Is Portugal on your family’s holiday wishlist? These 10 excellent escapes could make your wishes come true!
Whether you choose the wonderful and wild nature-rich Atlantic coast, tranquil bucolic countryside, characterful small towns or cool cities, Portugal will delight every family.
Here are our family favourites – hotels, rentals, guest houses and apartments to suit all sizes and all budgets.
1 Villas Martinhal Sagres, Algarve
This low-rise resort with chic self-catering villas set above a long golden stretch of sand and a wealth of facilities and activities, is the ultimate one-stop shop for families. Villas Martinhal Sagres has 5 swimming pools, 3 restaurants, a couple of other eateries, a spa and a watersports centre.
Family rooms: The villas all work fantastically well for families, whether sleeping 4 or 6; there’s also the option of a 1-bed apartment which can have extra beds. And all accommodations can take a baby cot.
Best for: All ages
Family rating: 3/3 stars – a huge range of baby and toddler gear to borrow; all-ages kids clubs including an Active Summer Club for teens and creche from 6mo; tennis courts; football academy; climbing wall; games room; playground; cycling tracks; spa with kids treatments
2 Casas de Pousadouro, Douro Valley
Set on the banks of the mighty River Douro with secluded grassy slopes and panoramic valley views, sits Casas de Pousadouro. This small collection of waterfront houses is self-catering, but you get breakfast brought to you each morning, and there’s a shared sun-trap terrace. Want to find out more? Read about Kate’s 3-generation visit to the Douro Valley.
Family rooms: 3-bed Pilot House sleeps up to 6, Ruin House sleeps 4 in 2 bedrooms, and both Rock House and Amelia’s House can take a baby cot. Book the lot for an extended family gathering.
Best for: Babies, Children (4-12 years), Teens
Family rating: 2/3 stars – swimming pool; river to swim in; kayaks and paddle boards to borrow; boat trips; picnics
3 You and the Sea, Lisbon Coast
In the cool surfer town of Ericeira, about 35 minutes from Lisbon airport, this hip apart-hotel has a playful vibe that’s a big hit with families. You and the Sea has stunning sea views, a multi-tiered pool deck, garden, sauna and a laid-back restaurant.
Family rooms: Apartments range in size from studios to 1-4 bedrooms, all can have an extra bed or baby cot added.
Best for: Babies, Toddlers and Children (4-12 years)
Family rating: 2/3 stars – year-round outdoor pool; heated indoor pool opening to garden in summer; playground; bikes to borrow; beach below; surfing, paddle-boarding
4 Martinhal Lisbon Chiado, Lisbon
In the heart of Lisbon’s vibrant (and pedestrianised) Chiado area is this light and bright family hotel with lovely staff, perfect for young families navigating a city break. Martinhal Lisbon Chiado offers breakfast in the on-site cafe (complete with vintage BMW) or you can opt for an in-room hamper, and simple meals are available all day. There are also heaps of restaurants nearby. Want more inspo? Find out about Kate’s visit to Lisbon and Cascais.
Family rooms: Every 1-bed and 2-bed apartment can take extra beds and suit families of up to 6, all can take a baby cot, and all except the entry-level studios also have bathtubs.
Best for: Babies, Toddlers, Children (4-12 years)
Family rating: 3/3 stars – complimentary creche and Kids Club with free supervised childcare 1230-2200; Pyjama Party evenings so parents can have a night out; lots of baby and toddler gear to borrow; on-site shop selling essentials; supervised breakfast Kids Corner
5 OceanBlue Portugal, Algarve
An activity-based retreat of four self-catering apartments in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, OceanBlue Portugal is brilliant for older families looking for a bit of adventure. The striking white sea-facing villa is set among wild gardens with shady terraces, has modern blue and white interiors and is close to tavernas serving up fresh seafood.
Family rooms: Three of the apartments have a second twin bedroom for families of 4, the fourth has space for a single sofa bed or baby cot.
