Portugal: Our First Family Adventure in Europe
When we decided to take our first family trip to Europe, I knew I wanted a destination that offered a little bit of everything.
Beautiful scenery. History. Culture. Incredible food. Adventure. And, most importantly, experiences our whole family could enjoy.
We chose Portugal, and it turned out to be an incredible introduction to European travel for our family.
Our journey began in the Azores, where we spent several days exploring São Miguel. From there, we took a short flight to Lisbon, followed by a train ride to Porto. We stayed in two different areas of Porto, one on either side of the river, before flying home.
Three destinations. So many experiences. One very memorable family adventure.
And if you're wondering whether Portugal is a good destination for families, my answer is a definite yes.
São Miguel, Azores: Where Nature Takes Centre Stage
Our first stop was São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores.
One of the things I loved immediately was how connected we felt to the water. Everywhere we turned, there seemed to be another beautiful ocean view, with mountains, greenery and coastline creating an incredibly peaceful setting.
Then came one of the highlights of our entire trip: whale watching.
We were fortunate enough to see both whales and dolphins!
There is something incredible about being out on the ocean and seeing these animals in their natural environment. For our daughter, it was an experience she won't soon forget.
São Miguel offered a wonderful mix of ocean, mountains and natural beauty, making it the perfect place to begin our European adventure.
Lisbon: History, Food, Art and a Few Hills
From São Miguel, we took a short flight to Lisbon.
And yes, Lisbon has hills. Lots of hills. Thankfully, it also has tuk-tuks!
One of our favourite experiences was a private tuk-tuk tour. Our guide shared fascinating stories about Lisbon's history and, even better, tailored the experience to our daughter. Since she loved street art, he made stops throughout the city for her to explore.
We visited Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery and the Monument to the Discoveries, then stopped at Pastéis de Belém. Thanks to our guide's local connections, we skipped the line and got a special look at how the famous pastel de nata are made.
We learned about their history, watched them being baked and, of course, tasted them. The crisp pastry and creamy centre were unforgettable!
We also took a boat ride along the Tagus River, seeing many of Lisbon's landmarks from the water while giving our feet a break from the hills.
Beyond the major attractions, we loved wandering through food markets, discovering colourful street art, exploring Pink Street and enjoying plenty of gelado.
Sintra and Cascais
We also explored Sintra and Cascais. Although the National Palace of Pena was closed due to nearby forest fires, Sintra was still beautiful, and Cascais gave us a chance to wander its mosaic-lined streets, enjoy gelado from Santini and simply take in the atmosphere.
Some of our favourite moments were the unplanned ones, when we could slow down, wander and enjoy the city together.
Porto: Culture, Creativity and Life Along the River
Our next stop was Porto, travelling there by train from Lisbon.
Once there, we took a walking tour to learn about the city and visited museums, including a cork museum. Portugal is famous for its cork production, so learning about this unique part of Portuguese culture and industry was fascinating.
We admired the incredible painted tiles in the train station, took in breathtaking views from the Dom Luís I Bridge and rode the Gaia Cable Car over Vila Nova de Gaia.
We also visited Livraria Lello, the famous bookstore known for its incredible staircase and architecture and often associated with the Harry Potter series.
Porto was also where we found some of our favourite hands-on experiences.
Experiencing Portuguese Culture
We took a class at a local art studio where we learned about the history of Portugal's famous painted tiles and then painted our own.
We also took a cooking class and learned how to make pastel de nata.
For our daughter, being able to create something herself and learn about Portuguese traditions firsthand added an extra layer to our sightseeing.
And after busy days exploring, there was something wonderfully calming about staying near the river and simply watching the boats go by.
Why Portugal Is So Wonderful for Families
Looking back, Portugal was a wonderful choice for our first European family adventure because it offers so much variety without requiring you to constantly change countries or spend hours travelling between destinations.
You can experience the ocean and mountains in the Azores, immerse yourself in Lisbon, explore the castles and coastal towns around Sintra and Cascais, and discover the culture and beauty of Porto.
There is something for curious kids, adventurous families, food lovers, history buffs and families who simply want to explore somewhere new together.
Our trip included wildlife, history, art, food, hands-on experiences, beautiful scenery and plenty of time to explore at our own pace.
From watching whales and dolphins in São Miguel to painting Portuguese tiles in Porto, Portugal gave us countless opportunities to experience something new.
And, of course, there was a lot of gelado along the way!
Ready to Plan Your Family Adventure?
Maybe Portugal is calling your family.
Maybe it's somewhere else entirely.
Whether you're dreaming about exploring Europe, taking your first international family trip or simply looking for a vacation filled with meaningful experiences, you don't have to figure it all out yourself.
Let's create a trip that works for your family.
As a travel associate, I can help you find the right destination, accommodations and experiences to create a vacation that matches your family's interests, travel style and pace.
Because your family doesn't need someone else's vacation.
You need a vacation that feels like yours.
Ready to start planning?
Reach out to me and let's start turning your family's travel dreams into memories.
