In Lisboa there are plenty green areas: from urban, recreational and farm parks, to public and botanic gardens.
Be it along the riverfront, in the heart of the historic and ancient quarters, or in the viewpoints over all of downtown, there is always a bigger or smaller green spot to visit at random or in walking tracks.
On foot or by bike, alone or with friends and family, following the bike lanes, cross forests, parks and gardens, or choose to go along the riverfront from Belém to the Parque das Nações.
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Lisbon Zoo
With one of the finest collections of animals in the world (about 2,000 animals representing over 330 different species), housed in enclosures s increasingly close to the animals’ natural habitats, the Lisbon Zoo is an important and attractive recreational / educational space that combines a strong education component to entertainment and fun.
The park features a vast array of attractions that provide visitors of all ages with fun and unforgettable memories of a day well spent.
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Monsanto Forest Park
The park offers magnificent views of the capital and diverse animal and plant life, along with numerous possibilities for recreation and sport. Having been considered one of the 10 best sites in Europe for picnicking, it has an area of about 900 hectares that make up the largest green area in the city of Lisbon.
The park includes different viewpoints, the Tennis Center of Alvito and especially the restaurant-viewpoint Montes Claros, with amazing views towards the big lake and the estuary of the Tagus.
The vegetation is diverse, despite the clear predominance of stone pine, and the fauna include rabbits, squirrels, small mammals and carnivores, horseshoe bats (a species in danger of extinction) and also birds such as the robin, woodpecker, common buzzard, and many species of owls.
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Jardim da Estrela
Officially called Jardim (Garden) Guerra Junqueiro, it has marked Lisbon history by being the first “English-style”park in Portugal.
The terrain features were used to build lakes, one waterfall and cave, imitating nature, and small and beautiful fountains. With several kiosks and cafes is much appreciated for morning walks and evenings with family or friends.
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Jardim do Torel
It’s one of the most interesting and unknown green spaces in the city. It is a romantic nineteenth century garden that has large number of flower beds and quiet corners.
With a privileged view over the Liberty Avenue and its western slope, where the Miradouro de S. Pedro de Alcantara stands, it also showcases an interesting view of the Baixa and the Tagus River.
Apart from some statuary, the Garden has benches and loungers for people to rest and enjoy the landscape and the quietness of the place. In January 2010 a kiosk with terrace was installed, serving wine, with snacks, light meals and a bar service.
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Jardim da Fundação Gulbenkian
The garden of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is one of the outstanding green spaces in the city.
Designed in 1957, it includes a lake, a stream, several trails through bushes and trees, and an outdoor amphitheater where locals and tourists often take the opportunity to spend a different afternoon in the heart of the city.
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Parque das Nações
The gardens of the Parque das Nações show a careful architectural design, where water is the background theme; gardens line up along the Tagus river, in an east-west axis. The Park occupies about 400 meters.
The sequence and themes of these gardens (Glacier Garden Wave, Garcia da Orta) allow the visitor to contact with the various components of a natural water basin.
Through the display of 2300 plants representing 420 different species, the Jardim Garcia da Orta represents ten different regions of the world through its typical plants and ecosystems, with which Europeans first made contact in the Portuguese Age of Discovery.
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Eduardo VII Park and Cold Greenhouse (Estufa Fria)
The gardens of the park are extended from the top of a hill to the roundabout of the Marquês de Pombal, without ever losing sight of the river and the Avenida de Liberdade.
The cold greenhouse (Estufa Fria) has a unique atmosphere created by watercourses and artificial caves, amidst a lush and exotic plant collection.
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Sintra Cascais Natural Park
With an area of almost 17.000 hectares, the Park covers the dunes of Guincho and the Serra de Sintra, with a multitude of landscapes and environmental assets.
Along the coast, while enjoying the beauty of the dune complex Guincho and the high cliffs of Cabo da Roca and its rich Mediterranean flora, tourists can find the westernmost point of the European continent.
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Reserva Natural do Estuário do Tejo e Mar da Palha
More than 14 000 hectares of protected area constitute the largest Portuguese wetland and one of the most important in Europe. The Reserve includes a fully protected 670ha of saltmarsh and 1 500ha of sludge, being a major crossing point for migratory birds and fish.
The flamingos are concentrated here in large flocks, especially in autumn, when they are easily visible on the banks of the river, and when flying in flock provide performances of unseen beauty.
In the SW perimeter of the reserve, in the municipality of Alcochete, there are significant areas of salt marshes which are an important area for feeding, shelter and breeding of birds such as the Stilt, Redshank, Common Greenshank, Black-tailed godwit, Pied avocet, Ruff, Common ring plover and the Dunlin. The reserve can be seen north of the Vasco da Gama bridge, which connects Lisbon to Alcochete through 14 km of magnificent views over the Tagus river, the reserve and the city.
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Tapada das Necessidades
This remarkable green space adjacent to the Palácio das Necessidades has one of the oldest cactus gardens in Europe, in the place where once the Portuguese Royal Family took long walks.
The circular greenhouse is one of the existing buildings that can be visited dating back to that time.
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Tapada de Mafra
Formerly a royal hunting reserve, the Tapada de Mafra is composed of 819 hectares of protected area, with a huge variety of flora and fauna, among which roe deer, wild boar and foxes.
Only 35 km from Lisbon, we advise the booking of a guided tour to better understand end fully enjoy the space.
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Oceanarium
The Lisbon Oceanarium has just been voted the new TripAdvisor Travelers Choice awards for Zoos and Aquariums around the world as the Best Oceanarium in Europe and second best in the world. Hailed as one of the main national gems, the Oceanarium is one of the most visited places in Portugal by visitors looking for entertainment, culture and leisure.
The proximity to the marine world and its hosts, as the only two sea otters in Europe, sharks, stunning coral reefs among many other creatures, promote a unique and unforgettable experience.
Opening hours: Seasonal. Open every day.