10 must see parks in Lisbon

A sunny and stunning coastal city, Lisbon is known for its unique architecture, delicious cuisine, ancient ruins, and exceptional historic center. The city boasts historic landmarks and attractions like Belem Tower, Tile Museum, Lisbon Cathedral, St. George's Castle, and Lisbon Zoo, and it's no wonder it's a top tourist destination.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and a city where the sun shines 300 days a year, is also blessed with natural parks, forests, and large green spaces for people of all ages, visitors, and locals alike. A European Green Capital Award winner, Lisbon is one of the greenest cities in Europe, offering places to catch your breath at every corner. Whether you're looking for a small park in Lisbon City Centre to stretch your legs after a shopping spree or prefer to spend the day in one of the forests on the outskirts, prepare yourself for a day filled with fun.

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Jardim Botânico da Ajuda

A beautiful botanical garden adjacent to Palacio de Ajuda, the Jardim Botânico da Ajuda is the perfect spot to relax on a hot summer's day. Surrounded by lush landscapes and colorful gardens, the gardens were founded in 1768, making them the oldest botanical garden in Portugal. It's worth seeing whether you're a tourist or a local.

One of the garden's highlights is the 400-year-old Madeiran dragon tree. The botanical gardens are also known for their beautiful orchid and tropical flora greenhouse and the stunning views of the Ponte 25 de Abril suspension bridge. The gardens offer workshops and organize guided tours for all ages. When you're done exploring the premises, stop by the onsite shop to grab a souvenir and end your day with lunch at the Estufal Real restaurant, located within the park's grounds.

Monsanto Forest Park (Parque Florestal de Monsanto)

Lisbon is a beautiful city, but it can get busy at times. When you need to escape the city noise, head down to Monsanto Forest Park, the most peaceful place in the whole of Lisbon and also the largest park in the city. Also known as the "lung of the city," the park allows visitors to spend time in nature surrounded by 24 acres of lush eucalyptus woodlands, hiking paths, mountain bike trails, manicured lawns, and stunning landscaped gardens.

Located on a hill, the park has several lookout points offering amazing views of the city skyline. Parque Florestal de Monsanto is one of the liveliest parks in Lisbon, as it's home to many cultural activities, events, fairs, and concerts. Here, you'll also find two parks for the youngest, several recreational and picnic areas, the Monsanto municipal camping park, and Panorâmico de Monsanto, the most famous abandoned building in Lisbon. When your stomach starts growling, you can take your pick from many restaurants and cafes in the park.

Jardim da Estrela

When you want to escape city life, Jardim da Estrela provides the perfect respite. Located in Lisbon City Centre, next to the 18th-century Basilica da Estrela, is one of Lisbon's most historic landmarks. This peaceful oasis welcomes visitors looking for a place to spend a day with their kids, relax by the pond full of ducks and geese, or simply enjoy the lush green spaces and stunning gardens.

One of the park's highlights is the 19th-century wrought-iron gazebo, used as a bandstand and a popular meeting point for young people. Another of Jardim da Estrela's gems is the waterfront cafe overlooking the lake, which is the perfect spot for Sunday brunch. The park has a reserved area for dogs, so you can also bring your furry friends along to play. If you're visiting with kids, they'll enjoy the adventure playground while you explore the open-air library. Several kiosks dot the gardens, making it easy to grab some drinks and snacks. All that said, Jardim da Estrela is one of the most beautiful parks in Lisbon.

Lisbon's Botanical Garden

The main Botanical Garden of Lisbon stretches over 10 acres and is home to over 10,000 tropical and rare trees, plants, and seeds from around the world. The garden's location right next to the Parque Principe Real and the nearby Museum of Natural History makes it convenient and easy to reach. Once you get there, you'll find yourself surrounded by lush gardens and flowering trees, your peace disrupted solely by the twitter of the birds.

For a small entrance fee, at Lisbon's Botanical Garden, you can hide from the scorching heat, explore the gardens, take a guided tour, and learn a lot about plants and trees. You'll also find a few other buildings, including the National Museum of History and Science of the University of Lisbon, the herbarium, and the astronomical observatory. Lisbon's Botanical Garden is a great place for families with children as it offers plenty of educational activities. Although there's no cafe within the park, there are many places to grab a bite nearby.

Parque Eduardo VII

With 62 acres of land, Parque Eduardo VII is the largest park in Lisbon City Centre, and an excellent way to spend your day. Walking along Liberdade Avenue, it's hard to miss this vast green space that resembles a promenade with a mosaic pattern, surrounded by trees and flowerbeds, picnic areas, fountains, and walkways.

Numerous activities await you here, including a visit to the Estufa Fria greenhouse, home to various tropical and subtropical plants. Enjoy a stunning panorama of the city, and the Observation Deck with views that stretch to Tagus River. Moreover, the park features a lake, a kid's play area, and plenty of places to get something to eat. Come spring, the Parque Eduardo VII is the host of the Lisbon Book Fair, while winter visitors and locals can enjoy the Winter Wonderland Fair over Christmas.

