With kids · Porto · Portugal
Porto with kids
Family-tested sights, a calm base and the practical details that make travelling with children easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Porto works for families who don't mind hills: riverside walks, boat trips, trams, gardens with peacocks and the beaches of Foz and Matosinhos. Pushchairs struggle on steep cobbles and stairs, so a baby carrier is easier. Top picks: Six bridges river cruise, Jardins do Palácio de Cristal and Sea Life Porto. Families usually base themselves in Baixa and Aliados.
Key facts
- Family picks
- 6
- Best area for families
- Baixa and Aliados
- Rainy-day options
- 1
- Busiest months
- June–August
Best things to do with kids
Experience · Ribeira
1.Six bridges river cruise
Boats styled on the traditional rabelo cargo boats leave from Ribeira and Gaia for a cruise of about 50 minutes under Porto's six bridges, from the Arrábida bridge near the river mouth to the São João and Maria Pia railway bridges upstream.
Sit on the upper deck on the Gaia side for the best views of Ribeira.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- Couples
Garden · Massarelos
2.Jardins do Palácio de Cristal
These hilltop gardens laid out in the 19th century have shaded paths, fountains, peacocks wandering the lawns and several terraces with views down the Douro towards the sea. The domed pavilion at the centre hosts concerts and sports events.
Head for the terraces on the southern edge at sunset, a favourite local picnic spot.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Aquarium · Foz do Douro
3.Sea Life Porto
A compact aquarium beside the Castelo do Queijo on the seafront, with tanks of Atlantic marine life, a walk-through ocean tunnel and touch pools, plus a rescue area for seahorses and turtles.
Combine it with a walk in the Parque da Cidade or on the beach nearby.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
Experience · Ribeira
4.Historic tram line 1
Vintage wooden trams run from near the Church of São Francisco along the north bank of the Douro to Passeio Alegre in Foz, a scenic ride of about 20–25 minutes past the Arrábida bridge and the old customs house.
Board at the Infante stop near São Francisco and sit on the left side for river views.
- Time needed
- 1 hour return
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Views
- History
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Museum · Boavista
5.Serralves Museum and Park
Porto's main contemporary art museum occupies a white building by Álvaro Siza, set in large gardens with an Art Deco villa, a farm, woodland, a treetop walkway and outdoor sculptures. The park alone makes a pleasant half day.
Allow time for the Treetop Walk and the pink Art Deco Casa de Serralves.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Outdoors
- Architecture
- Kids
Waterfront · Foz do Douro
6.Foz do Douro and the seafront
Where the Douro meets the Atlantic, a promenade runs past the Felgueiras lighthouse and its breakwater, the art deco Pérgola da Foz and small sandy coves towards the Castelo do Queijo fort. Waves crash dramatically over the breakwater in winter storms.
Ride historic tram line 1 along the river from the centre and walk the seafront back towards Matosinhos.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Views
- Couples
Rainy-day ideas
- Sea Life Porto — Combine it with a walk in the Parque da Cidade or on the beach nearby.
Where families should stay
$$$ · Best for first-timers, shopping, food lovers and families
Baixa and Aliados
Baixa is the downtown area around the granite-fronted Avenida dos Aliados and the City Hall, with São Bento station, the restored Bolhão market and the shopping street of Rua de Santa Catarina. Metro lines meet at Trindade and Aliados, making it the most practical base for getting around and catching the airport metro.
- Good
- Excellent metro links; Flatter than Ribeira; Many hotels and restaurants
- Watch out
- Less river atmosphere; Busy with traffic and shoppers by day
- Nearby
- São Bento station, Bolhão Market, Capela das Almas, Livraria Lello
Family travel tips
- Use the Funicular dos Guindais and the Gaia cable car to save little legs on the steepest climbs.
- Atlantic waves can be strong; choose lifeguarded beaches and swim only in flagged zones.
- Children are welcome in most restaurants, and many serve half portions (meia dose).
- Pack rain gear outside summer; Sea Life Porto and the interactive World of Discoveries museum in Miragaia fill wet days.
- Stay near a metro station so you can avoid long walks uphill at the end of the day.
Day trips for families
- Guimarães (About 1 hour 15 minutes by train) — Considered the birthplace of Portugal, Guimarães has a medieval castle, the Palace of the Dukes of Braganza and a well-preserved UNESCO-listed old town of granite squares.
- Braga (About 1 hour by train) — Portugal's religious capital has Portugal's oldest cathedral and a lively centre.
- Aveiro (About 40 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes by train) — A town of canals crossed by colourful moliceiro boats, Art Nouveau buildings and sweet ovos moles egg-yolk pastries.
When to go with children
The best months overall are May–June and September–October. June–August are the busiest, so book the big sights early. Weather by month.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Porto good for kids?
Porto works for families who don't mind hills: riverside walks, boat trips, trams, gardens with peacocks and the beaches of Foz and Matosinhos. Pushchairs struggle on steep cobbles and stairs, so a baby carrier is easier.
+What can kids do in Porto?
Six bridges river cruise, Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, Sea Life Porto, Historic tram line 1 and Serralves Museum and Park.
+Where should families stay in Porto?
Baixa and Aliados: Grand avenue, São Bento station, Bolhão market and Rua de Santa Catarina shopping.