Summer Abroad Camp List: Portugal Edition
9 summer camps your kids will love in one of my favorite countries
Today we’re talking about a place that is incredibly special to me, Portugal, as a strong contender for your family’s summer abroad adventure. Whether you want to spend weeks as a family, working abroad in one of the many modern coworking spaces, or want to enroll your kids for just a week to give you some time as adults to explore by yourselves, Portugal is by far one of my favorite countries for living in Europe.
In the summer of 2024, our family spent 9 weeks living in Sintra, a quaint fairytale-like town about 30 minutes from Lisbon. This wasn’t just a long vacation, it was a full-life relocation. The kids went to summer camp, Jason and I worked, we hiked the Sintra hills, explored the coast, enjoyed vibrant days in Lisbon, and really felt like we were living abroad. There are so many sites to see, day-trips and weekend trips from the south in the Algarve, to farther north in Porto.
Portugal is magic. It’s affordable, the people are kind, the food is incredible and it has undeniable natural beauty that makes it feel like a true reset. Whether you’re looking at the city of Lisbon or the coastal charm of Cascais (my fav. beachside town), here is how to operationalize your Portuguese summer.
Logistics: Getting There & Staying There
Ease of Getting There:
Major Airports: Land at Lisbon (LIS) or Porto (OPO)
Flights: Direct flights are standard to Lisbon from major U.S. hubs like New York, Boston, and even San Francisco, typically taking between 7 to 11 hours. TAP is the national airline, and very reasonably priced.
The Commute: The Lisbon airport is very central. A taxi or Uber/Grab to the city center takes 15–25 minutes (€15–€25)
Getting Around: Stroller vs. Scooter Realism
Uber & Grab: Uber is incredibly affordable and reliable here, and Grab is even cheaper. It’s often cheaper than taking the whole family on public transit. We packed these compact portable car seat vests for Caden and Willow. They are a must-have in Portugal.
Skip the Scooters: Between the steep hills and the tiled sidewalks, scooters are more of a hazard than a help.
The Stroller Strategy: You need a stroller with great suspension for the cobblestones. If you’re in Lisbon, baby-wearing is easier for the steepest neighborhoods. If you have a toddler, I highly recommend this toddler sling.
Cost of Living & Rentals:
Average 2-Bedroom Rental: A 2-bedroom in a family-friendly area like Estoril or Príncipe Real ranges from $3,500–$6,000/month in July.
Stocking Up: For a massive initial stock-up, grab a ride-share to an Auchen, a massive Walmart-like supermarket.
The “American Reality” Check:
Air Conditioning: More common in modern Lisbon apartments, but still rare in older buildings. Check for “Ar Condicionado.”
Laundry: A very standard European setup: washer in the kitchen, no dryer. Buy a drying rack and let the Atlantic sun do the work.
The Weather: What to Expect in July
The Temperature: It ranges from 75°F–85°F. It’s rarely “stifling” because of the proximity to the ocean. However, it can definitely get into the mid 90°Fs in July, and Douro Valley can easily be in the 100°Fs
Evening Vibe: You’ll definitely want a light jacket at night as it can get chilly in the breeze.
The Portugal Food Scene & Typical Schedule
What to Eat:
Summer Produce: July is the season of figs and stone fruits. Look for the giant, sweet Alentejo Melons and watermelons sold at markets.
Market Staples: Keep an eye out for Costoluto-style tomatoes and the uniquely sweet zucchine at local mercados.
Pastel de Nata: You can’t live in Portugal for a summer without a Pastel de Nata ritual. They are the perfect morning snack (lanche da manhã) or 4:00 p.m. bribe for the kids. My son still talks about them!
Seafood: So much seafood! Order it all!
The Wine Scene: Everyone knows Port, but for hot summer afternoons, you want Vinho Verde. It’s a “green” (young) wine from the north. It’s crisp, slightly effervescent, and low in alcohol, making it the perfect day-drinking choice.
Typical Eating Schedule:
Lunch: 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Many restaurants offer a Prato do Dia (dish of the day) that includes soup, a main, and coffee for a steal.
Dinner: 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. While some spots open at 7:00 p.m., they will be empty. Locals don’t start showing up until at least 8:00 p.m.. If you have younger kids, look for “Tascas” (casual taverns) where the vibe is loud and nobody cares if your toddler is under the table.
Things to Do With Kids
I cannot stress just how many indoor and outdoor activities there are to do with kids in and around Lisbon, not to mention the many beaches to explore. This is a fraction of my extensive list. Plus Porto and the Algarve have an entire list of things as well. TLDR, this is a sample with Lisbon as your home base, not my full Portugal menu.
Skip the Tram and do a Tuk Tuk Lisboa tour instead: Seriously, avoid the insane crowds and lines, the tram won’t be enjoyable with kids. Instead opt for a private Tuk Tuk tour instead to see all of Lisbon without little legs getting tired.
Oceanário de Lisboa: A great urban aquarium to visit in the morning. Walk over to Honest Greens after for a yummy late lunch.
Cascais Beaches: Take the train from Lisbon to Cascais and spend the day at the beautiful beaches. For older kids there is an inflatable obstacle course in the water to enjoy.
Pavilhão do Conhecimento: An interactive science museum in Parque das Nações that kids actually want to stay in all day.
Picnic at Jardim da Estrela: A beautiful park with a great playground and a kiosk cafe for parents to grab a coffee or set up a nice picnic.
LX Factory: An industrial-chic complex with great shops, art, and rooftop bars. Perfect for a kid-free afternoon.
Quinta da Regaleira: Travel to fairytale Sintra on the train from Lisbon for a day of exploring. Skip Pena Palace if its not sunny out or (its quite miserable), but definitely visit the spiral staircase regardless of the weather.
Things to Do Without Kids
Same story as above, there are SO MANY things to do and restaurants to try sans kids. This is a small snippet of my favorites.
Sunset at a “Miradouro”: Head to Miradouro da Graça for a glass of wine and the best sunset view over the red roofs of Lisbon.
Boat Tour: My favorite way to see the city, enjoy a full morning or afternoon sipping Vino Verde from a boat along the water.
Sintra Hike: Do the steep hike up to the Castelo dos Mouros without having to carry a toddler. The views are incredible.
Eat at 2 Michelin Star Alma: For a real, memorable treat, try Alma for new-age Portuguese dishes, or try one of the 38+ one Michelin star dining experiences in Lisbon’s dense concentration of fine dining.
Wine Tasting in Chiado: Visit a local wine bar to sample Vinho Verde (perfect for summer) or a deep Douro red.
Local Support
Here are some background-checked care platforms:
Babysits.pt: A reliable platform to find local, often English-speaking sitters. Average Rates: €10–€15/hour.
Nanny Please: A higher-end agency that provides fully vetted, professional childcare for families on the go. Average Rates: €20–€35/hour.
The Portugal Summer Camp List
I’ve researched 9 camps for you including dates, hours, pricing, activities and more!
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