Exploring a new city with a baby can seem overwhelming – especially if it’s your first trip! In this blog, we’ll dive into 15 amazing activities to do with your baby, fun guaranteed.
Porto, the second-largest city in Portugal, is a captivating blend of history, culture, and picturesque landscapes begging to be explored. Last summer, we spent a week in Porto on a Mom’s and Baby’s trip. We explored the city with my 7-month-old baby and a 19-month-old toddler, giving me a unique perspective on what activities are truly baby-friendly in this gorgeous city.
What makes an activity baby friendly?
Everyone has a different tolerance for chaos, uncomfortable situations, and danger. Baby-friendly activities will differ between parents – and that’s perfectly fine!
Generally, a baby-friendly activity has shelter from extreme heat or cold, is flexible enough to fit in with the baby’s schedule, and is not extremely physically or mentally demanding on either the baby or their parents.
Here’s my longer article on what we define as baby-friendly.
Not so generally, a baby-friendly activity is whatever you (as the parent or guardian) define it as. A five-day trek through the Himalayas is not baby-friendly, in my personal opinion, but I know plenty of people who think it’s a great family activity. I think a trip on a boat is baby-friendly (so long as the baby is provided with a life jacket and never left unsupervised), but my parents think that’s insane.
So, here are my ideas and inspirations for baby-friendly activities in Porto, Portugal. Some of these are activities my friend and I tried out on our Porto trip, while others are things I would have liked to try.
Take a bus tour
I know these are *almost* the most stereotypical tourist activities, but I love taking hop-on, hop-off tours when exploring a new city – especially with babies in tow! These open-roofed buses give me the opportunity to rest my legs while exploring the city.
I explored Porto with 2 under 2… so we hopped on the bus for nap time. Our kids slept on the back row of the bus while I enjoyed a snack and much-needed respite from walking.
Once the kids woke up, we hopped off the bus and explored a new part of town.
We used the Yellow Bus for two days, but in hindsight, I’d recommend the Red Bus.
The Yellow Bus company only had two buses while we were there, so we ended up waiting a long time for the next bus.
Just a heads-up: the buses are ginormous, and the streets of Porto are narrow, so be prepared for them to run behind schedule. Most stops are near a café, so Mom and Dad can grab a quick coffee (or a Galáo to get into the Portuguese spirit!) while waiting.
Book a TukTuk Tour
If you want something more personal, book a TukTuk tour. Starting at 35 Euro for an hour-long tour, TukTuks are a great way to experience Porto without breaking the bank.
Flexible private tours mean you can stop whenever your little one needs to. And the TukTuks are absolutely adorable!
Spend a day at the beach
Porto is a port city, close to the ocean. It has many different beaches to choose from!
Our favorite beach, by far, was Matosinhos, located one hour away from the city (by train).
The Atlantic Ocean in Portugal is very cold, and the Piscina Da Mares in Matosinhos are a great kid-friendly bathing option. These pools are safer and warmer than the open ocean.
A day ticket costs between 8 and 10 Euros. Kids under 2 are free, and kids over 2 cost 5.50 or 6 Euros, depending on the day.
Rent umbrellas for 2 Euros a piece at the bar and head down to the small beach inside the pool enclave for a relaxing full-day beach experience!
Visit the aquarium
Finding an activity that entertained both kids was our unicorn – and the Aquarium was everything we dreamt it would be.
The 7-month-old stared at the fish for up to 15 minutes – a lifetime attention span record! The 19-month-old loved watching the fish, playing on the slides, eating an ice cream, and playing in the bouncy house. It was a perfect family day.
Every aquarium we’ve visited since has been a disappointment.
A ticket to the aquarium is good for the whole day, so make a day trip out of it! Inside the aquarium, there’s a fenced-in playground with a bouncy house, slides, penguins, and a snack stand!
Or, you can pack a beach bag and spend some time at the gorgeous beach directly across the street. You can take public transportation or book a hop-on hop-off tour on the same day.
Get your aquarium tickets here!
Cross an impressive Douro bridge and explore Gaia
Crossing over the many Douro bridges in Porto is a mindblowing experience. Don’t stop halfway across the bridge, make sure to explore Gaia, the city facing Porto.
The views of Porto from this side of the bridge are breathtaking, and the small, winding streets of Gaia are much less crowded than neighboring Porto.
