Lisbon is an historical city, full of excitement and famous for its generous locals and great food. The city is just great if you love walking tours, amazing nightlife experiences but also if you love to escape from city life to nature. Check out my list of the best free parks to visit in Lisbon:
Parque Florestal de Monsanto
Parque Florestal de Monsanto is definitely my favourite park in Lisbon. It’s the biggest (900 hectares – 10% of the total area of Lisbon) and one of the most beautiful parks I have ever been so far. Monsanto has an amazing natural environment with incredible views over the city. There are great hiking tracks – that really take you through the woods, lots of bicycle routes and many places to have quiet picnics and BBQs (be aware that it’s not allowed to BBQ during the Summer months).
One of my favourite areas in the park is the Keil do Amaral viewpoint, a place where everyone gets together to enjoy the amazing view over the river and have a BBQ with friends and family.
Until the XX century, this entire area was covered by crops and pastures for cattle and only in the 1930s the Parque Florestal de Monsanto was actually projected. It took several years to achieve the current configuration, but quickly became one of the local’s favourite spots and the most important green area in Lisbon.
Panorâmico de Monsanto is one of the spots you should not miss out while visiting Monsanto. This was once a luxury restaurant, nightclub, office space and warehouse. Now, it’s an abandoned building filled up with amazing street art gratify and a breathtaking 360° over the city.
Parque Eduardo VII
Parque Eduardo VII is located next to the emblematic Marques de Pombal square. The name of the park came after a visit of King Edward VII of England to reaffirm the long alliance between England and Portugal. It was projected in the XX century as neo-classical monumental garden surrounded by grass and long sidewalks.
I really like to go here because it feels very calm and spacey, especially from above. There you have a nice view over downtown Lisbon and the river. On the right side of the park, from down the hill, there are tables and benches under the shade of trees, which is very nice to relax on those hot summer days. On the left side, you will find an amazing tropical greenhouse “Estufa Fria” – entrance is €3,10.
Jardim Amália Rodrigues
Jardim Amália Rodrigues lays just a little bit above Parque Eduardo VII, but it has an environment on its own. It’s a great place to sit on the grass, read a book or just relax. It has a huge amphitheater which faces the Marques de Pombal square and the Tejo river. Here you will also find a small restaurant with terrace where you can have lunch or a snack.
Jardim da Estrela
Jardim da Estrela was inspired by the romantic English gardens of XIX century. It’s official name is Jardim Guerra Junqueiro, but it’s more famous as Estrela, by the neighbourhood that names it.
It’s in front of one of most charismatic monuments in Lisbon, the Basílica da Estrela and became an integral part of the recreational activities in Lisbon.
They take very good care of the park and it’s open everyday from 07:00 to 24:00. It’s full of exotic plants and trees, two children playgrounds, a pond with ducks, two kiosks and the iconic iron bandstand that remains active until today. If you love to shop handmade products you should visit Jardim da Estrela during the weekend.
Gulbenkian Garden
Built in the 1960s, the Garden of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is one of the most emblematic gardens of the Portuguese modernist movement and an icon of the landscape architecture. The Gulbenkian Garden surrounds the Calouste Gulbenkian Art Museum and is located next to Praça de Espanha. When I first moved to Lisbon, I lived two blocks away and used to come here quite often to relax. It’s the perfect escape from the busy city life. Once you are inside you feel completely away from city bustle and don’t even the notice all the cars driving around you.
The Gulbenkian Garden was projected with different ambiances and an open-air amphitheater surrounded and partly covered by nature. There are adorable waterfalls, a small lake with grass all around and quiet places to read. This used to be my favourite place to go to relax or read a good book.
Jardim do Torel
Jardim do Torel is located on the hill above the exquisite Avenida da Liberdade. It opened up in the 1960s and has a wonderful view over the city and the downtown area. In order to reach this city hideaway, you can climb up the hill or take Lisbon’s oldest funiculars “Elevador do Lavra”.
Jardim do Torel has a small area where you can lay and relax on the grass, under the tree shades. On the lower terrace you will find a bar where you can have a drink and a small bite. There’s also a huge fountain that, if you believe it or not, was even used as a swimming pool. During summer they also have outdoor events where locals enjoy the sunset with live music and a cold beer.
Jardim do Campo Grande
Jardim do Campo Grande is a beautiful rectangular garden in the neighbourhood of Campo Grande. It’s the biggest garden in Lisbon with over 1.2 km long and 200 meters wide. Since the beginning of XIX century that is used by locals and it was fully renovated in 2018, with even a McDonalds with Drive In.
Jardim do Campo Grande is full of excitement and ideal for everyone! There are walking routes, a lake where you can rent a paddle boat, children playgrounds, paddel courts and enough places to lay down on the grass and enjoy the amazing environment that you are in.
