Lisbon with an 18 month old

[Sunglassesweather]

I've been to Lisbon once, years ago, and would love to go back with DH and DD (18 months).

What's putting me off are the hills! And how we'd get around with a pushchair. I've never really used a baby carrier. Any thoughs/experiences? Or other good city break suggestions?

I absolutely would not do Lisbon with an 18 month old. It’s not a pram friendly place. Your calves will perish.

That was my concern, but everyone says how toddler friendly the city is?!

Maybe somewhere quieter like Seville or Malaga? Or Ljubljana or Gothenberg? A lot of these places have cobbled streets so good to have a carrier as backup.

The Portuguese are amazingly welcoming to small children. Just get a lightweight foldable buggy. Use the little wooden trams and the ferniculars to get up the hill and you’ll have a great time!

Go to Cascais, it's on the coast west of Lisbon, you can get the train in (45 minutes and €2.40 each way) for a day visit. Loads to do, get the bus up to Sintra, go to the beach, historic places on the train on the way to Lisbon.

I went last March ages 29 before I got pregnant and as a fit gym going 29 year old, by the end of our trip I was TIRED of the hills. I couldn’t think of anything worse than pushing an 18 month old around. It’s a gorgeous place but I’d save a revisit for later in life. Prague is gorgeous and walkable.

Took a 2.5 year old to Lisbon. No carrier. Just a decent off road buggy (out n about nipper) zero issues. We had a nice time. Stayed in a hotel with a pool so had mornings out and afternoons poolside. She loved it.

Only minor issue was subway stations often only have stairs or lifts were out of order. But out n about bumps up and down stairs pretty easily anyway. Hills were a bit of a workout at times but fine really.

Trams were fine. We travelled at non peak times generally and slightly off season. Buggy collapsed and put in front bit. Drivers were lovely about it and no problems.

If you're that worried maybe look at a small backpack stroller and a toddler tula?

We took dd when she was the same age. I don’t remember it being a problem at all. We took the tram up to the castle, took the train to cascais and estoril. Visited the aquarium and various churches etc. Walked loads. We had a decent buggy (city mini gt) and it was not a problem at all. At that age, she walked a bit too so it’s easier pushing an empty buggy and using it to stay hands free for bags etc. Obviously need it for naps, when they get tired etc. think a carrier would be far worse but that’s just my opinion.

We went to Lisbon with our 18-month-old (now 24). We were invited into a Fado nightclub with him and had a great time!

Thanks for all the responses - tempted to give it a go!

@Sunglassesweather did you give Lisbon a go in the end? Did you find it OK navigating the hills/cobbles with a buggy? I'm asking as we are hoping to go with our toddler too.