London is easier with kids than most people expect. The biggest museums are free, children ride the buses and the Underground for nothing, and there’s a park every few blocks for the moment when everyone needs to stop walking.

London is big, and the difference between a good day and an exhausting one is usually how much time you spent getting between places instead of being in them. The key to an enjoyable trip is grouping your time by location to avoid hopping around too much in one day.

If you’re trying to figure out the best things to do in London with your family, this is my list of 22, with the family tips and logistics that make each one go more smoothly.

22 Best Things to Do in London With Kids

1. Start With a Guided Tour

Starting with a tour is one of the best things to do in London with kids on your first day, before you do anything else. It changes the rest of the trip. Instead of walking past buildings and checking a map to figure out what they are, you recognize things, and the kids remember places much better when someone has told them a story about them. London especially rewards this, because so much of the city is layered with history that’s invisible if nobody points it out.

There are three good ways to do it, and which one you pick depends mostly on the age of your kids. Book a morning slot whatever you choose. Patience is always highest before lunch.

Hop On Hop Off Bus

This is the one I’d choose with younger children. We like to treat these as our transportation for the day rather than as a tour, so we ride a few stops, get off for a look or a snack, then get back on when legs start to get tired. You cover a lot of ground without anyone having to walk it, with a wonderful view from the top deck.

Walking Tour

A walking tour gives you far more detail and takes you into the smaller streets a bus can’t reach. It’s the better option if your kids can handle a couple of hours on foot with breaks. Pick a shorter route and do it early in the day, when everyone has the most stamina.

River Cruise

A cruise on the Thames is the easiest one to sell to kids, because who doesn’t love a boat ride? You get the whole skyline from the water, everyone is sitting down, and it works well on a first afternoon when the jet lag is still catching up with you.

2. Ride a Red Double Decker Bus

Riding a red double decker bus is one of the simplest things to do in London with children, and you don’t need a tour bus for it. The regular London buses are double deckers, and the front seats on the top deck give you the best view in the city for the price of a normal fare.

Children under 11 ride the buses free at any time, so you’re only paying for the adults. It’s a flat fare no matter how far you go, and the Hopper fare means you can change buses as many times as you like within an hour without paying again.

If you want a route that passes a lot of landmarks, numbers 11, 15 and 24 all do well. Route 15 also runs the old style Routemaster buses on part of its route, which are the ones with the open platform at the back.

One thing that makes all of this easier is sorting out your data before you land. You’ll be checking maps and bus routes constantly in London, so having a connection the moment you step off the plane matters. Try Holafly for an eSIM, which installs before you leave home and switches on when you arrive, so there’s no hunting for a SIM card in an airport with tired kids. Use code MARIHOLAFLY for a discount.

3. See Big Ben and Westminster

Coming up out of Westminster station and finding Big Ben directly in front of you is a good first moment, especially for kids who have only ever seen it in cartoons. It’s bigger than they expect and it’s right there, with no build up.

Walk out onto Westminster Bridge for the view back toward the London Eye, which is the one most people picture when they think of London. The Houses of Parliament run along the river beside it, and the whole stretch is flat and easy with a stroller.

Westminster Abbey is next door if you want to go inside. With younger kids I’d look at it from the outside, explain that this is where the coronations happen, and save the interior for a trip when they’re older.

4. Explore Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is an easy stop because it’s open, flat and full of space to move around. After narrow pavements and busy streets, that matters more than it sounds. The four bronze lions at the base of Nelson’s Column are the highlight of the stop.

One thing worth knowing before they do. You’re meant to stay on the stone bases rather than climb onto the lions themselves. The signs around the square ask people not to climb the statues, and while it isn’t strictly enforced, there are good reasons for it. The lions have been there since 1867 and generations of climbers have worn the bronze thin in places, with cracks along the backs and tails where people use them as a step. They also stand around eleven feet tall, and falls have caused serious injuries.

The stone plinth gets you the same photo without either problem, so that’s where we’d put the kids.

The National Gallery sits along one whole side of the square and it’s free to walk into. With small children I wouldn’t attempt the full collection. Choose two or three paintings ahead of time, find those, and let that be the visit. The gift shop makes a reasonable trade for their cooperation.

There are public toilets and cafes here, which is worth knowing because both are harder to find when you visit London.

5. Watch the Changing of the Guard

The Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace is free and it’s a thing worth doing once, even though it’s crowded and you’ll spend more time waiting than watching. The uniforms, the band, and the horses are what the kids remember.

It doesn’t run every day, and the schedule changes with the season, so check before you build your morning around it. This is the official Household Division schedule page.

