Things to see and do with kids in Lisbon

Lisbon has many things for kids on holiday to see and do, ranging from museums and planetariums to zoos and aquariums. There are also great shopping centres and amusement parks for families to enjoy while on holiday in Lisbon. Another plus is that the weather in Portugal is warm most of the year, and the local culture is family-oriented so the people are welcoming to kids.

Parque das Nacoes

Lisbon's exhibition park was upgraded and renamed for the Expo '98 world exposition, which revitalised the city and brought international tourists and interest flooding in. The site is now worthy of a full day's sightseeing, featuring several attractions, not least of which is the Lisbon Oceanarium with its 15,000 living examples of marine life. The main tank holds enough water to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools, and is viewed from two floors through curved glass panels that provide a 180-degree view. Another popular diversion is the Virtual Reality Pavilion, which showcases the Portuguese age of discovery. Other attractions include a science centre, cable car, the Vasco da Gama Tower and numerous bars and restaurants offering Portuguese cuisine.
Address: Avenue D. João II, Lote E-mail: info@parquedasnacoes.pt Website: http://www.parquedasnacoes.pt/ Telephone: 218 919 333 Transport: Buses, trains and the metro go to Oriente Station Opening Time: Oceanarium: daily 10am to 8pm (until 7pm in winter)

Oceanario de Lisboa (Lisbon Oceanarium)

Marketed as the second best aquarium in the world, the world-class Lisbon Oceanarium is the most impressive achievement of EXPO '98, which used to be an abandoned waterfront. The centrepiece of the stone and glass building is the 1.3-million gallon (5-million litre) holding tank and the Oceanarium consists of four distinct ecosystems that replicate the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Antarctic oceans, each featuring the aboveground birds, amphibians, and reptiles associated with those waters. Otters splash and dive in the warmer Pacific waters, while penguins shuffle around in their tuxedos in the Antarctic section. This attraction is one that the Portuguese nation is proud of and is an absolute must-see for the whole family.
Address: Esplanada d. Carlos I. Website: http://www.oceanario.pt/ Telephone: 21 891 7002 Opening time: Daily, 10am to 8pm (summer) and 10am to 7pm (winter) Admission: €12 (adults) and €6 (children under 12). Concessions available.

Museu de Marinha (Maritime Museum

With such maritime icons as Vasco de Gama and Bartolomeu Dias, its no wonder that Portugal's Maritime Museum is one of the best in Europe, evoking a sense of what it was like when the victorious Portuguese dominated the high seas. Visitors can marvel at the hundreds of models of 15th- to 19th-century sailing ships, merchant marine vessels, fishing boats and pleasure boats as well as a full range of Portuguese naval uniforms, including one worn at a Mozambique military outpost in 1896.
Address: Praça do ImpérioTelephone: 21 362 0019 Opening time: 10am to 5pm (October to April) and 10am to 6pm (May to September); closed Mondays. Admission: €4 (adult) and €2 (6 - 18 years), free for children under 6. Concessions available.

Colombo Amusement Park

Kids will love the indoor amusement park at the Colombo Shopping Centre, happily entertained by taking rides on the roller coaster, playing video games, going bowling and racing go-carts. The centre also boasts a vast selection of cinemas, restaurants and shops for families to enjoy together.
Address: Centro Colombo, Lusíada Avenue.

Website: http://www.colombo.pt/Telephone: 217 11 36 36

Vasco da Gama Aquarium

The Vasco da Gama Aquarium is a great attraction for children in Lisbon. This aquarium is home to cute little seals with ears (otariids), which all kids will love to see. As well as its wonderful collection of live fish and sea life, there are also preserved water birds, fish and mammals from King Carlos' oceanographic expeditions on display.
Address: Rua Direita do Dafundo Website: aquariovgama.marinha.pt Telephone: 214 196 337Opening time: Daily 10am to 6pmAdmission: €3 (adult), €1.50 (6-17), free for children under 6

Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium

Older kids are enthralled by a visit to the Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium. Here they are invited to explore the universe and its bounty of astronomical wonders. The planetarium hosts astronomical shows daily, offering an entertaining and educational experience for young minds.
Address: Praça do Império, BelémTelephone: 213 620 002 Opening time: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pmAdmission: €4 (adults), €2 (10-18s), free for children 6-9. Children under 6 only admitted on Sunday mornings.

To know more about kids visiting Lisbon