Ready for a family trip to Portugal? But have no idea how to proceed? Don’t worry you are in the right place and this is why it’s very important to prepare an itinerary for the Portugal vacation. As we know that Portugal is the most favorite destination and a perfect place to hang out with children and family members. Right from beautiful castles to stunning landscapes, golden beaches, fantastic wine, delicious cuisines, the country offers so many options that will definitely please people of all ages.
Portugal visit itinerary: Tips for a Family trip to Portugal
Though Portugal is a small country, it has many beautiful cities, towns and attractions. Hence if you are going with your family and children, that too for the first time, it is best to book with a reputable travel agent.
Hence to fully experience the beauty of the country, explore various regions and not feel overwhelmed while traveling with children, we recommend taking at least a minimum of 10 days for your family trip to Portugal. Keeping the trip to 2 or 3 different places and exploring each one for several days will allow you to take in many stunning sights and participate in various fun activities.
How safe is Portugal
One of the most common questions in every traveler’s mind is whether the country you are visiting is safe or not. While it’s important to observe a few safety precautions, let us assure you that Portugal is one of the safest places to visit. The country is very tourist friendly and has a very low crime rate.
When is the best time to visit Portugal
There is no perfect time to visit Portugal because the country is filled with loads of activities, attractions and festivals all the year round. However since this is a family trip to Portugal, like most cases one always chooses the summer months. This is because at that time, the weather is warm, people crave for sunbathing and swimming, and also most of the schools have summer holidays which makes the kids very excited for the trip. Plus you will need to be mindful about the booking and car rentals, because summer is the peak crowd time and things get booked fast.
How can you reach Portugal
Portugal has three important international airports. They are Lisbon , Porto and Faro. All major international flights from major countries connect through these airports. Hence you won’t have any problem reaching Portugal. However if you are traveling from UK or other European countries, considering multiple train routes is feasible but can be a little on the expensive side. And finally if you have your own car you can venture for a long road family trip to Portugal.
How to move around in Portugal
Renting a car or hiring a private driver is one of the best ways to travel around Portugal. However there is a disadvantage for drivers who mostly prefer automatic transmission cars. Though there are plenty of rental cars available but mostly are driven on manual transmission. Hence getting an automatic car during the peak time might be very challenging.
Also if you are not fond of driving or don’t want to pay extra for rented drivers, then you can also opt for public transport. A vast train network connects most cities in Portugal and offers an easy and inexpensive option to travel between cities.
Where to go in Portugal
Algarve region- amazing place to relax
Algarve is one of the famous places in Portugal where people are traveling with their family members. The region is full of pristine sandy beaches, beautiful resorts and family friendly attractions. For families who would like to settle down and soak in the sun , making Algarve your first destination is perfect for starting the trip.
Next day you can leave from the historic harbor of Portimao and follow the Rio Arade to the Atlantic, passing fishing villages, medieval forts , lighthouses and beaches on your way to the caves. On the coastline of Carvoveiri which is famous for its rock formations of Algar Seco, you can enjoy cruising before heading up to the lighthouse of ALfanzina.
If you visit Praia de Benagil which is a magnificent beach near Lagoa. The beach has a spectacular cave called Algar de Benagil. Next day go with your family to take a stroll on lush gardens, explore Moorish castles and gothic monuments and enjoy the stunning landscape from the highest point in Algarve.
Head east to visit the town of Silves, to explore the remains of an ancient castle, the Roman Bridge and magnificent cathedral. Silves was once called the “ Kingdom of the Algarve”. This ancient city started during Roman times but flourished during its occupation in the early 11th century by the Moors. There is another interesting place , which is a mountain city located between two high hills, Foia and Picota.
The lovely town has a rustic atmosphere with steep streets and small dark passages. Visit the 17th century Franciscan monastery and 16th Century Parish Church. Hence on the fourth day , grab your paddles and head out to sea in the afternoon. Explore new areas of the Algarve’s rugged coastline in kayaks. Enter secret caves, explore isolated coves and keep an eye out for whales and dolphins.
Alentejo and Lisbon – get lost into the wilderness
Next stop is at Alentejo. This is the largest and least developed place in Portugal. The wild region is known for its farmland, vineyard and olive trees. Spend a few hours over here and explore the region of Evora. These include the Roman Temple , the Chapel Of Bones, the Gothic Cathedral of Evora and Old Town’s medieval world heritage streets.