Watching the Changing of the Guard is one of the most typical things to do in London, so get there at least forty-five minutes early if you want a spot at the gates. If you arrive later than that, don’t fight the crowd. Stand along The Mall instead and watch the guards march past on their way in, which is honestly a better view for a short child anyway.

6. Walk Through St James’s Park

The route from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace goes straight through St James’s Park, and it’s a nice 15-minute walk through central London. If you’re doing the Changing of the Guard, you’ll pass through the park anyway, so give yourself some extra time and treat it as a stop rather than just part of the route.

There’s a lake through the middle with a bridge across it that has a great view of the palace. The park is also known for its pelicans, which have lived there since the 1600s when they were given to the king as a gift from a Russian ambassador. They get fed in the afternoon and kids love watching it.

7. Ride the London Eye

The London Eye is a giant observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames. The full rotation takes about 30 minutes, giving you views across central London from the glass capsules. It moves slowly, so there’s no need to wait for it to stop. You simply step on and off while it continues moving.

Book online and choose a timed slot. Queues can be long if you buy tickets at the door, and waiting around with young kids isn’t ideal.

Go on a clear day if you can be flexible, and go late in the afternoon in winter, when it gets dark early and you get the city lit up.

This is one of the only spots in London with consistent air conditioning, so it’s also worth hopping on if you visit during a heat wave.

8. Go Up to Sky Garden for Free

Sky Garden is at the top of a building in the City with a public garden inside and a viewing terrace, and the whole thing is free. You book a slot online in advance and they release tickets a few weeks ahead, so this needs a little planning but no money.

The view takes in the Thames, Tower Bridge and the Shard, and because it’s indoors it works on a day when the weather has ruined everything else. This is one of the best things to do in London with kids that costs nothing at all, there’s no ticket queue and there’s space to sit down.

9. Take a Boat Down the Thames

The Uber Boat river service is proper public transport rather than a sightseeing cruise, which means it’s cheaper and you can use it to actually get somewhere. It runs the length of central London, so you can ride from Westminster all the way east past the whole skyline and get off wherever you’re headed next.

This is one of my favorite things to do in London with kids. They get the fun of a boat ride while you’re also getting from one part of the city to another. Everyone can sit down, and you get a completely different view of London than you would from the Underground.

Sit outside at the back if the weather allows. There is no air conditioning inside.

10. Visit the Tower of London

Of all the paid things to do in London, this is the one I’d spend the money on. It’s a real castle in the middle of the city, nearly a thousand years old, and there’s enough going on inside that kids stay interested for hours.

The Crown Jewels are here, and so are the ravens, which have their own keeper and their own legend about the kingdom falling if they ever leave. The Yeoman Warder tours are included with your ticket and they’re the best part of the visit. The warders are performers as much as guides, and they hold children’s attention better than any audio guide.

Book a timed slot online and go as early as you can. The queue for the Crown Jewels builds through the morning and is at its worst from midday onward.

Children under five are free. Do the Warder tour first while everyone is fresh, then the Crown Jewels, then let the kids run around the walls and the green at the end when nobody wants to concentrate anymore.

11. Walk Across Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is the one people actually picture when they think of things to do in London, and walking across it costs nothing. It’s right beside the Tower, so the two go together naturally in the same day.

If you want more than the walk, the Tower Bridge Exhibition takes you up into the high walkways between the two towers, where there’s a glass floor you can look straight down through at the traffic and the river.

Ask about the Tower Bridge Cat Trail when you enter. Kids can collect stamps in an activity booklet or passport by finding Bella the Tower Bridge Cat along the high-level walkways and engine rooms.

The bridge still lifts for tall ships, and the schedule is published on the Tower Bridge website. If you can time your visit to catch a lift, it’s worth planning around.

12. Visit Borough Market

Borough Market is my favorite food stop in London with kids. It’s a proper working market rather than a tourist one, it has been on the same site in some form for around a thousand years, and it’s under a railway arch so it works in the rain.

What makes it good with children is that you’re not sitting still in a restaurant waiting for food. You walk through, everyone points at what they want, and you build lunch from six different stalls. There are samples everywhere, which handles the problem of a child who says they don’t like something they have never tried.

Turnips at Borough Market, which serves fresh, whole strawberries in a cup and generously coated with warm, silky melted Belgian milk chocolate from a fountain machine, is absolutely worth the hype. The lines are not as long as you see on TikTok. It costs around £8.50 to £9.50 per cup, but your whole family can share one. We got two, and it was a lot. You can find them at Stall 43.

Go on a weekday if you can. Saturday is shoulder to shoulder and harder with a stroller or a small child who wants to look at things.