Jardim Botânico Tropical

Jardim Botânico Tropical, one of the most beautiful parks in Lisbon, can be found in Belém, and it's a must-see no matter the season. Originally designed for scientific research, today a place for relaxing, exploring, and learning, the stunning garden boasts over 600 perennial species of tropical and exotic plants, like monkey puzzle trees, giant palm trees, figs, and more.

The 17-acre land is dotted with a few 18th-century marble sculptures and artworks from the Portuguese World Exhibition. Jardim Botânico Tropical is surrounded by the 18th-century Palacio dos Condes da Calheta, today a library, an exhibition space, and a research center of the Institute for Tropical Sciences. And that's not all! The park also features an Oriental garden, a children's playground, a lake with ducks, geese, and swans, and a butterfly greenhouse, the only of its kind in Europe open to the public. There are so many things to see and do in the Tropical Garden of Lisbon that you'll need to plan your time well ahead.

Monteiro-Mor Botanical Park

Not your typical Lisbon park but ideal for a morning stroll with stunning views, Monteiro-Mor Botanical Park has everything you need for a relaxing day out. The unique park covers an area of 27 acres and is located just outside Lisbon City Centre, near the Lumiar metro station. Originally a recreational retreat for the nobility, the Monteiro-Mor Botanical Park today is a wonderful off-the-beaten-track place to find peace and calm surrounded by lush green spaces and fountains, a French topiary garden, an English garden, orchards and woodland paths.

The park is home to a golf course and two museums: the Museum of Costumes and the National Museum of Theater and Dance, making it a fun trip for golf, theater, and history lovers. If you need some food while exploring the garden's grounds, there's a restaurant near the Theater Museum, or you can take a short walk to some of the cafes and eateries nearby.

Gulbenkian Garden

Located in the city center, just five minutes from Sao Sebastiao Metro station, is Gulbenkian Garden, one of the many Lisbon parks that are also cultural gems with plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy. A large open green space, Gulbenkian Garden covers 18 acres of land and is home to many buildings of historical and cultural importance, including the Modern Art Museum (CAM), the Art Gallery, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation's headquarters, and the Gulbenkian Museum. This modern complex of buildings became a National Monument in 2010, the first contemporary work to make an imprint on Portuguese national heritage.

The gardens feature an open-air theatre, a lake, and several sculptures by international and local artists, including the Statue of Calouste Gulbenkian. Visitors can enjoy bird watching while sipping coffee at the on-site cafe in a picturesque and peaceful setting. There are cafeterias in the museums, too, and many places to eat surrounding the gardens. This is one of the best parks in Lisbon, with various activities for people of all ages, so don't miss it!

Parque do Principe Real

If you're exploring Lisbon Botanical Garden, go to the adjacent park, which boasts lush green space, a huge cedar tree, and a Neo-Moorish-style palace. Built in 1860, Parque do Principe Real retains much of its 19th-century charm and attracts many passers-by in the Principe Real neighborhood.

Here, you can sit back and relax, breathing in the enchanting scents of magnolias and robin flowers, take a stroll and discover statues commemorating local figures, or sip coffee at the open-air cafe, watching your kids play in the designated play area. In the middle of the park is the Loreto underground aqueduct, for which guided tours are available on Saturdays only. Parque do Principe Real is more crowded during the weekends, especially on Saturdays when the organic farmer's market takes place.

Parque das Nações

If you're looking to discover modern Lisbon, the easiest way is to head down to the Park of Nations in east Lisbon. This is one of the best urban parks in Lisbon, taking up 2.10 sq miles of space on the Tagus River. Parque das Nações, often called "Expo," is not your typical Lisbon park with green spaces, tall trees, and manicured lawns. It's modern and a must-see for everyone looking to spend a fun afternoon in Lisbon.

The park has many modern architectural buildings and landmarks, including the Camões Theatre, the UFO-shaped Altice Arena, Lisbon’s Oceanarium, and the Portugal Pavillon. Hungry visitors can choose from many cafes and restaurants nearby or head to the Centro da Gama shopping mall. When in the park, check out Lisbon Oriente Station, a gothic-inspired railway station and an important transport hub in Lisbon City. Finally, if you're up for some adventure in the skies, take a cable car ride for the best panoramic views of the city, the towers of St. Gabriel and St. Raphael, the Tagus River, and Vasco da Gama Bridge.

The best parks in Lisbon to connect with nature

There's no better way to relax and clear your thoughts than a quick stop at one of the parks in Lisbon. Whether you're looking to do some cardio exercise, learn about tropical plants, have a family picnic, or just want to go on a relaxing evening stroll, parks in Lisbon have it all.

And if you're up for a bit of a challenge, Lisbon is the perfect city for hiking and trekking. For those traveling with children and looking for light activities, you can always hit one of the many beautiful beaches in Lisbon and create memories to last.