What to do with kids in Porto

Porto is a charming city with plenty of family-friendly options. In addition to pleasant walks, here are some suggestions for activities you can enjoy with kids in Porto:

1) Boat Ride on the Douro River:

Enjoy a delightful 50-minute boat ride on the Douro River. From the boat, you can see both riverbanks and the six bridges connecting Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia.

2) Crystal Palace Gardens:

This beautiful park offers green areas, gardens, and a lake. Children can play and run freely while enjoying the fresh air. There are also scenic viewpoints, a playground for children, and the opportunity to observe birds like chickens, peacocks, or geese roaming the area.

Birds and kid at Crystal Palace gardens.

3) World of Discoveries:

This interactive museum is perfect for kids. It features exhibits on explorers and discoveries, providing an educational and entertaining experience. Children can discover the history of Portugal through lively and interactive games.

4) Sea Life Porto Aquarium:

If your kids are interested in marine life, the Sea Life Porto Aquarium in Matosinhos is an excellent choice. It showcases a variety of marine species, including sharks, sea turtles, tropical fish, and rays. There are numerous play areas and interactive activities, including an underwater tunnel.

5) Lello Bookstore:

Although more appealing to adults, the famous Lello Bookstore is a unique and magical place that can capture children's attention, especially if they are fans of reading and particularly Harry Potter. Inside, they can find children's books in various languages, and the entrance fee is deducted from the final book purchase.

Lello Library staircase.

6) Tram Ride Number 1:

Take the iconic Tram Number 1 from the Church of San Francisco for a panoramic ride along the Douro River. This line takes you to the river mouth (in the Foz neighbourhood), where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset, a beach walk, and it's also close to the free mini-golf. Kids will love the experience of riding the tram and enjoying the views without walking long distances. In addition, the tram-trains are from the 1930s, and the gear shift is manual. Once the trams reach the end, they have to manually change the electrical wiring and seats, which is something very interesting to see.

7) Serralves Foundation and Museum:

This Contemporary Museum, besides often having interactive exhibitions, has great surroundings for children. It features a wooden path among trees and a small zoo garden where children can interact and pet animals like donkeys, chickens, sheep, or horses.

BONUS TIP: 

Gaia Cable Car: Although not exactly in Porto, it's just across the bridge. Check out the Douro River on the Gaia cable car for stunning panoramic views of the city. Kids will love the experience of travelling in a cable car. Once at the top, in Jardim do Morro, you can finish with a picnic.

Remember that these are just some suggestions, and specific activities may depend on your children's interests and ages. We hope you enjoy your time in Porto with your family!