Porto is a destination full of tourist attractions for kids, such as SEA LIFE, the largest aquarium in northern Portugal. However, if you live in the city and/or the surrounding area and don’t want to break the bank, there are several free activities for children.
Playgrounds and theme parks, farms, and green spaces are perfect options for sunny days. However, if it happens to rain, there are alternatives as well. Without breaking the family budget, you can start creating unforgettable memories right away in the city of Invicta and beyond.
Mini Zen
Between May and September, the municipal Mini Zen program allows children up to age 13 to participate for free in yoga and meditation classes.
The event takes place every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Although admission is free, online registration is required through the Sports Portal.
Quinta do Covelo
Covering a total of 8 hectares, Quinta do Covelo is one of the best green spaces in the city of Porto, offering a wide range of activities for kids and adults alike.
There, children can have fun at the Covelo Playground, which is equipped with a slide, a sandpit, and other attractions. In addition, the park features an Environmental Education Center.
This means that, in addition to relaxing, the little ones can actually enjoy educational activities related to the environment. Also worth noting are the sports facilities and a dog park.
Museums are always a great option for leisure time, regardless of age. Plus, in Porto, there’s almost a museum for each and every one of us, including futuristic and 3D exhibits.
In fact, in this Porto Secreto guide, you’ll find several museums that are perfect for children. As for free options, we’d like to highlight the Serralves Foundation and the Biodiversity Gallery—Centro Ciência Viva.
Although there is an admission fee for these venues, there are specific times when you can enjoy them without spending a cent. So, just keep this information in mind and make the most of it:
- Serralves Park and Museum —admission is free on the first Sunday of every month for residents of Portugal;
- Biodiversity Gallery – Centro Ciência Viva – free admission on the second Sunday of every month, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Playgrounds
One of the best answers to the question “What to do with the little ones in Porto?” is a classic—take them to a playground. In total, Porto has 39 such spaces and plans to create 13 more by 2028.
Surrounded by green spaces or right by the sea, from the most traditional to the most modern, there are play areas to suit every taste. In fact, this is one of the best free activities for children.
A trip to the park offers numerous physical, psychological, and social benefits. Away from screens, kids can play, imagine adventure scenarios, and explore other worlds.
Soon, we’ll be putting together a guide to the best playgrounds in the city of Porto. But until then, we’d like to highlight a few, namely:
- Playground at the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, on Rua de Dom Manuel II;
- Praia do Homem do Leme Park, at 88 Montevideu Avenue;
- Campo Alegre Residents’ Park, on Rua de Campo Alegre;
- São Roque Playground, on Rua de São Roque da Lameira, among others.
Located in Campanhã, São Roque Park is an oasis in the middle of the city. Known as a camellia paradise in the spring, this green space is also a great place to take the kids for free.
In addition to the playground, the garden features a maze that’s a real treat for the little ones. There, they can run around, hide, and imagine all sorts of fun scenarios.
Now it’s time to take a “peek” at the municipality of Vila Nova de Gaia; after all, it’s right next door.
With that in mind, we recommend two more free activities for children: visiting the following theme parks:
- “Around the World in 80 Days” —featuring playful and sculptural installations inspired by Jules Verne’s novel;
- “Pinocchio” —where you can climb, slide, and even reach a viewing platform, in a space designed to demystify the famous character.