13. Visit the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is free and it’s the one I’d put first if you only do one museum in London. The building itself gets a reaction before you’ve seen a single exhibit, with a huge vaulted entrance hall and a blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling. There are even huge dinosaur fossil recreations outside before you enter.

The dinosaur gallery is what most kids come for, and it’s the busiest part of the museum, so go there first and work backward through everything else. The rest of the collection is enormous and you’re not going to see it all, which is fine. Because there’s no ticket, there’s no pressure to get your money’s worth.

Check the website the day before, because free timed tickets are sometimes needed during busy periods.

14. Visit the Science Museum

The Science Museum is directly next door to the Natural History Museum, which makes South Kensington the easiest area in London for a family day. This is the better of the two for kids who need to touch things rather than look at them.

Wonderlab is the interactive gallery and it’s the one part of the museum you pay for. It’s worth it if your kids are between 7 and 14 years old. There are live demonstrations, things to pull and push and set off, and it holds a wide age range at the same time, which isn’t easy to find.

If your children love interactive museums, this is the one you should choose!

15. Visit the British Museum

The British Museum is free, and it’s so big that going in without a plan is a mistake with children. The building alone is worth walking into for the Great Court, which is a covered courtyard with a glass roof in the middle of the museum.

With kids, I’d go straight to the Egyptian galleries. The mummies are the thing they’ll talk about afterward, and the Rosetta Stone is on the way. Do that, see anything else you happen to walk past, and leave before anyone gets tired of it.

This deserves its own morning rather than being added onto the end of a full day. It is a fifteen minute walk from Covent Garden if you want to pair the two.

16. Play at the Diana Memorial Playground

This is the best free playground in central London, in Kensington Gardens, and it’s built around a full sized wooden pirate ship sitting in an enormous sand pit. There are also teepees, a sensory trail and plenty of space to run.

One thing worth knowing is that adults are only allowed in if they arrive with a child, which is a safeguarding rule and also means the whole place is genuinely built for kids rather than shared with everyone else.

It gets busy in the afternoon and they cap the number of people inside, so there can be a wait to get in. From the playground you can walk on through Hyde Park to the Serpentine and rent a pedal boat.

17. Visit London Zoo

London Zoo is in Regent’s Park. It opened in 1828 and is one of the oldest scientific zoos in the world, and a lot of it has been rebuilt in recent years, so it doesn’t feel like an old zoo.

The walk-through enclosures are the parts kids talk about afterward, where you’re inside the space with the animals rather than looking at them from behind glass. Give it most of a day rather than squeezing it into an afternoon.

Buy tickets online in advance. They’re cheaper than at the gate and it saves you the queue.

18. Explore Covent Garden

Covent Garden was London’s fruit and vegetable market for around 300 years before becoming the area it is today. The original glass-roofed market building is still there, with the Apple Market stalls inside and shops and restaurants around it. The whole area is pedestrianized, which is especially nice when you’re exploring with kids and don’t have to worry about traffic.

There are street performers in the piazza throughout most of the day. They audition for their spots, so there are usually some really good acts, and the kids can easily spend half an hour watching a show. You’ll also often find classical musicians playing in the lower courtyard while people eat.

The London Transport Museum is here too. Kids can climb on old buses, trams and Tube carriages, follow a stamp trail through the galleries, and try the Tube train simulator. Adult tickets are valid for a whole year and children go free, so it can be a good option if you’re looking for something to do with kids in central London.

Covent Garden is about a 10-minute walk from Trafalgar Square, so it’s easy to add to a day exploring Westminster.

If it starts raining, this is where to go. The market building is covered, the Transport Museum is indoors, and you can get an entire afternoon out of the two without going back out into it.

19. See Platform 9¾ and the Harry Potter Studio Tour

If you have a Harry Potter fan in the family, there are two versions of this and they’re very different commitments.

Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross

This is the quick one. There’s a luggage trolley set into the wall at King’s Cross station, halfway through, with a staff member handing out scarves and helping with the photo. It’s free, it takes about fifteen minutes including the queue, and there’s a shop next to it. If you’re passing through the station anyway, it’s an easy win.

Warner Bros Studio Tour

This is the full version, and it’s where the films were actually made. The sets are still standing, including the Great Hall and Diagon Alley, and you walk through them. It’s outside London, it takes most of a day including the travel, and tickets sell out weeks ahead.

If you have a child who has read the books, this is the kind of thing you build a trip around rather than fit into one. Book the studio tour before you book anything else, including your flights if you can.