Best for: Babies, Children (4-12 years), Teens
Family rating: 2/3 stars – a large saltwater pool with inflatables; bikes to borrow; activities tailored to all ages, abilities and levels of adventure (such as sea safaris, SUP, surfing, mountain biking)
6 Quinta da Bouca d’Arques, Minho
Just inland from Viana do Castelo, one of the most beautiful coastal towns in the northerly Minho province, is this elegant manor house. Quinta da Bouca d’Arques has boutique B&B apartments in former farm buildings in lush green grounds backed by woodlands and vineyards. You can read more about it in Kate’s 3-generation visit to the Douro Valley.
Family rooms: Casa da Lavanda can sleep up to 5; there are 5 1-bed apartments which can sleep up to 3 + a baby, and 2 of these can be booked together; the 2 smallest can take a baby cot.
Best for: Babies, Toddlers, Children (4-12 years)
Family rating: 2/3 stars – a saltwater pool; gardens to run about in; bikes to borrow; woods to play in plus a secret garden house; beaches and watersports 15 minutes’ away
7 Comporta Beach Houses, Alentejo
This collection of stunning villas in upscale Comporta is an hour’s drive south of Lisbon, and just inland from those wondrous endless beaches and boho-chic eateries. The six Comporta Beach Houses come in a range of sizes and styles: many are reinvented old barns and cabins, most with shady sit-outs, sandy walkways and semi-tropical gardens.
Family rooms: The smallest villa has 2 bedrooms; 3 have 3 bedrooms; 1 has 4 bedrooms and 1 has 6 – perfect for families holidaying together. Only one villa has no twin bedrooms.
Best for: Babies, Children (4-12 years)
Family rating: 2/3 stars – every house bar the smallest has its own pool; beaches (walking distance from most houses); horse-riding, surfing and bike riding are all easily arranged nearby
8 Muxima, Algarve
An eco-retreat with welcoming hosts enveloped within a 28-hectare forest of cork and eucalyptus bordered by wildflower meadows, Muxima gives you a back-to-nature serenity. Just inland from the country’s finest windswept Atlantic beaches, the B&B has bikes to borrow, benches and hammocks beneath the trees, and great walking hereabouts.
Family rooms: The Terra Suite can accommodate a family of 5; three other suites can have families of 3 or 4.
Best for: Babies, Toddlers, Children (4-12 years)
Family rating: 3/3 stars – a wonderful eco-friendly swimming pool with shallow end and diving jetty; playground with Wendy house and sandpit; resident animals to meet; playroom; swings from the cork tree
9 Casas do Coro, Marialva
In an ancient hilltop village close to the Spanish border, this collection of cottages and eco-cabins is a tranquil spot for families. Casas do Coro has a garden, a shared pool, a great spa, and an atmospheric restaurant serving excellent regional fare, including organic home-grown produce and delicious buffet breakfasts (included in the rate).
Family rooms: All except the Standard Rooms can accommodate extra beds or cots; Superior Junior Suites and the Penthouse Suite have bunks for families of four; some come with hydro-massage tubs.
Best for: Babies, Children (4-12 years)
Family rating: 2/3 stars – big 25m swimming pool on a high terrace with long views; the incredible ruined castle in the village; bikes to borrow; boat trips
10 Boutique Apartments Porto, Porto
A tram ride from Porto’s vibrant historic (UNESCO-listed) centre, in the fun Foz district, these five stylish architect-designed apartments are perfect for a city break by the sea. With open-plan interiors, concierge services, and city or ocean views, Boutique Apartments Porto are great value. They also have beds cleverly hidden within cupboards or raised boxes, and good kitchens (gourmet breakfasts can be ordered too).
Family rooms: All apartments can sleep up to 4-5; there’s a master bedroom and a pull-out queensize bed, plus an extra bed can be added.
Best for: All ages
Family rating: 1/3 stars – gear is supplied (windbreaker, towels, bucket and spade, bat and ball, parasol) for beach action; walks along the decked coastal paths; tram rides and boat trips
