If you’re already thinking about your summer vacation, or haven’t yet planned your next family outings, then you’ll enjoy reading this article. In the city of Porto and its surroundings, there are several theme parks where you can take the kids. However, we wanted to take this opportunity to expand our suggestions to other places in Northern and Central Portugal.
After all, during summer vacations and/or weekends, you’ll feel more than ever like exploring new places, having fun, and, above all, creating sweet family memories. Diving into the aquatic world, learning about the age of dinosaurs, and traveling back in time are just a few of the many possibilities.
To kick off the list of theme parks, how about an experience right in Porto? Located in the city’s historic district, World of Discoveries isn’t just a museum where you can take the kids—it’s also a theme park with 20 permanent attractions.
Spanning a vast area, World of Discoveries brings to life the Portuguese odyssey during the Age of Discovery in an interactive way. To do so, it features performances, life-size reenactments, and even replicas of the old Portuguese caravels.
Want to sail aboard a pirate ship or enter a haunted castle without having to catch a plane? Just 40 minutes from the city of Porto, this amusement park invites you to journey through six themed worlds. You can fly over the savanna in the Africa area , stroll through the streets of Paris in the World of Confusion, or feel the adrenaline rush of the iconic roller coaster in the authentic Wild West.
When the heat is on, the park also serves as a summer retreat thanks to its pools and water slides —including a giant 80-meter-long slide for adults. To recharge between rides and dips, the park features several bars, a self-service area, and the always tempting—but delicious—Cantinho das Guloseimas.
About an hour’s drive from Porto, Pena Aventura Park spans 16 hectares next to the Alvão Natural Park. The park’s main attraction is the Fantasticable, often cited as one of the largest slides in Europe.
Unlike traditional zip lines, here you don’t descend vertically. You cross the mountain lying down, on a cable over a kilometer and a half long and 150 meters high, connecting the villages of Lamelas and Bustelo. The ride takes you at 130 km/h on a literal flight over the landscape, without wings or an airplane.
For those who prefer a different kind of adrenaline rush, the park offers activities such as the Alpine Coaster— a roller coaster on rails with a 700-meter descent down the hillside— paintball, rock climbing, a free-fall simulator, and water sports like rafting on the Tâmega River or canyoning on the Poio River.
MonkeyPark
With three locations in Gaia, Esposende, and Braga, MonkeyPark is a space designed solely and exclusively for children ages 2 to 14.
This adventure park features over 30 activities, including tree-top adventures, slides, rock climbing, target shooting, and themed areas like Casa Duende and Árvore dos Macacos. It’s an indoor option for fun times that doesn’t require a lot of planning.
Portugal’s largest open-air museum dedicated to the world of dinosaurs and paleontology invites you on an impressive journey through more than 420 million years of history. Along a three-kilometer trail, you can explore the grounds and see 180 life-size, scientifically accurate animal models up close.
Among the most impressive exhibits are a T. Rex and a Supersaurus, as well as the largest dinosaur ever displayed in Portugal and Europe: a giant model 45 meters long. The experience is suitable for all ages, and the venue is wheelchair accessible, making it an immersive option for a day outdoors.
Portugal for the Little Ones
Built in the 1940s, Portugal dos Pequenitos is designed especially for children and stands out for its historical and architectural character. For those who aren’t familiar with it, this theme park faithfully recreates several traditional villages, Portuguesemonuments, and much more.
Designed by modernist architect Cassiano Branco, Portugal dos Pequenitos features five different themed areas and is a real treat for the little ones. The park offers guided tours, educational workshops, and other activities for families and schools.
