Coming to Porto for the first time with your lovely little ones, or returning to rediscover the city you once knew as a single traveller — this time with your family — and looking for ideas to enjoy together? You are in the right place.
Porto is a small city where everything can be done on foot, and children love it. Life is good here and there is so much to see and share with your little ones. If you are lucky enough to stay longer than a weekend, you can also enjoy the region, as the city is close to many beaches and unmissable natural sites. So, let’s go!
1 – Take them to the city’s most beautiful parks
Porto has superb parks, from the best-known such as Parque da Cidade to the most secret ones (which we only reveal to our travellers — see the end of the article). Each park is kid-friendly: your children will find plenty to enjoy, get some fresh air and take a well-deserved break between visits.
2 – Let them taste the local cuisine
If there is one thing Portugal need not envy its neighbours for, it is its food. Mediterranean and oceanic in inspiration thanks to its geography, Porto’s gastronomy is a must among your local discoveries — and your children’s taste buds will love the experience! If they prefer savoury, take them to try traditional petiscos like the bifana (kids love food presented in a fun way). More of a sweet tooth? The delicious pastries from the city’s oldest houses will offer them an irresistible assortment of treats. Voyage à Porto knows the best addresses to build your own foodie itinerary.
3 – Enjoy a private guided tour designed for families
Whether more “classic” or themed (e.g. the hidden paths of Harry Potter), discovering Porto through the eyes and anecdotes of a private guide is an experience not to be missed. Just let yourself be led by a local expert who will show you places, streets and viewpoints no other tourist would know. The tour is adapted to children and personalised to their ages, so they can get involved and live a unique moment they will tell their friends about.
4 – Show them the typical streets of Porto
Like its sister Lisbon and other extraordinary Portuguese cities, Porto proudly shows its age: old stones and ancient buildings stand side by side; typical shops and antique stalls flourish day after day as the cobblestones are polished by the passage of time. This fragile, precious panorama is best experienced first-hand — you have to go, touch, feel and see. A sensory experience to share with your children by showing them these seemingly timeless corners of Porto. Let us help you craft this itinerary.
5 – Share an unforgettable family activity, like a boat trip
An azulejo (ceramic tile) workshop so everyone brings back two unique handmade souvenirs? A life-size treasure hunt in the heart of Porto to discover its most beautiful neighbourhoods? A sunset boat trip to admire the city from an unusual point of view and share an incredible moment of peace with your children? There is this, and much more, to reconcile the wishes of grown-ups and little ones.
6 – Use the city’s features to your advantage
Tram, viewpoints, bridges… the city’s architecture is playful and children love variety: why not start your day with a ride on the typical tram, then tour the most beautiful (free) viewpoints Porto offers, and finish by walking across the city’s iconic bridge — or climbing another one? Voyage à Porto is at your disposal to design a day around this theme.
7 – Discover the Douro together by train
You have surely heard of it in your research on Porto, or perhaps seen Andréa, the founder of Voyage à Porto, in the “50 min Inside” show about Porto and the Douro. The sublime Douro valley is a UNESCO World Heritage wine region and a place of beauty we warmly recommend. We have the best plan for you: a full day of discovery including a direct train from central Porto to a wine quinta with breathtaking views and services — a walk through the vines to understand the history and culture of Port wine, tastings (for the parents), lunch in the shade of the trees and a boat ride.
8 – Explore the most beautiful beaches and nature parks by e-bike
Are your children — and you — fond of nature? Perfect: Porto is surrounded by ocean beaches, river beaches, nature parks and “passadiços” (wooden walkways that let you discover nature reserves without harming them). So many enchanting discoveries you can enjoy with your little ones without tiring yourselves, following safe cycle paths on your e-bikes. Voyage à Porto works with the best rental company in Porto and has preferential prices for you.
9 – Do an original family activity, like a surf lesson
We mentioned bridge climbing earlier. If you are a sporty family, Porto and its region are full of activities to keep minds and bodies busy for hours and quench your thirst for adventure. Voyage à Porto can book these activities for you at unbeatable prices.
10 – Spark their imagination
Last but not least, Porto has its share of culture accessible to the youngest. You can help your children escape and learn by taking them to discover superb art galleries, interactive museums, exhibitions and street art works. In short, there is no shortage of discovery in Porto.
Voyage à Porto specialises in designing tailor-made travel itineraries, including the negotiation and booking of the essential services of your stay: airport transfers, accommodation, activities, dining and, if needed, car rental. Contact us at contact@voyage-a-porto.com to create your family programme.
