Porto is a stunner. Lining the banks of the Douro River, the city grows skyward from the shore, with 100s of meandering alleys twisting their way upwards. Porto is, of course, synonymous with Port wine, which is certainly available in abundance in the “port caves” on the river.
While “steep hills” and port caves don’t exactly scream kid-friendly, I promise that the city also offers its fair share of activities for the littlest members of your family.
Where to stay
When looking for AirBnbs in Porto, I thought – oh let’s stay on the hillside with a view. I did of course realize there might be steps but I found a building that offered an elevator down to the river. How perfect. Well, turns out the elevator had very mysterious and limited hours. And we were right smack in the middle of the hill, so everytime we left we had to go up or down like 20 flights of stairs. Our one solace was counting the many cats on the hills of Porto, which was a fun activity for our climbs.
After 3 days, we abandoned the airbnb (which also had no AC) and found an incredible hotel: Casa Da Comphania. It had me at hello, with a glass of white port upon arrival. The rooms were gorgeous, the brunch was tasty and the rooftop pool had a lovely view. You can’t go wrong with a stay at this place, I promise.
What to do in Porto with toddlers + babies
World of Discoveries
World of Discoveries is like 'It's a Small World' but with a Portuguese twist. You’re a Portuguese Explorer in the age of discovery, sailing through each major port of call. At one point you get caught in a storm – it’s a lot of fun and you might even learn a thing or two.
Vila Nova de Gaia (e.g. the Port side of the river)
Porto’s famous Port caves aren’t technically in Porto – they’re in the city across the river: Vila Nova de Gaia. You might manage a port cave or two if your child has patience for it. Pro tip: Get the chocolate pairing for happy toddlers.
After your tasting, there's small, centrally-located playground in front of one of the caves . After you’ve had a glass and your kids have had their fun, take the funicular up to hill to the Dom Luis Bridge.
Dom Luís I Bridge
This lovely bridge has both an upper and lower walkway. When staying in Porto, we walked across on the lower portion, spent time in Gaia, then took the funicular and walked back across the top. There are plenty of food vendors and kids will enjoy seeing the train go by as they walk across.
Aquarium
If you’ve gone to Oceanario in Lisbon, Sea Life Porto aquarium may not feel particularly exciting, but it’s still a nice little space with cute exhibits. The backyard playspace is quite nice. The aquarium is a bit far out from downtown, so just be prepared for a bit of a bus ride.
Piscina das Marés
Matisonhos Pool is truly one-of-a-kind. Crafted as a seamless continuation of the ocean, it offers a mix of both saltwater and freshwater pools. Kids have plenty of space to splash about, with the added bonus of the beach right next door – perfect for dashing between pool dips and wave play. Meanwhile, adults can sip on sangria. Just a heads-up: There's a long line on hot days, and there's NO shade.
Hope you decide to check Porto out (and remember, do not stay on the hill).