Travel by Stephanie

One of our favorite aspects of spending one month in Porto, Portugal was truly feeling like we were settling into a routine, and living a life rather than rushing around as tourists. We only worked for the first two weeks of our stay, and with our work schedules pushed to a 1pm Porto start time to accommodate the time difference, we spent our mornings sightseeing and enjoying family time. With our young daughter with us, this often meant seeking out new parks for play time and exploration. Here are three of our favorites in Porto.

Quinta do Covelo

Our favorite playground park

Located in quiet and residential Marquês, Quinta do Covelo offers a large playground (not very common in Portugal), paths to explore, and a long zipline that became one of our daughter’s favorite activities during our stay. We loved wandering this park and enjoying the beautiful spring weather.

Parque das Águas

Our favorite quiet park for exploring

A quiet and beautiful park with stunning overlooks of the Douro River, Parque das Águas is dotted with numerous water features that make exploring particularly fun for young children. A hidden gem off the beaten path, it’s the perfect park for escaping the hustle and bustle of Porto.

Jardins do Palácio de Cristal

Our favorite park for stellar views and peacocks

A large park that draws tourists and locals alike, Jardins do Palácio de Cristal is often busy with families spending time together, children playing, and couples strolling the paths. The views here are breathtaking, and the peacocks that roam the grounds are particularly delightful.

When visiting Porto, make sure to save time to explore some of the beautiful green spaces the city offers.