After lunch, the next stop should be moving towards Lisbon which is Portugal’s capital and largest city. Get some rest and the next day start the morning by exploring ALfama. Next explore the 12th Century Cathedral and continue to the medieval district, Saint George Castle, Lisbon and the Tagus river. You will then pass through the center of Lisbon where places like Avenida da Liberdade, Rossio Square, Restauradores and Pombaline Downtown.
Next up, head to belem where you will visit the church of the Jeronimos Monastery and stop for photos at the tower Belem and enjoy the quick stop to taste the delicious and one of a kind Belem Pastry. Then there are irresistible Portuguese Custard tarts which kids will surely love.Then stop over at Castelo dos Mouros, a medieval hilltop castle built by the Moors in the 8th and 9th Centuries.
Next, head over to visit the Palacio da Pena , located high in the Sintra hills.
Porto and Douro Valley-experience the medieval history
While going to Porto there lies the beautiful place of Nazare. Here on the Costa da Prata , you see professional and beginner surfers riding almost 100 foot waves. The lighthouse on Praia do Norte is where high waves crash into the cliffs. The lighthouse is also home to a small surf museum with surfboards and stories of famous surfers who conquered Nazare’s monster waves.
Then you will cross Aveiro which is known as the Venice of Portugal with colorful boats , the lovely town of Averi has its own personality.
There is another charming riverfront city of Coimbra which is located in central Portugal. Coimbra is vibrant and attracts visitors to see its preserved University of Coimbra. The University of Coimbra was built on the grounds of a former palace.
After Coimbra you will arrive at Porto which is classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Get some rest so that the next day you can meet an experienced guide to discover Porto and take in the city’s iconic buildings and facades. Explore both the modern and historical areas in the city. You can then stroll along the streets of Afurada, a small fishing village where roads are lined with colorful tiles.
Next day your itinerary will take you to Duro valley. Once you arrive, you will visit two boutique family wineries. The whole family can have fun strolling the vineyards, picking and tasting different grapes and learning about wine production. Adults can sample several Douro wines while kids can enjoy the sample og grape juice.
Then enjoy a delicious local lunch where fresh and traditional Portuguese cuisine is served. After eating, take a rabelo ride, a traditional boat ride along the Douro river.
As the day comes to a close, reflect on the incredible experiences your family shared. Time spent together traveling allows you to create new memories and make magnificent new friends.
Steps to Apply for Portugal Visa with us
- Fill the Online Application Form and complete the online payment
- We will book you next day appointment with VFS
- Visit the Visa Centre with all your Documents and submit Biometrics
- Receive your Passport with Visa via Post.
Get Professional Assistance for Portugal Visa Appointment!
In order to obtain a Portugal Visa from the UK for a family trip to Portugal you have to first book a visa appointment with the VFS center as walk-ins are strictly not allowed. A visa officer will verify your documents during the appointment and may also ask you a few questions regarding your trip.
Hence you will need professional assistance to prepare your documents and secure appointments for successful visa application. We provide complete guidance to obtain a Portugal Schengen Visa and manage the entire visa appointment process from start to finish for a little service charge.
See more: Portugal Visa from Manchester – Contact Number, How to apply?
Once you complete your Portugal Visa application for your family trip to Portugal our experts at Portugal visa will cross check the application for accuracy and remove errors if any. We are committed to provide supreme quality services to avoid delays with your visa application so that you can enjoy your trip according to your planned schedule.
Anyone residing in the UK with a current resident permit is eligible to use our Portugal Schengen Visa Appointment services to apply for a visa to Portugal or any other Schengen nation!
Portugal Visa Types
- Portugal Tourist Visa – Short-term Portugal visit visa generally valid for 90 days.
- Portugal Business Visa – Granted to individuals traveling with business purposes.
- Long Stay National Visa – Valid for staying for more than a year in Portugal. Generally British citizens need this visa for 3 months travel, they do not need to apply for a visa for any Schengen countries but to stay for more than that they will need to apply for a visa in advance.
Why Choose us?
Your family trip to Portugal is in safe hands when you choose to apply for a Portugal express visa appointment with us. Our team is available 24×7, 365 days a year, should you need assistance while having fun in the historic country in Europe which is home to panoramic views as well as myriad excursions and activities. Here are the benefits you’ll enjoy when you choose to avail our services.
Just let us know your preferences for appointment date and time and we’ll use our expertise and resources to help you obtain the Portugal Visa from the UK or London appointment that works best for you. We are always available to assist you via phone, email, or WhatsApp. Start your Portugal Visa application today and get ready to explore this vibrant country which is certainly becoming more and more popular and gaining recognition everywhere.