20. Take a Day Trip to Richmond

Richmond is about twenty minutes from central London by train, but it feels like a different place entirely, more like a village on the Thames than part of the city. There’s a huge deer park with actual wild deer, a riverside to walk along, and a much slower pace than you’ll find in central London.

If anyone in your family watches Ted Lasso, Richmond will be especially fun to visit. Many parts of the show were filmed here, including the pub that appears as the Crown & Anchor. The real pub, The Prince’s Head, is right on Richmond Green and you can actually go inside.

If you have more than three days in London, this is one of the first additions I’d make to your list of things to do in London with kids. I have a full guide to spending a day in Richmond with kids.

21. Spend a Day at Kew Gardens

Kew is a short hop from Richmond, so you could pair the two if you had a long day, though each is comfortably a day on its own. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and it’s enormous, with glasshouses full of plants you won’t see anywhere else.

For kids the draws are the Treetop Walkway, which puts you up at canopy height above the trees, and the Children’s Garden, which is one of the biggest play spaces in London. It is truly massive, and your kids could easily spend the entire day there. Each section has different things to do and a new type of play apparatus.

Kew also puts on a Christmas light trail through the gardens after dark in November and December. It’s a lovely option if you’re visiting London with kids in winter. If you’re planning a Christmas trip to London, I have a full guide with everything you need to know.

22. Take the Boat to Greenwich

Greenwich is the one I’d do if you want a day that feels different from central London, and getting there is half the fun because you can take the river boat all the way down instead of the Tube. The Cutty Sark is a real tea clipper you can walk underneath, which is a strange and brilliant thing to see from below.

Once in Greenwich, the National Maritime Museum is free and has plenty for children. Up the hill in Greenwich Park, the Royal Observatory lets kids stand on the Prime Meridian with a foot in each hemisphere, and the view back toward the city from the top of the park is beautiful.

When to Visit London With Kids

London is great all year, and the free museums mean a rainy or cold trip (as London often is) is never a wasted one. But the seasons are different enough to be worth thinking about when you’re planning the best things to do in London with your family.

Spring

April through June is the best window for a family trip. The days are long, the parks are at their best, and the weather is as good as London gets. Prices haven’t climbed to summer levels yet and the crowds are manageable.

Summer

July and August are the warmest and by far the busiest. Attractions sell out, hotel prices climb, and the museums are packed. Heat is also a real consideration now in a way it wasn’t ten years ago, and most of London has no air conditioning, which catches American families off guard. Book everything ahead and use the free museums as your cooling break in the middle of the day, though check first which ones are actually air conditioned. Keep in mind that London AC doesn’t get as cold as American AC; you’re looking at a low of 74℉ with the AC as low as it goes.

Fall

September and October are underrated. It’s still mild, the city gets noticeably quieter once British schools go back, and hotel prices drop. If your kids aren’t in school yet or you have a fall break, this is probably the best value trip of the year. And if you happen to be there in October, you’ll catch all the Halloween decorations around the city.

Winter

November through March means short days and a lot of grey, but the free museums matter more than ever and the city does Christmas seriously from early November. The lights go up along the main shopping streets and stay until January. If you’re looking for things to do in London with kids in December, I have a full guide to Christmas in London with kids.

Final Thoughts

If you’re working out the best things to do in London with kids, the single thing that will improve your trip most is grouping by area. London is big enough that you don’t want to spend most of your day going between places instead of enjoying them.

A simple structure that works for us when we’re picking things to do in London with kids: one big attraction, one museum, one park, and one food stop. Repeat that each day and you’ll see the city without anyone melting down halfway through the afternoon.

If you want these best things to do in London with kids laid out day by day instead of as a list, I have a full London with kids 3 day itinerary.

If you have any questions, send me a message on Instagram. I’m always happy to share more tips. I’m also a travel advisor, and I’d love to help you plan and book your London trip! To get started, please fill out my trip planning form and tell me a little about the trip you have in mind, and I’ll be in touch about next steps. Happy travels!

• 

  Abroad | Best Moments | England | Europe | Family | Featured

  London With Kids: The Perfect 3 Day Itinerary

  ByMari October 4, 2026October 6, 2026

  London is one of the best cities for an international family trip, and for good reason. Some of the city’s best museums are completely free, kids under 11 ride buses and the Underground for free with a paying adult, and there’s always a park or playground nearby when everyone needs a break. With three days in London, you can see many of the city’s biggest sights, mix in plenty of kid-friendly fun, and still keep the pace manageable for the whole family.

