If you’re already thinking about your summer vacation, or haven’t yet planned your next family vacation , then you’ll enjoy reading this article. In and around Porto there are a few theme parks where you can take the kids. But we wanted to extend our suggestions to other places in the north and center of Portugal.
After all, on summer vacations and/or weekends you’re more inclined than ever to explore new places, have fun experiences and, above all, create sweet family memories. Diving into the aquatic world, getting to know the dinosaur era and traveling back in time are just a few of the many possibilities.
We’ve previously presented some of the best activities to do with children in Porto, including museums suitable for the youngest. However, nothing beats the fun of a day well spent in a theme park. In the end, all you have to do is choose your favorite spot and enjoy some great family time. Let’s go?
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World of Discoveries
To start the list of theme parks, how about an experience in Porto? Located in the historic part of the city, the World of Discoveries is not only a museum where you can take the kids, but also a theme park with 20 permanent areas.
In a large space, the World of Discoveries portrays the odyssey of the Portuguese at the time of the Discoveries in an interactive way. There are performances, full-scale recreations and even replicas of old Portuguese caravels.
Where: Rua de Miragaia 106, Porto
Prices: free admission for children up to three years old; from 4 to 12 years old tickets start at €9.35 (online); adults pay from €14.45 (online); and senior tickets start at €14 (online)
Where to buy: World of Discoveries website
Magikland
We don’t have a Disneyland here, but you don’t have to leave the country, or even the district of Porto, to find a place where fun is the watchword. About 30 minutes’ drive from the city of Porto, there’s a theme park waiting for you: Magikland.
Belonging to the municipality of Penafiel, this space is divided into six different themed areas, such as:
- Far-West – among other amusements, there’s a rollercoaster to get your adrenaline pumping;
- Pirates’ Refuge – where there is a giant boat and lagoons all around;
- Medieval Village – in this themed area you can visit a Ghost Castle and dream of fairy tales in the Princess Tower;
- Africa – here you can go on a short Dakar-style safari;
- World of Confusion – there are merry-go-rounds with elves, a flying elephant and more;
- Souk – a kind of Arab market, where you can celebrate your birthday in a different and original way, to say the least.
With lots of merry-go-rounds and other amusements, Magikland is not only one of the best theme parks near Porto, but it also deserves to be called a water park. Around here, there are several swimming pools where you can take a dip and escape the heat.
Where: Rua de Santo André nº 1279, Marecos – Penafiel
Prices: free entry for children up to three years old; from 4 to 12 years old the ticket is €12.50; from 13 to 64 years old entry costs €19; from 65 to 75 years old €15; individuals over 76 years old enter for free.
Where to buy: Magikland website
Pena Aventura Park
Located in Ribeira da Pena, in the district of Vila Real, about an hour’s drive from Porto, this is one of the largest adventure parks in the north of Portugal, occupying around 16 hectares next to the Alvão Natural Park.
The offer is vast and includes attractions for kids and adults, including adrenaline-filled experiences and others more connected to nature. For example, we can highlight the following:
- Fantasticable, one of the largest slides in the world
- Alpine Coaster, an alpine roller coaster
- Quick Flight, a free-fall simulator at a height of 14 meters, among others.
Where: Rua do Complexo Turístico de Lamelas 2, Portela de Santa Eulália, Ribeira da Pena
Prices: different options and packs (available from €27); you can find out more here
Portugal dos Pequenitos
Now it’s time to get away from Porto for a while and take a trip to the Center of Portugal. More specifically, the next suggestion takes us to Coimbra, where you can visit nothing less than the first Portuguese theme park.
Built in the 1940s, Portugal dos Pequenitos is especially aimed at children and stands out for its historical and architectural nature. For those who don’t know, this theme park faithfully represents several typical villages, Portuguese monuments and much more.
Designed by the modernist architect Cassiano Branco, Portugal dos Pequenitos covers five different themed areas and is a real delight for the little ones. The space offers guided tours, educational workshops and other activities for families and schools.
Where: Largo Rossio de Santa Clara, Coimbra
Prices: free admission for children under three; from 3 to 13 years old the ticket is €9.95; from 14 to 64 years old admission costs €14.95; seniors pay €11.95; other options can be found here.
Dino Parque Lourinhã
Of all the theme parks on this list, Dino Parque Lourinhã is the furthest away, being more than two hours’ drive from Porto. However, with summer in full force, I think it’s definitely worth a family getaway.
After all, it’s the largest open-air museum in Portugal and promises to delight kids and adults alike with an unparalleled immersion in the world of dinosaurs. In all, there are around 200 replicas of the animal that once dominated planet Earth.
Where: Rua Vale dos Dinossauros 25, Lourinhã
Prices: free admission for children under four; other tickets available on the Fever app