stag and hen parties. It is sad to write this, but the area is not a great location for a family holiday with young children.

A rental car can be a useful extra for a family holiday especially to heading the Algarve. If you are having a holiday to Porto or Lisbon, then a rental car is not needed due to the excellent public transport and the availability of the ride hailing apps of Uber and Bolt. Driving in the Algarve is very easy, but in Lisbon and Porto driving is much more challenging and best avoided.

When considering a rental car, it's crucial to factor in additional costs beyond the base rental fee. All car hire companies offer optional Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) insurance to reduce the high excess (typically £800 or more) on the standard insurance. This extra coverage usually costs between £10-15 per day, which can potentially double your total rental expense. Families with young children should also budget for car seats, which rental companies provide at around £5 or more per day per seat.

Only get a rental car if you're going to fully use it.
Related articles: Portugal car rental guide

Lisbon
Lisbon Oceanarium - One of Europe's largest aquariums, featuring a diverse array of marine life from around the world. Its centerpiece is a massive central tank that children will find mesmerizing.

Lisbon Zoo - Home to over 2,000 animals representing 300 species, the zoo offers a fun and educational day out. It includes a cable car ride for unique views of the animal enclosures.

Ride on the yellow tram - An iconic Lisbon experience that's as thrilling for kids as it is for adults. The historic Tram 28 route offers a scenic tour through the city's narrow, hilly streets.

Parque das Nações - A modern district with family-friendly attractions including gardens, playgrounds, and a cable car. It's also home to the Oceanarium and Science Museum.

Pavilhão do Conhecimento - This interactive science center encourages hands-on learning with exhibits covering various scientific concepts. It's designed to engage curious minds of all ages.

Tuk-Tuk tours - A novel way to explore the city, especially appealing to children. These small, three-wheeled vehicles can navigate Lisbon's narrow streets, offering a unique perspective on the city's sights.

Algarve
Zoomarine - A popular marine park suitable for all ages, featuring dolphin and sea lion shows, an aquarium, and amusement rides. It offers a mix of entertainment and education about marine life.

Water parks - The Algarve boasts three exceptional water parks: Slide and Splash, Aquashow, and Aqualand. Each offers a unique array of thrilling slides, lazy rivers, and water attractions.

Dolphin watching boat tours - Available from most resort towns, these tours offer the chance to see dolphins in their natural habitat. It's an exciting and memorable experience for the whole family.

Lagos Zoo - A smaller, more intimate zoo ideal for younger children. It focuses on conservation and education, housing a variety of animals in naturalistic habitats.

Parque Aventura - High ropes adventure parks in Lagos and Albufeira, offering treetop obstacle courses suitable for different age groups and skill levels.

Karting - For young speed enthusiasts, the Algarve's karting tracks provide safe racing thrills. The international circuit in Portimão is particularly impressive.

Parque da Mina - An eco-park near Monchique that combines nature walks with cultural experiences, including a recreated traditional Algarvian village and old mine tunnels.