How to Travel Portugal with a Baby or Toddler

As a new parent, traveling with your baby or toddler, especially abroad, can seem overwhelming at first which is why it’s important to pick the right destinations for your family vacation. If you’re planning to travel to Europe this summer, consider one of the most baby friendly countries - Portugal! 

Is Portugal a good place to travel with kids?

Yes, Portugal is a great place to travel with kids! The country is known for its beautiful beaches, historic sites, delicious food, and most of all its friendly locals, making it an ideal destination for families.

Here are some reasons why Portugal is a great place to travel with kids:

Beautiful beaches: Portugal has some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, which are perfect for families to enjoy. The Algarve region, in particular, has many family-friendly beaches with calm waters and plenty of activities for kids.

Historical sites: Portugal has a rich history, and there are many historic sites and landmarks that families can visit. From the castles and palaces of Sintra to the medieval town of Obidos, there is something for everyone.

Delicious food: Portuguese cuisine is delicious and diverse, with plenty of options for kids. The restaurants and staff are incredibly accommodating to families. They will almost always offer a high chair for your little one and don’t be surprised if the local restaurant staff offer to hold your baby for you during your meal - they are that kind! During our experience in Portugal, at every restaurant we went to, the staff always greeted us warmly, asked if we needed a high chair for our daughter, played peek-a-boo with her, and even made her special mocktails to include her in the experience of the meal. 

Friendly locals: Portuguese people are known for their warmth and hospitality, and they are always happy to welcome families with children. I have never felt more cherished and valued as a mother than I did in Portugal. No one gave us rude stares when we walked into a restaurant with our baby, everyone showed us empathy when our daughter had a meltdown in public, and we were even given priority in queues at the store and seating on the train.  

Is Portugal baby and toddler friendly? 

Portugal is a very baby and toddler friendly destination! Portuguese people truly love children and are very welcoming and accommodating to families with babies and young children. Here are some reasons why Portugal is a great place to travel with babies:

Accessible facilities: Most hotels, restaurants, and attractions in Portugal have baby-changing facilities and high chairs, and many have stroller-friendly access. 

Safe environment: Portugal is generally a safe and secure country, with low levels of crime and excellent healthcare facilities. The country is also very family-oriented, so you can feel comfortable and safe traveling with a baby. We never felt unsafe during our trip, even at night walking around with our baby. 

Baby-friendly food: Portuguese cuisine is diverse and includes plenty of healthy options for babies, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, and rice dishes. You can also find all of your baby essentials at Continente, a grocery store chain in Portugal, which reminded us of a European Target. It seriously has everything you need! Stores like Pingo Dolce and Celeiro (health food store) also have wonderful baby essentials as well such as diapers, wipes, snacks, and baby food.

Outdoor activities: Portugal is a great destination for outdoor activities, including walking, hiking, and swimming, which can be enjoyed with a baby carrier or a stroller. They also have plenty of parks to enjoy as well. 

Warm weather: Portugal has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm summers, which is perfect for families with babies.

Should I take a stroller to Portugal? 

Bringing a stroller to Portugal depends on your specific travel plans and the age of your child. Some factors to consider when deciding whether or not to bring a stroller are: 

Age of your child: If you have a young child who is not yet walking, a stroller will likely be essential for getting around and keeping them safe and comfortable. However, if your child is older and can walk independently, a stroller may not be necessary.

Terrain: The type of terrain you will encounter in Portugal may also influence your decision. If you plan to visit cities with paved sidewalks and flat terrain, a stroller may be convenient. But even in cities like Lisbon and Porto you’ll often be met with stairs and steep hills so having a lightweight stroller you can pick up or fold will be your best option. We brought our Lightweight Mom Push Stroller with us which was perfect! It was easy to pick up, it folds which is great for restaurants and on the train when we need to have more space, and it even has a handle to pull behind you if you need to as well as a handy cup holder. I can’t recommend this lightweight stroller enough especially if you plan to travel often as it also fits in the overhead bin of an airplane. 

Public transportation: If you plan to use public transportation, you should check if the buses or trains are stroller accessible. Most buses and metro stations in Portugal are equipped with elevators and ramps, but it's always good to check ahead of time. However, there will always be dedicated space on the trains for family seating that accommodates strollers. 

Ultimately, the decision to bring a stroller comes down to your personal preference and travel style. If you prefer the convenience of having a stroller, then it's a good idea to bring one. If you prefer to travel light and don't mind carrying your child or using a baby carrier, then a stroller may not be necessary. We found it was easier to bring our baby carrier most of the time for the most ease and flexibility as we were often unsure how the terrain would be where we were traveling.

 I highly recommend the Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier as it adapts to your growing baby from newborn to toddler. It’s extremely comfortable for both you and your baby, cool and breathable, with lower back comfort with a padded lumbar support waist belt, and extra padded shoulder straps. You also have  the option to wear it 2 ways: Crossed or "backpack style", in addition to having a handy pouch for your car keys and credit cards. 

Do you need a carseat for a baby in Portugal? 

Portugal does require by law that all children under 12-years old and less than 135cm tall be in an approved car seat in the back seat of a vehicle. If you plan on visiting Portugal with your child and they do require a car seat, consider bringing your car seat with you. If you’re worried about your car seat being damaged during the flight over, consider purchasing a car seat cover like this one to keep your car seat safe during travel. This particular car seat cover also has wheels and straps so you can wear it like a backpack making it easier to travel with. 

But if you don’t want to bring your car seat with you there are a few options you have: 

Can I bring a baby in a taxi in Portugal? 

Although it is the law for children under the age of 12 to be in a car seat in Portugal, taxis are exempt from this requirement. For taxi’s a child under the age of 3 may travel unrestrained in a taxi if a child restraint is not available.

This is totally up to your discretion should you choose this option for you and your child. 

Will Uber let you ride with a baby? 

Technically you should provide a car seat when traveling with a baby via Uber as Uber’s are not always equipped with car seats and booster seats. Will the Uber driver enforce this? Not always. 

From our own personal experience, we took multiple Ubers throughout Portugal with our baby without a carseat and rode with her in her carrier for short trips. This may not be an option you are comfortable with and if you choose to bring your car seat with you in an Uber they will allow you to install it in the back seat of the vehicle for your trip should you choose to do so.  

Can you ride public transportation with a baby in Portugal? 

Absolutely! The great thing about Portugal, especially many of the larger cities such as Lisbon and Porto is that they have excellent public transportation in the form of trains, metros, and buses. We rarely took a taxi or an Uber during our three months living in Portugal as we relied heavily on public transportation and walking. We also loved that the public transportation options typically have designated family seating to accommodate strollers as well.  

Overall, Portugal is a great destination for families with kids of all ages including babies and toddlers. There are plenty of activities and attractions to keep everyone entertained and it’s a very easy country to get around with a baby or toddler. Whether you decide to bring your car seat, baby carrier, or stroller is totally up to you and based on the needs of your family.