  This London with kids itinerary is keeps each day in a single part of the city, so you’re not moving across the city in one day, which can be daunting: London is huge. Day one covers Westminster and the River Thames, day two is the museum district and Hyde Park, and day three is the Tower and the east side. If you have more time, I’ve added some of my favorite additional day trips to round out a 4- or 5-day stay across the pond.

• 

  Abroad | Advice | Best Moments | Career | England | Europe | Family | Featured

  22 Best Things to Do in London With Kids

  ByMari October 4, 2026October 6, 2026

  London is easier with kids than most people expect. The biggest museums are free, children ride the buses and the Underground for nothing, and there’s a park every few blocks for the moment when everyone needs to stop walking.

  London is big, and the difference between a good day and an exhausting one is usually how much time you spent getting between places instead of being in them. The key to an enjoyable trip is grouping your time by location to avoid hopping around too much in one day.

  If you’re trying to figure out the best things to do in London with your family, this is my list of 22, with the family tips and logistics that make each one go more smoothly.

The post 22 Best Things to Do in London With Kids appeared first on Mari on the Map.

Lisbon is one of those cities that works beautifully for families when you pair it with a slower pace. It’s compact, colorful, full of viewpoints and snacks, and there’s always something new to look at. The key is building your days around neighborhoods, so you’re not zig-zagging over hills nonstop.

If you’ve been searching what to do in Lisbon, and you want a list that actually fits a family trip, this is it. These are my 20 must do in Lisbon activities, with kid-friendly notes and the little logistics that will make your trip unforgettable.

20 Fun Activities to Do in Lisbon With Kids

1. Start With a Guided Tour in the City Center

When visiting a new city, It’s great idea to start with a guided tour through the center. It helps you understand the significance of what you’re seeing, not just take photos and move on. For kids, it’s even better because the story of the place will stick with them. A guide can connect big moments like the 1755 earthquake and the city’s rebuild, and suddenly plazas and churches feel like part of an ongoing story instead of another building. There are different options to do:

Walking Tour

A walking tour is the simplest, most classic way to start. You’ll cover the core areas like Baixa and Chiado at a steady pace, and it’s easy to pause for pastries or a bathroom breaks. This is a good option when you want a real sense of the city’s layout, because you’re on foot seeing the hills, the streets, and the little details you’d miss from a vehicle.

If you’re traveling with kids who can handle walking but need frequent breaks, this still works well as long as you pick a shorter route and do it earlier in the day. It sets the tone for the rest of your trip, because after the tour you’ll recognize landmarks and neighborhoods instead of feeling like you’re constantly checking your map. If your kids are still really little, make sure to bring along our favorite stroller for Europe. It’s an inline design that’s easy to get through narrow European streets has large tires to glide over cobblestones more easily.

Hop on Hop Off Bus

A hop on hop off bus is a good fit if you want a broad overview without committing to lots of walking right away. It’s also helpful when you’re traveling with kids who get tired quickly, or if you want to “see” more of Lisbon in a limited time. We like to treat these like our transportation for the day and truly utilize the hope on hop off experience. Ride for a few stops, hop off for a viewpoint or a snack, then hop back on when little legs start to fade.

This option is especially useful when you’re trying to connect areas that are farther apart, like getting a feel for the city before you decide which neighborhoods you want to explore more deeply on foot.

Tuk Tuk Tour

If you’re choosing one guided option that feels the most fun for kids, a tuk tuk tour is hard to beat. It’s open-air, it moves quickly enough to keep kids engaged, and it can climb steep streets that are exhausting on foot. It also lets you see a lot in a short amount of time, which is perfect early in your trip when you’re still figuring out what you want to come back to later.

Tuk tuks are great for viewpoints because you can stop, hop out for a quick look and photos, then keep going before anyone gets restless.

Family Tip

Choose a shorter tour if you have younger kids, and schedule it earlier in the day when everyone has the most patience.

2. Wander Praça do Comércio

Praça do Comércio is a must-see area in Lisbon because it has of the city’s most iconic views. It’s also one of the easiest family stops because it’s open, flat, and right by the water. It’s the perfect place to let kids move around for a few minutes after narrow streets and sidewalks.

What to Do Here

Take photos under the arches, look out over the Tagus River, then continue on toward Rua Augusta.

3. Go Up the Arco da Rua Augusta for a “Big Picture” View

If your kids love looking down on cities, this viewpoint is an easy win. The Arco da Rua Augusta sits right at the edge of Praça do Comércio, so you don’t need extra planning to add it. The view helps you visualize Lisbon.

Family Tip

This is a great activity early in your trip. It helps everyone understand how the neighborhoods fit together.

