Summer, sun and holidays don’t necessarily mean going to the beach. This week we chose to visit 5 parks and gardens to take the children and enjoy the view.
Lisbon is a city that has many green spaces. Why not get to know some of these and enjoy the views of this city of the Seven Hills?
The concept of green spaces of a city covers all the urban spaces where exist plant species. These have fundamental roles, such as ecological, ludic and recreational, and the green areas are the ones that preserve the air quality and that offer the visitors areas of leisure and recreation.
Between the countless historical gardens, botanical gardens and woods, we opted for places that have fabulous views and playground equipment for children, for this summer break.
Let us then find out our options of parks and gardens to take the children and enjoy the view:
Recreational Park of Alto da Serafina
The Recreational Park of Alto da Serafina was inaugurated in 1992, it occupies an area of approximately 6 hectares and is inserted in the Monsanto Forest Park, the biggest green space of the city of Lisbon, with about 900 hectares of vast areas of diversified woods.
It is a park with many different spaces which has lots of ludic equipment for 2 to 12 year old children.
It includes a children’s driving circuit where the younger ones can ride their bicycles, scooters or roller skates, learning the basic rules of traffic. But if you prefer you can get lost in the labyrinth or venture yourselves in the Adventure Park.
Right next to it are the colourful tipis which are an attraction that marked everyone’s memory, resulting in the designation of the park, better known by the people of Lisbon, of Parque dos Índios (Park of the American Indians).
After lots of playing around, we start getting hungry and it’s time for a break. You can have a picnic in the picnic site and in the areas that are protected with shadows of trees, or a light meal in the cafeteria.
At the end of the visit you can’t leave without admiring the ample view over the city of Lisbon. From here you can see the eastern side of the Alcântara Valley, the Tagus River with the 25 de Abril Bridge and the South bank.
Location/Entrance: Estrada da Serafina, Monsanto, Lisboa
Recreational Park of Moinhos de Santana
It is situated in Restelo, in the west zone of Lisbon, really close to some iconic places, such as the Jerónimos Monastery, the Tropical Botanical Garden and the Centro Cultural de Belém.
This pleasant and well preserved park was inaugurated in 1997 and occupies an area of around 5 hectares, in one of the hillsides of the Monsanto Hills.
It stands out for the existence of two mills of the 18th century built for the Nuns of the Convent of Bom Sucesso. They were acquired by the Lisbon City Council in 1942 and later restored and integrated into the construction project of this urban park.
It has various types of equipment of children and adults, such as a playground, a skate lane, a roller rink, a fitness circuit, among others.
This place also has picnic sites and a cafeteria for those who prefer not to bring your own food.
A lake with magnificent water lilies completes the scenery.
We also have to mention the stunning panorama over Lisbon that can be contemplated next to the mills. From here you can see the zone of Belém and the Tagus River.
Since we’re near Belém, you can’t miss the pastéis de nata (egg custard tart). ☺
Location/Entrance: Rua Tristão Vaz, Lisboa
Learn how to make the famous egg tart in a cooking class with professional and friendly chefs. 🙂 Book now!
Garden of Cerca da Graça
This garden can be considered a gem within Lisbon. The visitor is surprised by the magnificent view that covers from the São Jorge Castle to Mouraria, with the Tagus River, the 25 de Abril Bridge and the Christ the King as the background.
It occupies an area of 1.7 hectares and is situated inside the fence of the old Convent of Graça. This garden, inaugurated in 2015, was the result of a project of restoration of part of the fence.
Its main role, besides its ludic function, is to connect the neighbourhoods of Graça and Mouraria. The garden can be accessed from Calçada do Monte, the Graça Viewpoint or from Rua Damasceno Monteiro.
It is a particularly pleasant, very serene space, ideal for bringing children. It has a children’s playground, a picnic area, a central lawn and a kiosk with terrace.
Location/Entrance: Calçada do Monte; Miradouro da Graça; Rua Damasceno Monteiro, Lisboa
Also get to know about the urban artworks that we’ve highlighted in Women in the Urban Art of Graça Neighbourhood.
Botto Machado Garden
It is a small enclosed garden, located in Campo de Santa Clara, next to the National Pantheon and to the site of one of Lisbon’s best-known fairs, Flea Market.
It was built in 1862, named after the Portuguese republican politician Pedro de Amaral Botto Machado, but is mostly known by the population as Santa Clara Garden.
It has several support equipment: a children’s park protected from the sun, a fitness circuit and a kiosk with terrace.
Here the view is essentially over the Tagus River, where you can contemplate the smooth movement of the boats.
We suggest you visit the Fair that takes place every Tuesday and Saturday and take a break with your children in this calm and pleasant garden, paradise in the middle of the bustle.
Location/Entrance: Campo de Santa Clara
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Amália Rodrigues Garden and Eduardo VII Park
Although the Amália Rodrigues Garden doesn’t have a playground, we don’t want to miss the opportunity of mentioning to our readers one of the most astonishing views of Lisbon.
Located in a central area that is one of the highest of the city, it occupies an area of approximately 6 hectares and consists in the extension of the famous and older Eduardo VII Park.
Its privileged situation allows two distinct opposing views, south and north. To the south, the historic centre and the river; to the north, the Avenidas Novas and Benfica.
This garden was inaugurated in 1996 with the designation of Alto do Parque and renamed in the year of 2000 in homage to the famous fado singer Amália Rodrigues.
The lack of ludic equipment doesn’t stop you from taking your children to appreciate the silence that reigns here and to introduce them to the practice of other modalities, for example, Yoga or Tai Chi.
But if a swing or a slide is indispensable to fulfil the desire of your children, we have a solution. There is a playground where the attraction is a slider and a pirate boat, very near, on the western side of the Eduardo VII Park. There is a kiosk with a terrace and a beautiful pavilion with vines to relax.
Location/Entrance: Alameda Cardeal Cerejeira; Eduardo VII Park
Follow our suggestions of parks and gardens to take the children and enjoy the view. Enjoy the company of your children and appreciate some more perspectives of this wonderful city!
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