Portugal: A Perfect Family Vacation

Getting there & getting around

Traveling within Portugal is easy, making it a no-brainer to see different areas while you are there. With the exception of the Azores and Madeira, where you need to fly, you can move between most cities by train. The train ride from Lisbon to Porto is especially simple and relaxing. Just make sure you’re awake as you approach Porto—the views as you come into the city are seriously cool. Alternatively, renting a car for a self-drive trip is also very straightforward, and if you’d rather not drive on vacation, there are plenty of transfer companies that will pick you up and take you where you need to go.

What to do

I can help you discover some of Portugal’s best moments: riding a sidecar through Lisbon, exploring the caves of the Algarve, sipping wine in the Douro Valley, and port tastings in Vila Nova de Gaia. You will hike up to a Moorish Castle and wander through the fairytale grounds of Pena Palace and Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra, then lose yourself in Alfama’s narrow streets to the sound of Fado sung by locals. Along the way, you will savor warm pastéis de nata from Pastéis de Belém—all while immersing in the culture and meeting some of the warmest, most welcoming people you’ll encounter anywhere.

Breitling and Beyond Tip #1

Go to Sintra! But do not do it as a day trip with all the other tourists. Instead, when you land in Lisbon, get a car transfer directly to Sintra. Your jet lag will be better if you stay outside walking through the storybook town and then hiking the hills up to Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle. On the way back down, stop for dinner in the quaint town and then settle in to sleep off the jet lag and reset. When you wake up refreshed on day two, you can head to the mysterious and otherworldly Quinta da Regaleira to walk down the stone spiral staircase and explore the tunnels and grottos on the magical castle property. Once you are finished there, it is a quick train ride back to Lisbon to continue your Portuguese journey.

Breiting and Beyond Tip #2

While in Lisbon, take time to visit the beach town of Cascais, just a quick train ride away. Do not miss renting a bike at the train station and heading west on the bike path toward Praia do Guincho. Along the way, you must stop at Boca do Inferno (Devil’s Mouth) to experience the scenic cliffs and the open archway created by the pounding waves. If you continue on to Praia do Guincho on the bike, take a snack and water. The journey is beautiful, but there are not a lot of places to stop for provisions along the route. You will feel so good when you return to Cascais to have a cocktail and dinner before taking the train back to Lisbon.

Portugal delivers a blend of rich history, dramatic coastlines, and vibrant culture, all packed into a country that’s easy to navigate. From sipping wine in the Douro Valley to wandering Lisbon’s tiled streets and relaxing on Algarve beaches, it offers variety, beauty, and exceptional value in one trip—a perfect family vacation!

Do not leave without trying the "whole pig" and a glass of white wine as you walk the beach just north of Porto.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Portugal page.