It’s Spring time! Discover the best outdoor spaces in Lisbon
calouste gulbenkian foundation garden in lisbon

With spring coming, longer days and more pleasant temperature, begins the time of the afternoon with friends and the will to get out of the house increases.
To make your Spring even more special, we’ll bring you some suggestions of outdoor locations in Lisbon:

Gardens

Sunny days remind us of walks and picnics, but also outdoor readings and meetings with friends. You can do all this, and more, in one of the beautiful gardens of the capital. Follow our suggestions and enjoy the surrounding natural beauty:

  • Tropical Botanical Garden – It was classified as a National Monument and occupies a total area of seven hectares. It is located in the monumental area of Belém, next to the Jerónimos Monastery, and has a vegetal heritage specializing in tropical flora, with about 600 plants originating from several continents.
  • Cerca da Graça Garden – It is the largest green space of public access in the historic area of Lisbon and one of the most recent in the capital. The garden has three belvederes, a zone with picnic park, an orchard and a playground, to entertain the youngest.
  • Marquês de Pombal Palace Garden– If you prefer a quieter environment, this is the right place. In this French influence garden and situated in Oeiras, the most common is staying near a tree and enjoying the surrounding tranquility, where you can also admire tile panels, sculptures, waterfalls and fountains.
  • Quinta of the Conchas– It is the third largest green spot in Lisbon, with 26 hectares of garden. Here there is no shortage of space to extend your towel, enjoy the sun and enjoy your book. This garden also has a picnic area, allowing you to enjoy your meals comfortably.

Esplanades and terraces

Good company is an important part of a pleasant meal. Adding to this an incredible view of the city of Lisbon, you may “get the perfect scenery.
To make this possible, we have prepared some suggestions of terraces and esplanades in the Portuguese capital:

  • Portas do Sol kiosk– Feel like a true Lisboeta in this sunny terrace and enjoy the landscape of the city. The Portas do Sol Kiosk is one of the most traditional spaces of the city and the best viewpoint to see the sunrise and the sunset. It operates as a restaurant/cafe/bar and is located in the Castle of St. George.
  • Topo Chiado – It consists of a series of terraces in Terraços do Carmo, in the form of levels. Here you can enjoy an author’s meal, a delicious brunch, or simply settle on one of the loungers and read a book quietly.
  • Terraço Limão Bar – The view over the Tagus, and the Baixa Pombalina, as well as the picturesque blue and white floor characterize this terrace of the hotel H10 Duque de Loulé. Sip a drink while listening to fado (which happens weekly on Fridays) or jazz and pop (available every Saturday).
  • Menina e Moça– Situated on the bustling Rua Nova do Carvalho, in Cais do Sodré, this bar-bookstore was created with the objective of abstracting you from the din of the city streets. Take time to read while you snack.

Viewpoints

Because we think that you are still not convinced about the views of Lisbon, we have some suggestions of viewpoints for you:

  •  Padrão dos Descobrimentos– The building that pays homage to the Portuguese discoverers offers a 360-degree landscape over the riverine area, allowing you to see eight emblematic monuments of the capital.
  • Graça Viewpoint– The official name of this viewpoint, situated in Largo da Graça, is Miradouro Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen. It is one of the favorite sights of the painters, by the panorama of the roofs and buildings of the city.
  • Santa Justa Elevator – This is the viewpoint that defies anyone with vertigo. It transports passengers from Baixa to the ruins of Carmo Church and the view is so real that it gives us the feeling of floating above Lisbon.
  • Arco da Rua Augusta Viewpoint– It has only four years of existence, but is already one of the attractions of the Portuguese capital. On one side, you can enjoy the Praça do Comércio and, on the other, the Rua Augusta and the entire Baixa Pombalina.

If the time is short or you can´t take great walks, take a Tuk Tuk and opt for the Lisbon Hills or Lisbon Big Overview tour. This motorized tricycle takes you to the best viewpoints in the capital.