2 Days in Lisbon with Toddlers

I had heard so many good things about Portugal, but especially how great it was for young kids. So I’ve always known I wanted to eventually take the boys there. Our trip started off with two days in Lisbon and had a lot of hype to live up to. It absolutely did just that. But there are a few things I wish I had known beforehand. With only two days (really one and a half) there is SO much to see, eat and explore. So if you only have two days in Lisbon with kids, here’s exactly how I’d spend them, where I’d stay, what I’d prioritize and the things I’d skip.

If you’re looking for what other areas in Portugal to add on to your Lisbon trip, check out my guide to the Algarve region of Portugal.

When you’re traveling with toddlers, location is everything. My rule of thumb when choosing a neighborhood with toddlers is I would much rather stay somewhere that is more convenient than stay in the “cutest” neighborhood and spend half the day getting everyone from point A to point B. If this is your first trip to Lisbon, I would narrow your hotel search down to Baixa or Chiado. You really can’t go wrong with either.

This is where we stayed and I loved it with our toddlers. Baixa is incredibly central, which meant we could walk to restaurants, shops and many of the places we wanted to see without constantly figuring out transportation.

Chiado is another great option and probably the neighborhood I’d look at if you want something that feels a little more charming. It’s central, has tons of restaurants and shopping and the streets are beautiful.

We stayed at Andaz Lisbon and genuinely loved it. It’s a newly opened Hyatt hotel (you know I love a Hyatt) so this was a no brainer for us. But, the biggest win for us was the location. We were right in Baixa, which made it so easy to walk to restaurants, shops and a lot of the places we wanted to see. With toddlers, I love a hotel where you don’t feel like you have to plan your entire day around transportation.

We also got upgraded to the Presidential Suite, which was heaven. So this was probably the ONLY time where I’ve never wanted to leave the hotel because our room was just that good. And, having a central home base meant that if the kids needed a break, we could easily head back to the hotel instead of trying to push through the rest of the day. If I did Lisbon again with kids, I’d stay in Baixa again.

For other hotel options in the area, take a look at the Booking.com finder below.

Belém is farther from the city center, so I wouldn’t necessarily build an entire day around it. Instead, I’d treat it as an afternoon stop. Go see Belém Tower, visit Jerónimos Monastery and, obviously, stop for a pastel de nata at the famous Pastéis de Belém. If you have time, also stop at LX Factory either on the way to Belem or the way back. The LX Factory is a former 19th-century textile factory that has been turned into a creative little area filled with restaurants, shops, cafés, street art and one of Lisbon’s coolest bookstores, Ler Devagar.

It’s an easy way to see a completely different part of Lisbon without trying to squeeze another full day of sightseeing into your itinerary.

If you’ve seen pictures of Lisbon, you’ve probably seen the little yellow Tram 28. It’s one of the city’s most iconic experiences, but it’s also a public tram that locals use to get around which means it gets crowded quickly. So, the key is to get on eas early as possibly.

The route winds through some of Lisbon’s oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods, including Graça, Alfama, Baixa and Chiado, passing viewpoints, historic buildings and the cathedral. Most use Tram 28 to get to the top of the Alfama neighborhood and see all the iconic Lisbon spots along the way. It’s especially great with kids because you get to see SO much of Lisbon without asking your toddlers to walk up and down every hill. 

Some of the best viewpoints are located in Alfama. Actually, all of our best viewpoints were found there. Here are the can’t miss.

• MIRADOURO DE SANTA LUZIA: One of the most beautiful viewpoints in Alfama and an easy stop while you’re already exploring the neighborhood.
• MIRADOURO DAS PORTAS DO SOL: Another great viewpoint that’s very close to Santa Luzia, so I’d definitely pair these two together. You don’t need to make a separate trip for each one.
• MIRADOURO DA SENHORA DO MONTE: This is the one I’d choose if you want that big panoramic “wow” view over Lisbon.

Castelo de São Jorge is another Lisbon classic. With only two days, you don’t need to actually tour the inside, especially if you have toddlers with you (unless that is on your must-do).

For us, the biggest draw was the views. If your kids are into exploring castles, obviously go for it. But if you’re trying to prioritize your time, I’d focus on the experience and the views (Portsas do Sol and Santa Luzia viewpoints are close) rather than feeling like you need to check every single part of the castle off your list.

One of my favorite things about Lisbon was honestly just wandering and shopping! Make your way back toward Baixa and spend some time shopping and exploring the streets. The best overall for shopping is Chiado (look at Rua Garrett, Rua do Carmo, and Rua Nova do Almada). If you’re looking for something to bring home that doesn’t scream souvenir, check out A vida Portugesa. IF you want luxury, be sure to head down Avenida da Liberdade.

This is one of those things I don’t think you can leave Lisbon without doing. Go to Pastéis de Belém for the classic experience or try Manteigaria if you want another great option.

One of my favorite parts of Lisbon was the food, and there are a few places I’d absolutely put on your list.

Rocco was a place I was worried may be overhyped, but it absolutely lived up to my expectations. It was one of our favorite meals of the entire trip. It’s a spot where you can have a really good meal without feeling completely impractical with kids, which is honestly a win in my book. Definitely worth adding to your itinerary.

This one requires a little patience. It’s popular and you may have to wait since they don’t take reservations, but if you’re willing to be patient, it’s one I’d try to fit in. Or, try to get there right when it opens.

Perfect for a quick breakfast and coffee in the Baixa area. Sometimes when you’re traveling with toddlers all you need is coffee, food and a place where everyone can get moving. This was a great option for that.

If you want dinner with a view, add this one to your list. An insane view of Lisbon with great food.

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Lisbon with toddlers is absolutely doable and I would 100% do it again. Just go into it knowing that you’re going to walk a lot, you’re going to climb some hills and you’re going to wonder why you brought the stroller at least more than once. But the food, the views, the beautiful streets and the overall experience make it so worth it.

And if you’re traveling through Portugal with little kids, Lisbon is a city I’d absolutely keep on the itinerary.

Disclosure: Some of these links are affiliate links, which means when you purchase something using these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. However, I only link these companies because I have used them or truly recommend them based on their quality and the experience I had.

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