4. Visit Lisbon Story Centre

The Lisbon Story Centre is a great stop with kids because it’s interactive, modern, easy to fit into your day, and it gives everyone real context for the city. It’s right in Praça do Comércio, so you can pop in while you’re already exploring downtown. The visit is designed as a one-hour experience with an audio guide, and it’s not the kind of museum where they’re bored in five minutes.

The highlight for most families is the section about the 1755 earthquake, which the museum presents as an immersive experience. After this, the places you’re walking through, especially Baixa and the big squares, make more sense, and kids tend to remember what they learned because it’s told like a story instead of a lecture.

Lisbon Story Centre prices (as of early 2026): the standard 60-minute ticket is €7.50 per adult (16+), €5.50 for seniors (65+) and students, €3.50 for kids ages 6–15, and free for children 5 and under; there’s also a family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) for €18.50. If you’re using the Lisbon Card, the Lisbon Story Centre is included.

Why it Works with Kids

It breaks up walking days and gives you a planned indoor stop if the weather is hot or rainy.

5. Ride a Classic Lisbon Tram

Riding Tram 28 is one of those classic what to do in Lisbon moments because it squeezes through some of the city’s narrowest, steepest streets and passes big-name sights like Alfama, the Santa Luzia viewpoint, the Lisbon Cathedral (Sé), Chiado, and Bairro Alto.

The only catch is that it’s also a real commuter tram for locals, and the crowds can get intense, especially in peak season. If you’re visiting during busy months, ride it very early in the morning or choose a different tram line so you still get the Lisbon tram experience without the packed cars. If your timing doesn’t work out or you had your heart set on Tram 28, just plan to wait in line a bit and to ride without a seat.

Family Tip

Ride early in the morning, or choose a less famous tram line to get the charm without the stress.

6. Explore Alfama

Alfama is one of the most memorable parts of Lisbon because it feels like old Lisbon. It’s full of narrow lanes, tile-covered buildings, and tiny corners that make you want to keep wandering. But it’s also steep, so this is where pacing matters.

Family Tip

Pick one route, do it slowly, and plan a viewpoint stop as your reward.

7. Visit Lisbon Cathedral for a Quick, Classic Stop

The Lisbon Cathedral is one of the easiest historic landmarks to add to your day because it’s right in the flow of exploring Alfama. It’s old, striking, and doesn’t require a long time commitment.

Why it Works

It’s a “short but memorable” stop that adds variety to a walking day.

8. Take a Boat Ride on the Tagus River

One of the prettiest ways to experience Lisbon is from the water. A Tagus River cruise gives you a totally different perspective of the city, and it’s an easy win with kids because it feels like an activity, not another museum or viewpoint. You get fresh air, built-in sitting time, and those big “wow” views of Lisbon’s waterfront, plus the fun of passing under the 25 de Abril Bridge, which many Americans will liken to the Golden Gate Bridge.

The best part is that there are several ways to do it as part of what to do in Lisbon, depending on your budget, how much time you have, and what kind of vibe you want.

Family tip

If your kids are prone to getting chilly, bring a light layer even in warmer months. It often feels cooler on the water, especially later in the day.

9. Miradouro da Graça

If you’re deciding what to do in Lisbon and you want a viewpoint that feels worth it, Miradouro da Graça is a great pick. The views are wide, the setting is relaxed, and it’s one of those places where you can sit for a moment instead of constantly moving.

Family tip

Go in the morning for fewer crowds and softer light.

10. Miradouro de Santa Luzia for The Postcard Moment

Santa Luzia is one of the most photogenic viewpoints in Lisbon. It’s the combination of the river view, the rooftops, and the tile details that makes it feel special. This is a great quick stop while you’re already in Alfama.

Kids usually like pointing out rooftops, boats on the river, and spotting landmarks from above.

11. Stop at Miradouro das Portas do Sol and Actually Sit Down

This viewpoint is close to Santa Luzia, and it’s worth it because it’s one of the easiest places to pause. When you’re doing Lisbon with kids, small pauses matter. This is a good spot for a drink, a snack, and a few minutes where no one has to climb stairs.

Family Tip

This is an easy place to reset before you keep wandering.

12. Walk Rua da Bica and Ride the Funicular

Rua da Bica is a quick but fun stop in Lisbon because the Elevador da Bica is so iconic. It’s a funicular-style tram that climbs the steep hill like an elevator on tracks, connecting the upper and lower parts of the neighborhood and making life easier for locals and visitors. Even if you don’t ride it, it’s worth seeing in person because this little yellow car rolling up the postcard-perfect street is one of the most recognizable Lisbon scenes (and yes, it’s a big favorite on social media).

