There are accommodations where after the first evening you know: I'll recommend this to everyone I know. The Noah Surf House on Portugal's Silver Coast was exactly such a place for us. We were there with a toddler and a baby – so not exactly in the most relaxed travel phase – and yet it was one of the most uncomplicated and beautiful family holidays we had experienced up to that point.

In this article, I'll tell you why the Noah Surf House is so child-friendly, what to expect there, and for whom a stay is particularly worthwhile. You can also find more general tips for traveling with children in Portugal in our article Portugal with Kids.

Where is the Noah Surf House located?

The Noah Surf House is located in Santa Cruz on Portugal's Silver Coast, less than an hour north of Lisbon, directly opposite Praia da Física beach. From here, it's just a few steps to the sand – ideal if you're traveling with small children and don't want to walk forever with a stroller, umbrella, and diaper bag. Peniche and Ericeira, two well-known surf spots, are also just a short drive away, should you want to explore further during your stay.

Why the Noah Surf House is so child-friendly

At first glance, the Noah Surf House looks like a stylish surfer hideaway for young, cool travelers, with bohemian decor, lots of upcycled decorations from old fishing boats and nets, plus a rooftop bar and infinity pool. But that's exactly what surprised us: Despite this laid-back surf vibe, the Noah Surf House is incredibly well-designed for families with small children.

We stayed in one of the bungalows scattered around the property. These offer significantly more peace and privacy than the rooms in the main building – perfect if the baby and toddler need to go to bed early, while you yourself want to sit on your own terrace for a bit longer. Some bungalows even have their own small kitchen, which is incredibly practical with a baby if you quickly need to warm up baby food or prepare a bottle.

What the Noah Surf House offers for families

The Noah Surf House is built on several levels and offers an astonishing amount for such a compact area:

• Beach proximity: Just a few steps across the road, and you're on the sand
• Pool & Rooftop Jacuzzi: A solar-heated infinity pool and a rooftop jacuzzi with sea views – great for the whole family
• Skatepark & Trampolines: An absolute highlight for slightly older siblings; our toddler mostly enjoyed watching.
• Organic Garden: Its own vegetable garden supplies the restaurant with fresh ingredients
• Fire pits in the evening: In the evenings, everyone gathers around the fire, creating a wonderfully relaxed, family-like atmosphere.
• Sustainable concept: Upon arrival, you receive reusable water bottles, which we thought was really cool

Dining with children at Noah Surf House

The restaurant in the main building, with its lounge character and stunning sea views, was surprisingly relaxed for us with small children. The kitchen is open to individual requests. Breakfast, which offers many fresh, local ingredients, could also be easily adapted for a toddler. If you wish, you can also use the communal kitchen to prepare something for the little ones yourself.

Surfing with children – even if your own are still too young

The Noah Surf House is primarily known for surf families, and older children can take surf and SUP lessons here. With a baby and toddler, we weren't in the surfing phase ourselves yet, but just the atmosphere – boards everywhere, salty air, people walking barefoot through the house – completely captivated us. For us, it was exactly the right place to experience a bit of this surf lifestyle as a young family, without having to hit the waves ourselves.

Good to know: Practical information for your visit

• Location: Santa Cruz, Silver Coast Portugal, approx. 1 hour from Lisbon, the Dinopark nearby was an absolute highlight for our eldest
• Accommodation types: Rooms in the main building or private bungalows, some with their own kitchen
• For families: Bungalows with more peace and privacy are recommended
• Facilities: Infinity pool, rooftop jacuzzi, skatepark, trampolines, organic garden, fire pit
• Catering: Restaurant with fresh, local ingredients, communal kitchen available for use
• Arrival: Approx. 50-minute drive from Lisbon airport

Our conclusion

The Noah Surf House showed us that a stylish surf hotel and a relaxed family holiday with a baby and toddler don't have to be a contradiction. The combination of proximity to the beach, peace in our own bungalow, and the laid-back, child-friendly atmosphere made our stay a real highlight of our trip to Portugal. If you're looking for accommodation that combines design, nature, and family-friendliness, this is the perfect place.

You can find more tips for your family holiday in Portugal in our article Portugal with Kids.

To Noah Surf House