Built for the Expo 98 World Fair, the eastern district of Parque das Nações remains a hub for family gatherings. Start with the Lisbon Oceanarium, one of Europe’s largest indoor aquariums; next, head to the Pavilhao do Conhecimento, a museum filled with interactive science exhibits, or take a short gondola ride over the Tagus River. If you have more time, explore the gardens, playgrounds, a skate park, and a flat waterfront promenade that offers a welcome respite from those steep Lisbon hills.

Wandering through Alfama feels like traveling back in time. You’ll hear the rattle of vintage trams, spot ancient monuments such as Lisbon Cathedral, and watch the city unfold beneath you from one of its numerous miradouros (viewpoints). Explore the Castelo de São Jorge, where kids can climb up and down its towers and spot the resident peacocks parading alongside them. Alfama isn't exactly stroller-friendly, but you could easily save your legs by jumping on a tram or an electric tuk-tuk.

On November 1, 1755, Lisbon was hit by an earthquake, a fire, and a tsunami all in one go. Pretty crazy, right? Head to the Quake - Lisbon Earthquake Museum for a glimpse of the city before and after this tragic event. Inside, you’ll find a series of immersive exhibits and an earthquake simulator that will shake you to the core. The museum is just one family-friendly attraction in the Belém district, which is also home to two UNESCO Heritage sites: the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery.

Cooking classes or food tours are great things to do in Lisbon with kids. You can learn to whip up a batch of Portuguese custard tarts or sample a round of petiscos, small dishes that you can share with the whole family. If your children are picky eaters, try dining in one of Lisbon’s food markets, where you can pick and choose from different stalls; there’s the Ribeira Market—aka Time Out Market—which serves everything from donuts to steak sandwiches, or the quieter Campo de Ourique Market.

Exploring the city’s parks and gardens is among the top things to do in Lisbon for families. You can unwind with a coffee at the Estrela Garden as you watch your little ones run around in the playground; explore Estufa Fria, a hidden greenhouse inside the Edward VII Park; or have a picnic at Jardim do Torel. If you have a bit more time, head up to Parque Florestal de Monsanto—Lisbon’s largest park—where you’ll find a variety of sports courts, cycling lanes, and even a campground.

Visiting the Museu da Carris is a must if your family is fascinated by the city’s vintage trams. This Alcântara museum houses miniatures of Lisbon’s funiculars, and real-scale models of the double-decker buses and trams that once traveled through the city’s streets. The visit also includes a ride in a refurbished 1901 tram: This is just one thing that makes it one of the best kid-friendly things to do in Lisbon, as kids can ride in one of Lisbon's signature streetcars without the crowds.

If you’re looking for fun Lisbon activities for children, try a boat trip. You can take the short ferry ride to Cacilhas, a small town famous for its seafood restaurants, and climb aboard the 19th-century frigate Dom Fernando II e Glória, Portugal’s last sailing warship. Wildlife fans will love dolphin-watching tours, where you’ll sail along the Portuguese Riviera and hopefully spot some pods of dolphins along the way.

A short train ride from Rossio station in Lisbon takes you to the heart of Sintra—a small town surrounded by lush mountains that was once a summer getaway for the Portuguese royals. You can easily fill a day here touring fun family attractions, including a Moorish castle, a Romantic palace befitting a Disney film, and Quinta da Regaleira, a park filled with fountains, grottoes, and an 88-foot (26-meter) initiation well with a striking spiral staircase.

The coast of Lisbon is surrounded by beaches that you can easily reach by public transport. The closest stretch is Estoril and Cascais—accessible by train from Cais do Sodré—where the many family-friendly beaches include Praia do Tamariz, Praia da Rainha, and Praia da Duquesa. The water's chilly, but it can be pretty refreshing on hot summer days. Beyond swimming, you can try surfing with a family-friendly surf lesson, or follow the relaxing promenade connecting São João do Estoril to Cascais.