The trick to planning an itinerary for your family is to choose attractions that entertain young people, but balance those with a few jumping museums and churchgoers (kids can marvel at art and architecture). Below are some suggestions on how to achieve this happy balance between so-called attractive adults and childrens fun.

Day 1 and 2 Lisbon: Gateway to Portugal

Arrive early in the morning, if possible, for a full day of sightseeing. After checking in at a family hotel, head to  São Jorge Castle  , crowning historic Alfama with its narrow winding streets. Allow at least an hour to visit the castle (which may remind your kids of Disney), followed by another hour of walking around the district - perhaps even momentarily getting lost in the narrow streets of Alfama.

After lunch, take your children by train to Belem suburb  ,  where the whole family will be fascinated by the extravagant  Jeronimos Monastery  . Wait an hour. This can be followed by two child-friendly attractions, the  Navy Museum, the Maritime Museum and the  National Coach Museum, the National Coach  Museum, which will also attract fascination for adults. Return to your hotel in the heart of Lisbon at night.

Day 3 Another day in Lisbon

On a very busy day, you can visit the  Lisbon Zoo in the  morning, with its 2,000 animals covering an area of 26 hectares (64 acres).  You can also rent a rowing boat for an hour or so and take your kids for a walk by the lake. Later you can visit the  Lisbon Oceanarium  , the second largest aquarium in the world. Children delight in approaching creatures such as playful penguins, sharks or sea wolves. The Oceanarium is within  Parque das Nações,  which is a virtual playground for children with toys, an interactive science museum and fairs.

In the afternoon you can visit the  Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium  , with astronomical shows throughout the day that should please the whole family. You can spend the rest of the afternoon at  Jardim da Estrela,  which is perfect for a family outing. It has duck ponds and lush flora, as well as childrens playgrounds.

Day 4 Fun at the beach along the Costa del Sol

While still based in Lisbon, you can plan Day 4 on the beach along the Lisbon Riviera. Sunny days are almost guaranteed here in July and August. A train from Cais do Sodré Station will bring you to Estoril in just 30 minutes, with continuous service to the old fishing village (now resort) of Cascais.

You can get off the train at  Estoril  and stroll through  Estoril Park  in the city center (it has been called "a corner of Africa") before getting off the beach for 2 hours or more.

After some time on the sand, take the continuous train service to  Cascais,  where you can have lunch with seafood in one of the citys accessible tavernas. Cascais is an architecturally more intriguing city than Estoril, and parents and their children can spend at least 2 hours traversing its narrow streets and strolling the cove where fishing boats buzz. Children will also be fascinated by  the Sea Museum  , with its marine artifacts and model boats.

At the end of the day, you can rent a car to  Cabo da Roca  in neighboring  Guincho  to see some of Portugals turbulent and dramatic Atlantic Ocean landscapes. After a day of sightseeing, you can drive back to Lisbon at night.

Day 5 Óbidos, Alcobaça and Nazaré

On the morning of the 5th, leave Lisbon and head north to Portugals most charming village, the walled town of  Óbidos, at  a distance of 93 km (58 miles). Again, your child may think that this medieval city, with its golden towers, crenellated battlements and ramparts, is a creation of the Disney factory. Spend 2 hours exploring the city, culminating with lunch at  Óbidos Castle  .

After lunch, continue northeast to  Alcobaça,  a distance of 38 km (24 miles). Although it is one of the grandest monuments in Portugal, and is certainly an adult attraction, children often marvel at walking through  the Santa Maria Monastery  , one of the most impressive Gothic monasteries in the country. Wait an hour to explore it.

Then head 13 km (8 miles) northwest to the fishing village of  Nazaré. Nazareth is not blessed with many family inns; Your best chance is the   6-storey Hotel Praia , overlooking the best beach in Porto.

Spend some time in the harbor, watching the fishing boats arrive at night with the catch of the day; or head to  Sítio,  the upper city, for a stroll through its narrow streets. In the early evening, a family seafood dinner is in order.

Day 6 Coimbra: Youthful Exuberance

The jewel in the crown of the three Borders, this is a city populated in part by backpackers and students (many of whom appear in medieval street costumes at night as "tuna" as their groups are called). Da Nazaré is an easy drive to the northeast, a distance of 110 km (69 miles) to Coimbra. Plan to stay here, perhaps at the   moderately priced  Hotel Astoria .

You can walk with your children through the  Old University  and dive into  the Santa Cruz Church and Monastery  , but they will probably be more interested in  Portugal dos Pequenitos  . This is "Portugal for the Little Ones", a recreation of buildings from all miniature provinces, including from windmills to castles and palaces, even an Indian temple.

Day 7 Porto: City on the Douro River

On the morning of the 7th, leave Coimbra and continue north for 116 km (72 miles) until you reach the city of Porto. Then take the family on our  tour  to  walk through the  city. After finishing, you can have lunch in one of the local taverns (most serving seafood).

After lunch, visit the  Clérigos Tower  , dating from 1754 and rising to a height of 76m. You can climb the 225 steps to the top for one of the best views of a cityscape in northern Portugal.

You can fly back to Lisbon early in the evening, or spend the night in Porto (returning your rental car, of course) and fly back to Lisbon the next morning for a straight forward connection. Flight time is about 40 minutes.

•