What to do and see in Central Portugal, Portugal: The Best Things to do Good for Kids

September 5, 2021 Margarita Chappel

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Restaurants in Central Portugal

1. Quinta da Regaleira

Rua Barbosa do Bocage, Sintra 2710-567 Portugal +351 21 910 6650 [email protected] http://www.regaleira.pt/
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 13,313 reviews

Quinta da Regaleira

Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO and built at the turn of the 20th century, this romantic architectural complex is comprised of a Palace, a Chapel, and gardens with grottos.

Reviewed By richardb552016 - London, United Kingdom

This palace is a must for anyone visiting Lisbon. Within easy reach by train and bus, the gardens are a delight with many follies, chapels, delightful views and what is called an Initiation Well which is an absolute must including stepping stones and looking through a waterfall amongst other attractions. The cafe affords a lovely outdoor seating area with views of the palace and gardens. The architecture of all of the buildings are magical in appearance. Allow at least 2 hours. The walk to the top of the garden area is fairly steep but worthwhile. Then it is all downhill from there!

2. Initiation Well

Rua Barbosa Du Bocage 9 Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra 2710-353 Portugal +351 21 910 6650 http://www.regaleira.pt/en
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 919 reviews

Initiation Well

Reviewed By ericsE2241OU - Birr, Ireland

This well is a great place to visit as part of a tour of the Quinta da Regaleira. It is unique (in my experience), and of great interest if you are into the Knights Templar and similar groups. Look ot for the Knights Templar cross there

3. Oceanario de Lisboa

Esplanada D. Carlos I Doca dos Olivais, Lisbon 1990-005 Portugal +351 21 891 7000 [email protected] http://www.oceanario.pt/en/
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39,694 reviews

Oceanario de Lisboa

Opened in 1998, the Oceanário was the centerpiece of the XXth Century's last World Fair, themed "The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future", and eternally binds Lisbon to the Oceans.MissionThe Oceanário’s mission is to promote knowledge of the oceans and bring up the public about the duty of protecting natural heritage, through changing their daily habits.While walking through impressive and unforgettable exhibits, visitors are encouraged to learn fascinating things about the oceans and, more importantly, how to make decisions in their daily lives that actively promote the conservation of nature.

Reviewed By southerntraveller49 - Andalucia, Spain

Although tickets are a bit pricey compared to other attractions, the Oceanário justly deserves a visit. Besides its striking contemporary architecture, the contents are also outstanding. The day I went, there was an original and amazing temporary exhibition on undersea forests by a Japanese artist, accompanied by beautiful music from the talented Portuguese composer Rodrigo Leão. Beautiful for your eyes and ears. The permanent exhibition is also impressive and complete. It attracts with its twilight atmosphere every kind of visitor and leaves you with the impression of having had a glimpse of a misterious and riveting world, utterly apart from our daily lives. The Oceanário has a very varied public, but it seems to be focused on families. That implies children, especially if you go there on weekends, but most of them were well behaved, not bothering your visit at all. There are a bunch of other activities run by the organisation, but even if you opt for a single free visit, you´ll notice that this place has the positive trait that you can feel free here to visit the place at your pace. You can go around some sections rapidly if you want, or linger for a while in others and then come back again. It allows a very free vision of the place, it doesn´t give the impression as if there were a prefixed itinerary that you´d have to follow always.

4. Alfama

Lisbon Portugal
Excellent
62%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 20,774 reviews

Alfama

Wonderful sights delight walkers at every turn in this culturally rich and charming part of Lisbon, which through its architecture reminds visitors of its Visigothic roots, Arabic influence and fishing port heritage.

Reviewed By H5964BQjeang - Kent, United Kingdom

We were so impressed Alfama that we went back! The castle is lovely and has wonderful views of the city and flea market on Saturday is great fun, tram E28 is a good way to travel there and a visit to a bar or cafe is a must; with friendly people and inexpensive attractions it's well worth a visit.

5. Park and National Palace of Pena

Estrada da Pena, Sintra 2710-609 Portugal +351 21 923 7300 [email protected] https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/parques-jardins-e-monumentos/parque-e-palacio-nacional-da-pena/
Excellent
60%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18,360 reviews

Park and National Palace of Pena

Reviewed By bluecarrot - Los Angeles, United States

While not as old as so many other sights in Portugal, this palace and its surrounding grounds are truly awe-inspiring! If youre able, plan to go on a day with good weather and spend the day hiking around the stunning grounds and through the hundreds of paths and trails that wind all through the wooded area at the base of the palace! Seeing the palace itself is also quite interesting, but, for me, the outside of it is more amazing than the inside. The remaining furniture inside comes from a number of different styles and periods and the detail and craftsmanship are some of the finest Ive ever seen but try to go through the inside of the palace before it gets crowded if you want to see anything at all! Sintra is an easy day trip from Lisbon and this palace and its grounds are the gem of that trip, its absolutely worth the time!!

6. Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Fatima

Rua de Rainha Santa Isabel 26, Fatima 2495-424 Portugal +351 249 539 600 [email protected] http://www.fatima.pt/en/pages/identity-and-mission
Excellent
71%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,063 reviews

Basilica de Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Fatima

This national shrine is the site where three young peasant shepherds spied a "lady brighter than the sun," which was, many believe, the first of six apparitions of the Virgin Mary in this region of Portugal.

Reviewed By 504marynam - Detroit, United States

It takes a full day trip from Lisbon to visit Fatima, Balthahal monastery, Bleeding host church at Santarem and Fatima. We were a group of 15 and we hired a 15 seater mini bus with a driver from the Mundo do Flamingo travel agency. Their charges are very, very reasonable - just 500 euros for 15 of us to visit these 3 sites. The driver was very friendly and engaging. Fatima was awesome. We saw the Lucia, Jacinto and Francisco's humble homes - very touching, we also got to personally meet Sr. Lucia's 99 year old niece. The Via Sacra - way of the cross garden is very calm and beautiful. The highlight of the trip was the candle light procession at 9.30 pm. Don't miss this event. Very beautiful to see Our Lady revered by some many from all over the world. When we reached back to our Lisbon hotel, it was almost 1.00 am! This place is worth visiting.

7. Guincho Beach

Parque Natural Sintra-Cascais, Cascais Portugal +351 934 479 075 http://www.cm-cascais.pt/galeria-de-imagens/praia-do-guincho
Excellent
60%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,046 reviews

Guincho Beach

Lying at the foot of the Sintra hills and facing the Atlantic, this superb beach is not only ideal for wind surfing but also board surfing due to the large breakers.

Reviewed By eurydice2017 - London, United Kingdom

Guincho beach is truly beautiful and unspoiled, pretty much deserted out of season and a must for die hard windsurfers. The water is super cold and tricky, lots of powerful currents and big waves at times. During the season there are life guards in some of the beaches but out of season no, so if you feel adventurous and go for a swim proceed with great care. Or just sit and look and the sea, it is SO amazingly beautiful. Unforgettable sunsets guaranteed too! Big sand dunes and great walks nearby, namely one which starts roughly opposite Fortaleza do Guincho (big yellow building, old fortress) with wood paths to walk on and beautiful meandering paths providing stunning views. Not to miss!

8. University of Coimbra

Paco das Escolas, Coimbra 3000-370 Portugal +351 239 859 800 [email protected] http://www.uc.pt
Excellent
62%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,454 reviews

University of Coimbra

The Tourism Circuit of the University of Coimbra unfolds in different centers: - The Palace of Schools where you can visit the Royal Palace that includes the Grand Hall of Acts, the Private Exam Room and the Armillary Room; The Royal Chapel of Saint Michael and the Joanine Library where you can visit the Noble Floor, the Middle Floor and the Academic Prison (with limited access for the preservation of the building). - The Science Museum where you can visit the 18 th and 19 th Century Physics Cabinets, the Natural History Galleries and the Chemistry Laboratory. - The Botanic Garden where you can travel around the world through botanic.

Reviewed By Wortleberry

I think we paid 12.5 Euros to visit a fascinating science museum in the old science faculty, the amazing gilded library, historic lecture theatres and other stunning university buildings. This is the cultural highlight of Coimbra.

9. Centro Historico de Cascais

Cascais Portugal
Excellent
56%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,711 reviews

Centro Historico de Cascais

Reviewed By LucWolfarth - Spanish Fort, United States

Cascais has for thousands of years be the place were first Romans settle perhaps running away from Lisbon. It was granted the state is a village centuries ago and it kept like that. Don’t miss the opportunity of walking on its narrow streets feeling the breeze of the sea at the Bay and it’s fantastic views. It’s definitely a romantic cozy place to be.

10. Palacio Nacional de Mafra

Terreiro D. Joao v, Mafra 2640-492 Portugal +351 261 817 550 [email protected] http://www.cm-mafra.pt/pages/1084
Excellent
60%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,153 reviews

Palacio Nacional de Mafra

The Royal Convent of Mafra, later named the National Palace of Mafra, is an imposing work from the reign of D. João V and the most important symbol of Baroque architecture in Portugal. Located in the heart of the village of Mafra - in the square named after the king who ordered it to be built, it is the only National Monument that includes a Royal Palace, a Basilica and a Convent. There are more than 40,000 m2 and 1200 divisions that include spaces and instruments unique in the world. This is the case of the Library, which holds all the knowledge of a collection with more than 36 thousand volumes; the bell set consisting of two chimes with a total of 98 bells; and of the six historic bodies that returned to echo through the Basilica in 2010. In addition to these unique characteristics, the Palácio-Convento de Mafra has accumulated several distinctions over the years. Classified as a National Monument in 1910, and is, since 2019, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Reviewed By belgianguy1 - Bruges, Belgium

This place is huge and visible from a great distance...then standing right in front of it, I was in awe... definitely worth the unesco world heritage status it got...also check out the gardens, it's lovely!

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