Family trip to Leiria with children. Ideas on where to go with your child

Leiria is a wonderful city for a family vacation. Here, entertainment available to visitors includes but not limited to various entertainment centers that each family member will certainly enjoy, sightseeing (among attractions are Castelo de Leiria, Catedral de Leiria), watching sports games at Estádio Municipal de Leiria - Dr. Magalhães Pessoa built specifically for the UEFA Euro 2004, as well as walks in the park and beach activities (handball, volleyball, surfing, SUP-boarding, horseback riding).

After a sightseeing tour and exploring the city (or before that, the algorithm doesn't matter in this case), parents can start familiarizing their kids with activities that every child would certainly enjoy. So, it’s definitely a good idea to take them to Mariparque Water Park. The facility is well organized, the place is very beautiful. The water park provides a spa zone where adults can enjoy a relaxing time while the kids are trying out various slides. If the child is hungry, there is no need to leave the building - visitors can have a bite to eat right on the spot.

Another interesting water park is called Norpark. It is largely aimed at the smallest ones. The number of rides is rather small, however, its pools are sure to please the most fastidious parents. Anyway, this place is perfect to hide from the summer heat. One more cool water park is Panorâmico Aquaparque, which is known for its spaciousness and comfort. This is a very quiet place where it is nice to spend time with the whole family. Despite a small number of slides, the water park attracts many tourists and local residents alike. Those who just want to swim without any slides would prefer a place called Complexo Piscinas Municipais de Leiria. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Young tourists will also like Vale do Lapedo, Leiria's natural and cultural landmark, a kind of authentic village. On the territory of the area, there are three houses with old mills surrounded by immense vegetation. Needless to say, the extraordinary landscapes fascinate everyone - both adults and children. That is why the park is certainly worth a visit. Also, on the territory, you can see unique representatives of the local flora, which attracts botany enthusiasts (and curious kids too!). However, young tourists are more attracted by the fact that the park has several playgrounds.

In the vicinity of Leiria is Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros - a nature park with many beautiful caves is highly appreciated by children and their parents. A very beautiful mountain range amidst greenery - that's how one might describe this fascinating piece of land. In the park, you'll find the scientific museum Centro Ciência Viva do Alviela - Carsoscópio where you can learn a lot of new (and most importantly, interesting) information. Great interactive programs and exhibitions are available here for visitors, and kids are especially impressed by bat caves.

It is also worth noting that when it comes to beaches, Praia do Pedrogao and Praia de Sao Pedro de Moel are the best for families. The beaches have developed infrastructure so one can enjoy almost any kind of water sport. Water on the coast is also great for swimming. Kids get an unforgettable experience if they not only swim, play beach sports, and sunbathe, but also ride a pony along the beach. In Leiria, you just need to contact Quinta do Pinheiro Manso for that.

It'd be a crime not to take kids to one of the Portuguese restaurants or cafes where they could taste amazingly delicious desserts. Leiria is full of places able to satisfy such need. So, for fruit desserts, one should go to Permarcati Cafe, for amazingly delicious pies - to Cafe Tenda, and if the child wants to try pancakes, there is no better place than Squadra Cafe. For fantastic cakes, the whole family should head to Brunch Cafe, for pastries - to Alexmel Pastelarias and Real Padaria, and for original muffins - to Brisanorte Pastelarias.