Things to do with kids in Caldas da Rainha

12 family-friendly places in Caldas da Rainha: zoos, aquariums, playgrounds and more.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Photo: Carlos Luis M C da Cruz, Public domain

SeeMuseum
Museu do Hospital e das Caldas
Museum of the Hospital and of the Hot Springs
Housed in the Caza Real (royal house), this museum presents the history of the thermal hospital and its hot springs. Until the end of the monarchy, the building served as home to the hospital directors as well as lodging for the royal family when they visited Caldas. In 1992, restoration was undertaken, along with installation of the museum. The museum offers tours of the hospital and its associated heritage.
Tue–Sat & holidays 10:00–12:30 & 14:00–17:30, Sun 09:00–12:00, closed MonEUR 3, EUR 1.50 for retirees and youth card holders, free to age 14
EatIndian restaurant
Flavours of India
Flavours of India is a vegetarian- and vegan-friendly, family-run Indian restaurant.
Mon–Sat 12:00–15:00 & 18:30–20:00, closed SunEUR 4-10
See
Parque Dom Carlos I
Parque D. Carlos I, King Charles I Park
This delightful park serves as the main green space in Caldas da Rainha. The paths through the flowerbeds and trees make for a pleasant walk. Visitors can rent a rowboat to circumnavigate the small lake around a little island. The boathouse is now used for art exhibitions, as is the Céu de Vidro ("glass sky"), a skylight-covered pathway between two old buildings that connects the park to the thermal hospital. The Museu José Malhoa sits in the middle of the park. The park contains numerous statues and sculptures, some of historical figures, others more whimsical and fun. The Pavilhões do Parque ("park pavilions") are several interconnected buildings, originally intended as a spa resort for the thermal hospital. They served various purposes in the past. These lovely buildings, which serve as a sort of emblem of the park, have unfortunately been allowed to decay and are on the verge of ruin. Their beauty is still evident, however, and their reflection on the lake makes for a popular photo opportunity. Word is the buildings will be revived as a hotel. The park's amenities include a playground, picnic area, tennis courts, and restrooms. The park is named for King Carlos I (Charles) who reigned from 1889 until his assassination in 1908 at the age of 44. In January 2021, Evasões magazine called the park, "One of the most beautiful parks in the country (perhaps the entire world)".
Open now · closes 10 pm
DoBowling alley
Bowling Caldas
Ten lanes of bowling plus snooker, video games, and Thursday karaoke. The restaurant's menu includes salads, omelets, fish, meat, pizza, pasta, and a kids' menu. Beverages include coffee, soda, milkshakes, hot chocolate, beer, wine, and liquor. Bowl. Eat. Drink. Repeat.
Wed–Mon 11:00–00:00 (closed Tue)M W Th EUR 4/game, F–Su & holidays EUR 4.50/game
Buy
Coccodrillo
Fashion for children up to 14 years old. This is the sole Iberian branch of this Polish chain.
Mon–Fri 10:00–13:00 & 14:00–19:00, Sat 10:00–13:00 & 14:30–19:00, closed Sun
Do
Escola de Vela da Lagoa de Óbidos
Óbidos Lagoon Sail School
Learn canoeing, windsurfing, catamaran, kitesurfing, SUP/paddle board, surfing, foiling, wing foil, and optimist (small, single-handed sailing dinghy intended for use by children up to the age of 15) on Óbidos Lagoon. They offer courses, group lessons, private lessons, and team building. They rent equipment and will assist with accommodation and gear storage and repair. Their bar offers beverages and light meals.
10:00–sunset, Sep & May closed Tue, Oct–Mar closed Tue–Thu, Apr closed Tue Wed
Buy
La Vie Caldas da Rainha Shopping Center
formerly Vivaci Centro Comercial
The largest shopping mall in Caldas da Rainha has four floors with 60 shops and services, including clothing, gifts, home décor, a large appliance and electronics store (Rádio Popular), a bookstore (Livraria Bertrand), and a supermarket (Auchan). The centre includes a food court with 15 restaurants (both Portuguese and international) and a five-screen cinema (Cineplace). Clothing stores include several owned by Zara parent company Inditex: Bershka, Lefties, Oysho, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, and Zara Kids (but not Zara itself). Other international brands include Calzedonia, Claire's, Intimissimi, and Flying Tiger Copenhagen. The 440-space garage offers 2 hours of free parking.
09:00–23:00 daily
Eat
Solar dos Amigos
Opened in 1975, this rustic, family-owned restaurant in the countryside has bullfighting decor. The menu features extensive choices of meat and fish. Special for Saturday lunches only is Cozido á Portuguesa, a hearty, traditional dish of boiled pork, beef, and vegetables. Sunday's lunch special are oven-roasted pork, roast veal, and roast lamb. The dessert display case offers numerous temptations.
Mon Tue Thu Fri 12:00–15:00 & 09:00–23:00, Sat Sun 12:15–15:45 & 19:00–23:30, closed Wed
Do
Praia de Salir do Porto
Salir do Porto Beach
The calm waters of this riverside beach near an enclosed bay make Salir do Porto a popular beach destination for families with young children.
Free
Do Not mapped
Carnaval
Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday
Traditionally, Carnaval celebrated one last hurrah with a huge party before the long Lenten season of repentance that precedes Easter, Christianity's most important holiday. Nowadays, Carnaval in Portugal takes on a more secular aspect, with less attention paid to religion. Festivities begin several days before, with a party for senior citizens and a children's parade. Celebrations culminate in a grand parade with costumed revelers and floats along Avenida Primeiro de Maio, the wide avenue that connects the railway station to the city hall. Young and old dress up, some preferring to make a political statement, others honouring the latest Marvel superhero or Disney princess, or dressing as fruits and vegetables.
Moveable feast based on the date of Easter; Feb or early Mar
Do Not mapped
Frutos, Feira Nacional de Hortofruticultura
National Fruit and Horticulture Fair
Caldas celebrates fruits in the park. Food and drink abound. Musical entertainment nightly at 22:00. There will be 200 exhibitors and over a dozen restaurants, bars, wineries, traditional Portuguese smoked meats and charcuterie. There will also be entertainment throughout the city during this event.
Late Aug. Mon–Thu 17:00–24:00, Fri 17:00–01:00, Sat 15:00–01:00, Sun 15:00–24:00Concerts EUR 3-5; 10-day tickets EUR 15; children under 12 free
DoAmusement park
Pé no Ar
Rua António Oliveira 40b

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Caldas da Rainha (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.