Home to many famous port breweries, you can easily combine nap time with delicious port tastings for mom and dad!
Take stroll along Foz do Douro
This was, hands-down, my favorite part of Porto! After spending days inside the crowded city, carrying our strollers up and down flights of stairs while having to yell at other tourists to let us through, reaching the wide, flat, and shady promenade of Foz Do Douro felt like freedom.
You can get there through a Hop-on, Hop-Off tour, public transportation, or a historic tram ride. We didn’t try the tram – I don’t like crowded, enclosed spaces and it seemed pretty full.
Stroll through the Market
Our favorite activity in Porto was free – the Bolhao Market. We’d head over to the market after lunch (and a nap), grab the babies some strawberries, passionfruit, and whatever else they wanted before grabbing both moms a glass of sangria.
The fruit vendors here wash and slice anything you buy. We’d grab a seat on the stairs near the elevator and people-watch while enjoying our market treats.
The babies devoured the fresh strawberries.
Take a Private Guided Walking Tour
I’m a huge fan of wandering city streets and getting lost – but I’m also a huge history nerd, who loves knowing what she’s looking at.
Pre-Baby Caitlin would buy a book to read on the plane about the history of her destination.
Post-Baby Caitlin does not have the brainpower for self-guided research!
If you’re like me, hire a guide for the day. This way, you’ll learn about what you’re seeing. A private tour lets you set your own schedule and take breaks as needed.
Rent a Boat and Cruise in Style
If your baby isn’t running around like a maniac yet, consider renting a pontoon boat and cruising up and down the Douro River.
You’ll get to see a quieter side of Porto and experience this port city the way it was meant to be enjoyed – from the water.
Explore a Vineyard
Portugal has world-renowned wine and port. Take a guided tour to a vineyard. There’s flat, open, and grassy spaces for your kids to run around, and you have a designated driver for the ride back home!
Many tours include lunch, and the option to visit a second (or 3rd) vineyard.
If you don’t want to hire a driver, driving through the Douro River Valley to visit a vineyard is a great self-guided activity. Rental cars are readily available at the airport or the city in Porto.
Take a Gondola above the City in Gaia
Soaring high above the Port factories in Gaia is the incredible Gaia Cable Car.
After wandering down the alleyways (and having a port or two) you’ll be more than happy to pay the 8 Euros to ride back up!
As always in Portugal, babies get to skip the line, and the cable car stops for strollers.
Learn to Surf
Portugal has world famous waves. The biggest wave in the world is found down the coast – but the waves near Porto are great for beginners.
A surfing lesson for one parent is a great excuse to spend the whole day at the beach!
Relax at the Park
Porto is filled with nature. There are parks spread throughout the city, with fountains, playgrounds, and free drinking water.
We frequently stopped our touring to spend an hour or two playing in the grass, climbing up a play structure, and enjoying a relaxing picnic.
You can walk along the Douro River for miles – discovering historical buildings, native plants, and hidden river beaches along the way.
Get Lost in the Old City
I love wandering around cities and getting completely lost. It’s the only time I feel the vibe of a town – I keep turning down smaller and smaller alleyways.
Sometimes, I’ll stumble across incredible hole-in-the-wall restaurants or find authentic souvenirs.
When wandering around in Porto, it is a good idea to have some water and cash on you.
It’s also better to leave your stroller at home for this activity – narrow alleyways magically change into stairs with very little warning.
Eat some delicious Food
The food in Porto is incredible, and the restaurant culture amazingly inclusive to families.
Every single restaurant we ate at provided us with high chairs, and even gave us specially ordered food for the kids – at no extra cost!
The waitstaff at every single restaurant were polite, helpful, and friendly.
One waitress even held our babies during dinner, allowing both moms to eat our food while it was still hot. We went back to that restaurant. Twice.
Conclusion
While vacations with kids are not the same as pre-kid trips, there are places (and activities) that allow everyone to relax and unwind on holiday. Personally, Porto is a magical destination. The Portuguese people are amicable and loving towards babies. Babies and their parents get to skip every line. The narrow streets of Porto, especially in the old town, are too steep and winding for cars (and strollers!) While that may sound like a disadvantage, it’s not. You’ll be able to let your wobbling toddler roam free through the city without the danger of them getting hit by a car.
What do you think about these ideas? Which ones sound great for your family – which ones would you never go on?
Let me know in the comment section below!
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