If you’re looking for a quick beach day while exploring Lisbon with kids, put Praia do Rei on your list. Located along the Costa da Caparica coastline—a stunning 30 km stretch of golden sand—it takes just 30 minutes to drive here from central Lisbon. When we visited, we were immediately sold: soft white sand, mild waves perfect for splashing, and plenty of amenities to keep things stress-free.
Where to Eat & Relax: Princesa Beach Restaurant
Praia do Rei offers a great mix of open public spaces and organized beach clubs. Local friends recommended we check out Princesa, a gorgeous spot right on the sand offering dining and sunbed rentals.
- Pro Tip: Sunbed rentals are set further back from the water than the public beach area. We strongly recommend reserving a table online ahead of time, especially on sunny weekends. We booked a shaded table directly on the sand, which made the perfect base camp.
- Dinning: The food at Princesa was delicious—we loved the shrimp tacos and pork strips. It is exceptionally family-friendly, too:
- Kids’ Menu: Our kids opted for a simple, classic plain pasta.
- High Chairs: High chairs are on hand for little ones.
- Vibe: Relaxed and upscale, yet very welcoming to families.
What to Do at Praia do Rei with Kids
After lunch, we headed down to the water to enjoy the surf. Because it’s a popular summer spot, the shore can get quite busy on warm afternoons, but there is still plenty of room to spread out.
Here is what made it an easy, fun outing for our family:
- Water Sports Watching: A dedicated section of the beach is reserved for wind sports. We loved watching kite surfers and windsurfers catch the ocean breeze. If you are feeling adventurous, you can rent gear directly through Princesa.
- Safety: Lifeguards are on duty, which provides great peace of mind when traveling with young swimmers.
- Easy Beach Access: A paid parking lot right by the beach connects directly to a wooden boardwalk leading straight to the restaurant and sand. This was a lifesaver for navigating our stroller and hauling beach gear.
- Parking Note: We arrived in the afternoon and waited only 10 minutes for a spot to open up at “Estacionamento Praia do Rei”, but arriving earlier in the morning is your best bet on peak summer weekends.
Final Thoughts
If you’re pulling together a list of family-friendly things to do in Lisbon, spending an afternoon at Praia do Rei is an easy, enjoyable day trip. The soft sand, convenient beach club amenities, and gentle waves make for a seamless family outing.
For more family-friendly ideas, check out our Family Guides to Lisbon.