globetrotter14

Travelling to Spain and Portugal this August with three kids between the ages of 6-14. Keeping Lisbon and Barcelona as primary bases. Looking for recommendations for day trips that will interest kids too in these two countries. I am okay with museums and palaces but not too many.

Thanks

efarr99

From Lisbon, I suggest Evora. You can take a train there or drive. The kids will love seeing all the products made from cork. Hats dresses bowls!

ribeirasacra

You do not say what method of travel you will be using.
Barcelona
https://www.illafantasia.com/
https://mosaiccos.com/
Magic Fountain | Barcelona website | Barcelona City Council
Water World, el parque acuatico de la Costa Brava. El mejor parque acuático de la Costa Brava
If you do drive your children may need child booster seats. Depends on age and height. Depending your country of origin you may also need an IDP.

PalenQ

How long in each city?

Great trip from Barcelona goes to nearby Montserrat - famous pilgrimage mecca on a mountain top - kids would not care for that but rather exciting cable car ride up and build expectations of when they glimpse the venerated Black Madonna holy relic in the church.

Sitges is a popular beach resort a short train ride from Barcelona - though Barcelona now has its own beach too but not as nice I think as Sitges.

Trains are great from Barcelona and good to some places like Evora in Lisbon area. One day trip by train-bus or car could go to Sintra for its fairy-tale palaces and then to Cabo di Rocca - the westernmost point of European continent -farther out than Ireland I believe - and see the waves crashing into the rocky coastline.

You could even take the bullet train under the Pyrenees to France in about an hour. For lots on trains in both places check BETS-European Rail Experts and www.ricksteves.com. But I think with three young kids cars are best for longer excursions at least.

Robert2016

You don't mention how long you'll be staying in each location. If the kids are interested in hitting the beach, then from Lisbon you can check out the Silver Coast. You can be in the resort/fishing village of Ericeira in under an hour if driving. Or head down to Sines and Porto Covo in the Setúbal, one of Europe's hidden gems. It's about 1-1/2 hours south of Lisbon by car. Just note that August will be busy along the coast.

burta

I loved the oceanarium in Lisbon. It is vast, and I think the kids would love it.

https://www.oceaniario.pt/en

AndiM

We spent time in Barcelona and Lisbon with our 10 & 12 year old daughters last summer. You're going to have such a great time! In Barcelona, my kids really enjoyed Tibidabo Mountain. The tibibus that takes you there is an adventure in itself! The views from the top are amazing and we especially enjoyed climbing to the top of the church there. There is a quirky amusement park at the top. We only rode the feris wheel and were more impressed with the church and the views. I recommend getting advanced tickets to Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell. My kids quickly became Gaudi fans. They love taking pictures when on vacation. I went to a flamenco show at the beautiful Palau de Musica. While touristy, I really loved the Art Nouveau interior and the flemenco was fiercely intense! I went with my mom but in retrospect wish I had sprung for tickets for the kids.In Lisbon, the kids liked all the miradouros (views from a hill), pastel de nata (yum), shopping. Our daytrip to Sintra was a highlight. Although crowded, Pena Palace, Moorish Castle, and Quinta de Regaliera are all amazing and can be done in a long day. Quinta de Regaliera is especially great for kids because of all the outdoor towers, wells, and caves to be explored. Super fun! I also recommend the nearby town of Obidos. You can walk along the wall that surrounds the city. The shopping was good there and it's just a charming little town. I kept a blog of our travels if you're interested. Here is the Barcelona section: https://familyineurope.travellerspoint.com/59/ and the Lisbon/Sintra part: https://familyineurope.travellerspoint.com/57/ Enjoy and let me know if you have any questions.

Diamantina

Not day trips but city sites you all might enjoy. Barcelona's Montjuic Castle is historic with 360° views. There's also a Cable Car to take you down (I haven't done this bit).
https://www.spain-holiday.com/Barcel...complete-guide
In Lisbon, there's Castle de São Jorge. To get to it, you could catch one of Lisbon's colorful old trams, the #28 (though watch for pickpockets). The castle is only a short walk from the tram stop (scenic Portas do Sol).
Lisbon Castle - The Castelo de Sao Jorge
Lisbon Tram 28 Guide
As Burta mentioned, Lisbon also has one of Europe's finest aquariums. it's located in the Parque das Nações, built for Expo '98. On a nice day, it's a pretty place for a stroll or for an early dinner, as it's right by the river.
https://www.oceanario.pt/en
https://www.oceanario.pt/en/visit/pl...-to-get-there/

lindygirl

We went to Lisbon for 4 days and took a day trip to Sintra. Wd also spent a day in the Belem neighborhood which wasn't exactly another city but was like a day trip. I wrote a trip report with our itinerary and photos:
http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2017/...nd-sintra.html

I also have a trip report for Barcelona but I didn't take any day trips from there. I felt like there was plenty to do in the city itself!
http://fanofblank.blogspot.com/2014/...-in-spain.html

Hope it helps you get some ideas.

PalenQ

Globetrotter probably trotted off since his May post but good info for all.