Visiting Lisbon Zoo with a Toddler and how to get there
- tscheiman
- May 4
- 3 min read
Visiting Lisbon Zoo with a Toddler
How to Get There, What to Expect, and Why It Was One of Our Best Days in Lisbon
There’s something about visiting a zoo that brings out the best in little kids. Animals they’ve only seen in books, lots of space to explore, and just the right balance of structure and freedom. During our Lisbon trip, Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa (Lisbon Zoo) turned out to be one of our toddler’s absolute highlights — and honestly, one of ours too.
It had everything we hoped for: shady paths, animals up close, space to run, and even a cable car ride that gave us a bird’s-eye view of the elephants. But, like any outing with young kids, how you plan the day can make or break it. Here’s how we made it easy, fun, and (mostly) meltdown-free — from safe transport with a child seat to cool-down breaks and where we grabbed lunch.
Why Lisbon Zoo Is Great for Toddlers (and Parents)
Lisbon Zoo isn’t just animals behind fences. It’s thoughtfully laid out, full of trees and shaded corners, and built to be walkable — even with a stroller. The park isn’t too big or overwhelming, which makes it manageable with little legs.
Our son loved the monkey island, the flamingos, and the sea lion feeding — but what really lit up his face was the cable car. It glides slowly above the zoo and gives a gentle, breezy ride where toddlers can spot lions and giraffes from above. It was the perfect calm moment after the excitement of the reptile house and penguin enclosure.
There’s also a small petting zoo area with goats and ponies, a miniature train, and several playgrounds. And for hot days, we found plenty of shade under the big trees lining the walkways — a relief we hadn’t found at every Lisbon attraction.
👉 You can check current hours and events on the official Lisbon Zoo site.
Getting There Without Stress (or a Sweaty Toddler)
Lisbon Zoo is located in Sete Rios, about 15–20 minutes from downtown. While you can get there via metro (blue line), we made the call to take a taxi with a child seat via TaxiBambino.com — and it turned out to be the best choice of the day.
No stairs, no pushing a stroller through busy stations, no waking our child to get off at the right stop. Just a quiet, air-conditioned ride, with a proper car seat already installed, and a direct drop-off right at the zoo entrance. We even booked the return ride in advance to line up with nap time — and yes, he slept the whole way home.
From our Airbnb in Alfama, it took just under 20 minutes. From Baixa or Chiado, expect about 15–25 minutes depending on traffic.
What to Bring (and What You Can Skip)
We kept our gear light: water bottles, sunscreen, a hat, snacks, and a change of clothes just in case. There are plenty of bathrooms and baby-changing tables throughout the zoo — and the paths are smooth enough that our small stroller worked just fine.
No need to bring lunch unless you’re picky — the zoo has a few cafés and kiosks offering sandwiches, grilled chicken, salads, and of course, ice cream. We had a shaded lunch at Restaurante Jardim, near the dolphin pool, where they even warmed up baby food for us.
👉 Want a bite outside the zoo afterward? Sete Rios Market is just around the corner and has great casual options.
A Few Unexpected Wins
What surprised us most was how relaxed the visit felt. The zoo wasn’t overly crowded (we went on a Wednesday morning), and there was space to move at our own pace. There were water misting fans along the paths, benches under trees, and plenty of places for toddlers to pause and take it all in.
We also loved that there were indoor spaces to cool off — like the reptile house and dolphinarium — when the sun got strong. It helped us keep energy levels up for a full morning visit, without overheating or needing to rush.
Final Thoughts: A Gentle Day Full of Wonder
Lisbon Zoo turned out to be one of the most joyful, easygoing parts of our entire family trip. It gave our toddler the stimulation he craved, the rest we needed, and the kind of memories that stick. But the reason it went so smoothly? We made smart choices about how we got there and built in time to slow down.
If you’re looking for a half-day adventure with toddlers or preschoolers in Lisbon, I couldn’t recommend this place more.
🚖 Ready to plan your zoo day? Book your safe, air-conditioned taxi with child seat at TaxiBambino.com — and enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
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