A holiday is on the horizon… and what do we want? To travel!
Easter is a great opportunity for a family trip. Children here in Portugal are on school holidays, which makes it easier to plan a slightly longer outing.
In this edition, I’m sharing six travel suggestions for the neighboring country. These are destinations in Spain that I’ve already visited with my children and that were a big hit with all of us.
It’s worth remembering that during Holy Week, Spain takes on an extra layer of magic, with many celebrations taking place. They are truly emotional cultural experiences, whether you’re religious or not. And if you already have plans for Easter, you can simply save these ideas for another time of the year, of course…
¡Venga, shall we go?
Known as “la ciudad dorada” (the golden city), Salamanca really does have a special glow. I visited in 2023 during the summer holidays and fell in love! Its historic center is very charming, and you can explore it well in two or three days. So if you’re thinking of a shorter trip, it might be the perfect destination.
Treasure hunt with “Salamanca ao pormenor KIDs”
Take a walk through the historic center with the children looking for curious figures on the façades of monuments, such as the frog on the University of Salamanca, the astronaut, or even a monkey eating ice cream on the Cathedral. This free game can be picked up at the Municipal Tourist Office and turns the visit into a fun treasure hunt around the city.
Art Nouveau and Art Déco Museum – Casa Lis
One of the most beautiful museums I’ve ever visited, full of stained glass. For younger children it’s especially fun because it has a collection of porcelain dolls, automata and antique toys.
Ride on the tourist train
A fun outing for the whole family: take the tourist train that departs from Plaza de Anaya, and if the weather is good, continue to the pier by the river. It’s a lovely place to walk, get some fresh air, or even have a mini picnic.
During Holy Week, the historic center takes on a different atmosphere, with traditional processions passing through the stone streets between the cathedrals, the university and the monumental squares.
If you’re visiting with children, it’s worth choosing the times carefully and taking the opportunity to explain a little about the local tradition. It’s a great way to connect with Spanish culture.
And there’s also the part kids love most: the seasonal sweets! One of the most traditional is the mona de Pascua, a decorated cake that often includes chocolate eggs. You’ll also find torrijas (a kind of Spanish-style French toast) in many bakeries around the city.
From Lisbon: about 4h30–5h by car (approx. 460 km)
From Porto: about 3–3h30 by car (approx. 350 km)
What to do in Portugal with kids?
:: Access the full archive of the Portugal com Miúdos newsletter here ::
Mérida has already been featured in a previous newsletter and is definitely worth visiting! We stopped there for a day during a road trip from Lisbon to Madrid and loved the city, which feels like an open-air history lesson with so many well-preserved monuments. It’s a quick city to explore, so you can easily combine it with another destination, such as Cáceres, which I suggest below.
Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre
Two impressive monuments from the 1st century BC that show the grandeur of the ancient Roman city of Emerita Augusta. Being there was beautiful and moving, and the kids especially loved it. Fun fact: performances still take place in the theatre today, particularly during the International Festival of Classical Theatre of Mérida, which features open-air shows in this unique historical setting.
Temple of Diana
Right in the historic center, this temple impresses with its Roman columns. There’s also a small museum next to the temple that is interesting and quick to visit.
Roman Bridge and walk along the Guadiana River
A peaceful late-afternoon stroll, with plenty of space for the kids to walk around freely.
Historic Center
Don’t miss a walk through the historic center, full of little shops and restaurants. Perfect for taking a break and enjoying an ice cream or churros.
Ciudad de la Infancia
Close to the center, this area is very complete: it has playground equipment, a parkour area, a pump track for skateboards, bikes or scooters, and even a water play area where kids can cool off and burn some energy.
Holy Week in Mérida combines religious tradition with the monumental Roman setting, creating a very interesting contrast. Processions pass through historic streets and take on a special atmosphere at night.
In the bakeries, you’ll find plenty of torrijas and other seasonal sweets.
From Lisbon: about 2h30–3h by car (approx. 290 km)
From Porto: about 4–4h30 by car (approx. 430 km)
Cáceres is an incredible medieval city, ideal for a historical family outing. The old town is very well preserved, full of stone streets, charming squares and buildings that seem straight out of a movie. As mentioned, it’s a great option to visit together with Mérida.
Tourist Center Baluarte de los Pozos
We started our visit here, next to our accommodation, and learned a lot about the history of Cáceres. The center has panels, models and explanations showing how the city was built and defended over the centuries, especially during medieval times—an excellent introduction before exploring the historic center.
Historic Center
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the heart of the city is full of narrow streets and stone alleys. The kids felt like they were on an adventure! There are many small shops and cafés.
Plaza Mayor
A great place to take a break, have an ice cream or enjoy a snack in a local café. The space is wide and children can run around freely.
Parks and leisure areas
Parque del Príncipe is a good option, with green spaces and playgrounds where kids can have fun after walking around the historic center.
Holy Week in Cáceres has been declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest. Expect to see many colorful processions crossing the historic center.
From Lisbon: about 3–3h30 by car (approx. 320 km)
From Porto: about 4h30–5h by car (approx. 450 km)
Apartamento Baluarte de Los Pozos
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.