13. Visit the Oceanário de Lisbon

If you need a spot any kid will love, the Oceanário is one of the easiest choices. It’s the kind of place where kids stay engaged without you having to “sell it” too much, and it’s also a great mid-trip reset when everyone needs a break from hills, viewpoints, and history.

If you can, buy tickets online, so you’re not adding an extra line to your day. Ticket prices are structured by age: ages 0–2 are free, ages 3–12 are 15€, ages 13–64 are 25€, and ages 65+ are 17€.

The Oceanário is open daily from 10 am to 8 pm, with last entry at 7 pm.

14. Eat at Time Out Market

Time Out Market Lisboa is a food hall inside the historic Mercado da Ribeira. It’s a great spot in Lisbon when you want an easy meal with lots of options all in one place. The market brings together a curated mix of restaurants, bars, and food stalls, with Portuguese favorites and international choices, so everyone can get what they want.

It also has real history. The original market opened in 1882 and was a major spot for locals to buy fresh food. Today it’s more modern, but it still feels like a market, just with better variety and a very convenient setup for families visiting Lisbon with kids.

Family Tip

Do one lap first, decide what you want, then split up orders. It’s much easier than standing in each line while kids wait.

15. Castelo de São Jorge

Castelo de São Jorge is classic Lisbon, especially if you want a big payoff view without needing a full-day plan. The castle sits on the hilltop above Alfama, and just getting there feels like part of the experience as you wind up through narrow streets and suddenly reach the top.

Once you’re inside, it’s easy to see the appeal. You can walk along sections of the walls, look out over the city and the Tagus, and let kids explore in a way that presents history without a museum. If you’re doing Lisbon with kids, this is a great spot for imaginations to run wild because it feels like a real fortress.

If you have time, check out the camera obscura in the Black Chamber for a live, 360-degree view of Lisbon, and keep an eye out for the peacocks wandering around. There are also archaeological remains and exhibits that tie the site to Lisbon’s history, including damage from the 1755 earthquake. Lines can get long, so this is one place where buying timed or skip-the-line tickets can make your day run much smoother.

16. Telecabine Lisboa in Parque das Nações

If you want a break from hills but still want big views, add the Telecabine Lisboa to your list of what to do in Lisbon with kids. It’s a cable car ride over the Tagus estuary in Parque das Nações, and it feels like an activity instead of transportation, which is why kids usually love it. You’re up almost 100 feet above the water, and the route runs for about 1,230 meters, with views over the modern waterfront, the Oceanário area, and landmarks like the Vasco da Gama Bridge.

The ride itself is short enough to fit into a busy day. It typically takes between 8 and 16 minutes, so it works well as a quick highlight, especially if you’re already planning an Oceanário day.

Tickets costs are presently (as of early 2026): Adults 7,50€ one way or 9,50€ round trip. Kids ages 3–12 5,50€ one way or 6,50€ round trip. Kids 0–2 are free.

Opening hours change by season, so make sure to check the schedule here.

17. Day Trip From Lisbon: Sintra

If you’re building your list of what to do in Lisbon with kids, and you have one extra day, make it a day trip to Sintra. It’s an amazing quick side trip from Lisbon, and it’s easy to understand why families love it. You get palaces, big views, gardens to wander, and that fairytale feeling that keeps kids interested even when they’re tired.

Sintra can be as simple or as packed as you want. If your kids do best with fewer stops, pick one main palace and one “wander” spot, then call it a day. If you’ve got older kids, and everyone is moving well, you can layer in more sites. Either way, plan to start early because Sintra gets busy.

For full details and a very practical plan, use my Sintra guides:

• Visit Sintra: Everything You Need to Know for a Perfect Day Trip
• One Magical Day in Sintra, Portugal

18. Plan a Belém Half Day

Belém is a neighborhood just on the outskirts of Lisbon, where you’ll find some of Lisbon’s most famous landmarks. Since it’s a little farther from the city center, you’ll need to plan a bit of time to get there and be there. You can use my guide to Belém for planning.

Family tip

Start early so you can beat crowds at the big sights.

19. See Torre de Belém

Torre de Belém is iconic and absolutely worth seeing from the outside. Going inside can be tight and slow, especially with kids, so I treat it as an “outside first” stop and decide on the spot if it’s worth the line.

Best way to do it with kids

Take photos outside, talk about the river and the explorers, then move on if needed.

20. Sample Pastéis de Nata

Trying pastéis is a must do in Lisbon, and the most famous place to do it is in Belém. Pastéis de nata are small flaky pastries filled with creamy custard, usually finished with a sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon. They’re simple, but when they’re fresh and warm, they are the perfect Lisbon treat.

