Lisbon · With kids

One enormous central tank ringed by four habitats at Parque das Nações — sunfish, otters, penguins. Two hours; suits any age.

Ramparts to walk, cannon to climb on, peacocks in the grounds and a camera obscura. Ages 4+; take tram 28 up rather than walking.

Hands-on science at Parque das Nações, including a bicycle ridden along a high wire and a building site for under-sixes. Ages 3+.

Twenty-five minutes on the Cascais train to broad sand, lifeguards and surf schools; Cascais itself has calmer coves for smaller children. Ages 4+.

Alfama and Bairro Alto are stairs and tram tracks — a carrier is the only workable option. The Santa Justa lift and the funiculars are covered by transit cards.