Portugal With a Baby: 8 Days in Lisbon & the Algarve
Why Portugal?
For our first international trip with our 7-month-old, we wanted adventure without chaos. Portugal hit the sweet spot: family-friendly, affordable, walkable, and easy to reach from major U.S. airports. Locals were extremely friendly, the food was great (and cheap), and the mix of culture and nature made it an ideal intro to European travel with a baby.
We had an incredible trip and wanted to share what worked.
8-Day Itinerary Overview
Day 1
Tue, Oct 4
✈️ Travel
Overnight flight to Lisbon
Day 2
Wed, Oct 5
Arrival → Algarve
Landed 10:40 AM → Lagos
Day 3
Thu, Oct 6
Lagos
Beaches, stroller walks, seafood
Day 4
Fri, Oct 7
Lagos
Coastline exploring, relaxing dinners
Day 5
Sat, Oct 8
Lagos → Lisbon
Drive to Lisbon, Fado in Bairro Alto
Day 6
Sun, Oct 9
Lisbon
Baixa & Alfama
Day 7
Mon, Oct 10
Lisbon
Half-day trip to Sintra
Day 8
Tue, Oct 11
Lisbon
Belém morning
Day 9
Wed, Oct 12
✈️ Fly Home
Depart 12:20 PM
Lagos, Algarve: Relaxing by the Sea
Where we stayed: Belmar Spa & Beach Resort (Lagos)
Nights: 4
Vibe: Chill, scenic, baby-friendly
Highlights
Stunning coastline hikes
Beach time at Praia do Camilo & Meia Praia
Casual dinners with ocean views
Quiet streets perfect for naps in the stroller
Pictured: Praia do Camilo
Pictured: Ponta da Piedade
Lisbon With a Baby: Culture + Charm
Where we stayed: Rossio Plaza Hotel
Nights: 4
Vibe: Big-city energy but very manageable
What we loved
Bairro Alto Fado (Saturday)
We went early before it got packed and listened to live Fado drifting through the streets.
Baixa & Alfama (Sunday)
Grand plazas in the morning, hilly alleys in the afternoon. Nap in the carrier.
Sintra (Monday)
Palácio da Pena is a must, but not stroller-friendly. Carrier was essential.
Belém (Tuesday)
Pastéis de Belém (worth the line), Jerónimos Monastery (skip line with baby or toddler), and a riverside walk for our last morning.
What We Learned Traveling With a 7-Month-Old
Bring both a stroller and a carrier.
Stroller was great in Lagos and flat areas of Lisbon. Carrier saved us in Alfama and Sintra. Our baby also loved the stroller naps.
Keep days simple.
One main outing per day + naps on the go kept a good balance of seeing what we wanted to see without overdoing it.
Portugal embraces families.
People were kind, restaurants were welcoming, and several attractions had family lines that saved us long waits.
What We Spent (and How We Saved)
Flights
$1,350 (2 adults + lap infant)
Lodging
$1,500 (8 nights)
Rental Car + Gas
$350
Food & Drinks
$400
Activities / Other
$200
Total
$3,800
We visited in October (shoulder season), chose mid-range lodging, ate mostly casual meals, and kept activities simple.
6 Ways We Saved Money
Traveled in shoulder season
Skipped tours; explored on our own
Focused on free or cheap activities (beaches, viewpoints, city walks)
Packed enough baby gear to avoid overpriced buys
Used a lap-infant fare (we love United and they are great with kids); ask for bassinet seats after booking your flight
Would We Recommend It?
Absolutely. Portugal was beautiful, relaxed, and extremely family-friendly. It wasn’t always easy traveling with a baby, but it was worth it. If you’re on the fence about taking your first international trip with an infant, this is a great place to start. This trip re-ignited a passion for traveling and seeing the world, and doing it with our children makes it so special and memorable.