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Trip report: Portugal with a toddler April 26-May 7
Our take
Join us on a vibrant adventure through Portugal, where we spent 11 unforgettable nights exploring Lisbon and Lagos with our three-year-old! From stunning weather to delicious wine, our trip was packed with joy and discovery. We navigated the charming cobblestone streets effortlessly and indulged in mouthwatering meals—especially at the amazing Churrasqueira da Paz. While we learned a few lessons about accommodations, the memories we made, from beach days to local celebrations, made it all worthwhile.
Portugal is calling, and it sounds like a total dream! We are absolutely obsessed with this recent trip report because it proves that traveling with a little one doesn't have to be a stress-fest—it can actually be an epic adventure for the whole squad. Whether you are currently staring at a 15 Day Portugal Itinerary or you are in the early stages and need to Help us choose our next destination! (traveling with children!), this real-world experience is the ultimate glow-up for your planning process. It strips away the fear of the unknown and replaces it with pure, positive energy.
The biggest takeaway here is the total debunking of the cobblestone myth. For too long, parents have been told that Portugal’s hilly terrain is a nightmare for strollers, but this report shows that with the right gear and a bold attitude, you can totally conquer those streets. This is a huge win for inclusivity in travel! It tells us that we don't have to sacrifice convenience for exploration. When we see a family navigating Lisbon and Lagos with ease, it empowers all of us to stop playing it safe and start dreaming big about international trips with toddlers. The magic isn't just in the destination, but in the confidence to just go for it.
From a vibe check perspective, the distinction between staying in Baixa versus Chiado is a goldmine of information. It reminds us that being the main character of your own vacation means choosing an environment that actually matches your energy. While tourist hubs have their place, the real sunshine happens in neighborhoods like Chiado or at a local spot like Miradouro de Santa Catarina, where the community opens up and lets you in on the fun. The story of a three-year-old getting Benfica gear from a local restaurant owner is exactly why we travel. It’s those spontaneous, heartwarming connections that turn a simple vacation into a lifelong memory.
On the practical side, the budget breakdown is a masterclass in smart travel. Using points for flights and choosing aparthotels with laundry shows that you can have a high-quality experience without a heavy luxury price tag. It’s all about working smarter, not harder, to keep the adventure going. Even the honest critique of the food—highlighting the need for more seasoning while praising the authentic churrasqueiras—gives us a realistic roadmap for where to eat to find those 10/10 flavors.
As we look ahead, this trip report makes us wonder: how many other "daunting" destinations are actually totally doable with kids if we just change our perspective? If we can handle the hills of Lisbon with a stroller and a smile, where else can we take our families to expand their horizons? The world is wide open, and the energy is shifting toward more inclusive, adventurous family travel. Who is ready to pack their bags and find their own Portuguese paradise?
Went to Portugal April 26-May 7 with my wife and three-year-old. Overall, loved the trip. We spent the first 4 nights in Lisbon, then went to Lagos for 5 nights, then Lisbon for the final two.
Weather: 10/10. Absolutely beautiful. It was mid-low 20s our entire trip. Might've drizzled once?
Wine: 10/10. Definitely lived up to the hype. Affordable and very good. Vinhas de Xisto Reserva was a go-to for me.
Navigating Cobblestone/hills/stairs: 8/10. To be honest, this felt a bit overhyped. Yes, there are inclines but we managed them fine even with a stroller (Ergobaby Metro 3). It honestly wasn't bad at all. Our three-year-old walked maybe 80% of the time and pushing a stroller was easy so, any parents, don't let the terrain deter you. We actually used the stroller more than our carrier.
Food: 6/10. Quality ingredients but the lack of seasoning/creativity was disappointing. Lots of what we had was bland. My family is from an island. We have quality seafood and seasoning. That said, any churrasqueira we visted---food was 10/10. Churrasqueira da Paz in Lisbon was amazing. I'd go back to Lisbon just for this.
Transportation: 9/10. We used Bolt most times (cheaper than Uber and just easier than public transit for us). It was affordable (way more affordable than in Canada). Also took Rede Expressos to/from Lisbon/Lagos. Good ride. Only downside I'd say is one of the buses didn't have a restroom but they make stops.
Costs: Around $5500 CAD which was less than I had budgeted for a few reasons:
- Flights: Bought in November 2025 with credit card points so we paid $729.21 CAD for three roundtrip direct flights. (Also got lounge access for $21 CAD through the same card. We also did carry-on only so that saved like $150 CAD.
- Accommodation: Booked pretty early. Spent about $2000 CAD here for aparthotels with kitchens/laundry. Honestly could've been cheaper if we didn't book non-refundable but I valued the flexibility.
- Activities/Food/Wine (lots of it)/Transport: We used a Wealthsimple Prepaid Mastercard which reimburses us for all our ATM fees and has no foreign exchange rate fee so I didn't keep track of these categories individually but, altogether, they were around $2700 CAD.
Mistakes:
- We stayed in Baixa for the first lil bit since it was pretty flat and lots of attractions were nearby but we hated the vibe there. I understand areas being touristy (we're fine with that) but it felt more like Niagara Falls / Vegas. We stayed in Chiado for the second part and loved it. Now that I see how easy we were able to navigate the cobblestone/stairs/hills---I would've stayed in Chiado the entire time in Lisbon.
Highlights:
- Beaches/cliffs in Lagos. We were deciding between Lisbon/Porto and Lisbon/Lagos. We 100% made the right choice for us.
- Miradouro de Santa Catarina where locals let us crash a birthday party. Just loved chilling there, seeing our three-year-old play with other kids, listening to live performers and sharing drinks/convos with a bunch of locals.
- Churrasqueira da Paz. Amazing food. Great prices. Always has a lineup and menu is in Portuguese which were two positives for me. We ate here a few times. The owner have our three-year-old S.L. Benfica gear which I thought was super sweet.
TL;DR: Great trip. Cost around $5500 CAD for 11 nights for two adults and one three-year-old in Lisbon/Lagos.
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