Belém is where this pastry became iconic back in the 1800s, and the original recipe is still closely guarded at the classic Pastéis de Belém bakery. The outside is crisp and buttery, the inside is smooth and not overly sweet.

Expect a line, especially at peak hours. The good news is the place is huge and the line usually moves faster than it looks. If you’re doing Lisbon with kids, I like treating this as a planned stop. Grab a few, find a spot to sit, and let it double as a snack break before you keep exploring Belém.

When to Visit Lisbon with Kids

Lisbon works year-round, but the best time to visit depends on how your family handles crowds, heat, and how much you want to do on foot. Since so much of what to do in Lisbon involves walking, viewpoints, and neighborhoods with hills, comfort matters more here than in flatter cities.

Spring

Late March through May is one of the sweetest spots for Lisbon with kids. The weather is usually mild, days feel bright without being brutally hot, and it’s easier to enjoy long mornings outside. You can do yourLisbon sightseeing without feeling like you need constant indoor breaks. It’s also a great season for a day trip to Sintra, because you can enjoy the gardens and palace grounds without the peak-summer crowds.

Fall

September and October are another great window. It’s still warm enough to feel like summer in the sun, but the city is generally more comfortable for walking than July or August. If your kids love playground time and outdoor exploring, this is a great season because you can stay out longer without melting. It’s also a nice time to add coastal trips if you want beach time as part of your Lisbon plans.

Summer

June through August can be a great family trip, but it requires smarter timing. Lisbon gets busy, and the heat plus hills can turn a simple afternoon into a struggle. If you’re visiting in summer, plan your biggest walks and viewpoints early in the morning, then do an indoor activity midday, like the Oceanário or Lisbon Story Centre. Save things like Time Out Market and viewpoints for later in the day when it cools down a bit.

Winter

November through February is often calmer and can be a surprisingly good time for a city trip with kids. You’ll likely get fewer crowds at major attractions and a more relaxed pace overall. The tradeoff is that you might have rainy days and shorter daylight hours, so it helps to mix in indoor-friendly stops and keep your daily plan flexible. If you’re traveling with kids who do better with less chaos and fewer lines, winter can be a really nice choice.

Final Thoughts

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Lisbon with kids, the biggest thing to remember is that Lisbon is at its best when you slow down and let the day breathe. Pick a neighborhood, choose a few must-do stops that make sense together, then leave room for snack breaks, viewpoints, and the little moments of discovery that happen in between.

A guided tour on day one helps everything click, the Oceanário and the river cruise give you built-in downtime, and Belém plus a Sintra day trip are a great way to make your trip one that kids actually remember.

If you want a simple way to structure it, think like this: one guided experience, one viewpoint, one kid-friendly food stop, one flexible wander block. Repeat.

And if you have any questions, feel free to send me a message on Instagram. I’m always happy to share more tips and insights.

• 

  Advice | Europe | Family | Featured | Portugal

  Northern Portugal With Kids: Porto, the Douro Valley & Gerês: Your Perfect Family Weekend

  ByMari August 16, 2026August 16, 2026

  I’ve said it so many times, but it’s worth saying again: Portugal is the most underrated country for families in Europe. And while most families who do visit are busy planning their Lisbon itinerary or counting down the days to the Algarve beaches, northern Portugal is sitting up there quietly being spectacular. We’re talking cobblestoned riverfront cities, wild national parks where horses roam free, terraced vineyards dropping straight into a UNESCO-listed river valley, and some of the warmest hospitality in all of Europe. Oh, and the food? Amazing!

  If you’re planning a family trip to Portugal, you need to consider heading north, with this itinerary as your guide. Three days, three very different experiences: Porto with kids, the Douro Valley with kids, and Peneda-Gerês National Park, all designed for families. Let’s go.

  Already planning a bigger Portugal adventure? Don’t miss my guides to Sintra, Belém, and Lagos or explore all my Portugal posts.

• 

  Abroad | Asia | Central America | Costa Rica | Denmark | Europe | Family | Featured | Ireland | Japan | Portugal

  Best Countries for Family Travel in 2026: 5 Kid-Friendly Picks

  ByMari April 30, 2026May 3, 2026

  If you’re dreaming up your family’s next international trip, you’re in the right place. Planning travel with kids can feel overwhelming at first, but the right destination makes everything click into place. This list of the best countries for family travel is based on my experience and what’s trending for 2026, but these picks work any year. Think easy arrivals, minimal stress, and days filled with the kind of experiences your kids will actually be excited about.

The post What to Do in Lisbon With Kids? 20 Fun Activities appeared first on Mari on the Map.