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Enjoy a moment of tranquillity in the Botanical Garden Lisbon
A quick overview
What to see? Lots of palm trees, colourful flowers, and some historical buildings.
Costs? € 5,00 for adults.
Where? In Lisbon, in the neighbourhood of Príncipe Real.
Worth it? Lisbon Botanical Garden is the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful moment to yourself. Bonus points If you like nature and gardens!
Where is the Botanical Garden Lisbon
The Botanical Garden Lisbon, or Jardim Botânico de Lisboa in Portuguese, is located in the neighbourhood of Príncipe Real. You can access the garden from the entrance at Praça do Príncipe Real. Tram 24E and bus 758 stop right at the park’s front door. Metro station Rato is also nearby, and it’s easy to reach the Botanical Garden Lisbon as the road is pretty flat. The address is: R. da Escola Politécnica 58, 1250-102 Lisboa. For more information about public transport in Lisbon, click here.
The history of the Botanical Garden Lisbon
In the mid-19th century, the Botanical Garden Lisbon was designed. It was created as a scientific garden used for teaching and researching botany at the Polytechnic School. The park was built on the top of the hill of Monte Olivete, where the Jesuit College of Cotovia was once located.
The first gardeners started planting an enormous diversity of plants from all around the world. Portugal had many colonies at the time, and many specimens were imported to the country. As Lisbon has a mild climate, many plants were successfully thriving. Since 2010, the Botanical Garden Lisbon has been a national monument. Today we can enjoy this stunning green space with many colours, smells, and peaceful moments.
Which plants and flowers can you expect to see at the Botanical Garden Lisbon
As soon as you enter the garden, you’ll notice the vast collection of different palm trees. There are more than 30 varieties of palms! Every shade of green is represented, and especially on a hot summer day, the shadow is a welcoming spot to be in. Around the enormous trees (some are 60 meters tall!), you’ll spot beautiful ornamental plants and colourful flowers. Most specimens are planted into ecological groups, and you’ll find a new surprise around every corner.
Many plants and flowers originate from countries like New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan and South America. You’ll discover the dragon tree, xerophytes such as cacti and pineapple, and marsh cypresses. Other common plants are the Ginkgo Biloba, cycads, magnolia trees, fig trees, and the ceiba crispifolia (also called the drunken tree!). This last specimen gives stunning pink flowers during the autumn.
The trees attract many birds; you’ll hear the robins, black redstarts, common sparrows, and blackbirds sing from every corner. Favourite spots for birds are the lakes Lago de Baixo and Lago do Meio.
Buildings at the Botanical Garden Lisbon
You’ll also spot some buildings in the western parts of the garden. The largest one is the Escola Politécnica, or the Polytechnic School, which is now part of the National Museum of History and Science of the University of Lisbon. The other is an old riding arena used for riding and fencing lessons. Smaller buildings are the herbarium and the astronomical observatory.
Museu Nacional História Natural e da Ciência
The Museu Nacional História Natural e da Ciência, or the National Museum of History and Science next door, is also worth a visit. There are several exhibitions with a rich collection of items that were collected since the 17th century. The main topics are zoology, anthropology, geology and botany. Tickets to the museum are sold separately, but a combination ticket is available.
Opening times of the Lisbon Botanical Garden
The garden is open daily, except during Christmas and New Year. In the summer (April 1st to September 30th), the park opens between 10 AM and 8 PM. In the winter (October 1st to March 31st), the botanical garden is open between 10 AM and 5 PM. The last admission is half an hour before closing time.
Ticket price for the Botanical Garden in Lisbon
Tickets are on sale at the main entrance on Praça do Príncipe Real and cost € 5,00 per person for the garden only. Family tickets (2 adults + 2 children under 17) are available from € 12,50. Admission on Sundays between 10 AM and 1 PM is free, and children under ten can always enter for free.
A ticket for the National Museum of History and Science costs € 6,00 per person and is also free to visit on Sundays between 10 AM and 1 PM. Family tickets for the museum are available from € 15,00.
Would you like to visit both? You pay € 8,00 per person for the museum and garden, and family tickets cost € 20,00.
If you have a Lisboa Card, you’ll receive a 10% discount on the entrance fee.
What else can you do in the neighbourhood of Príncipe Real?
Príncipe Real is a favourite neighbourhood of many, and there is plenty to see and do. Straight across from the botanical garden, you can visit Jardim do Príncipe Real, a lovely park with an enormous cypress. There is also a kiosk where you can enjoy a drink or a bite to eat. For a mesmerising view over Lisbon, you can continue walking towards Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. There is a lovely park with a fountain and a space to enjoy a drink.
Where to eat and drink in Príncipe Real?
Once the sun goes down, Príncipe Real becomes a charming area to eat and drink. For a spectacular cocktail, you can visit the slightly hidden bar Pavilhão Chinês. Inside, the place looks just like a museum, and you’re stepping back in time! Pub Lisboeta and Casa da Praia are lovely spots to enjoy a good glass of wine. If it’s time for dinner, you can enjoy a tasty meal, including a stunning view from Lost In.
For a Mexican bite to eat, Coyo Taco is a recommendation, whereas food lovers will love dinner at Restaurante Federico around the corner. This sophisticated restaurant serves beautiful wines in a vibrant bar, and your dinner is an authentic experience. When it’s time to hit Lisbon’s nightlife, you have the neighbourhood of Bairro Alto around the corner. You can have a great time here until the sun comes up.
Enjoy a € 20,00 discount on your next meal! Reserve your table with the code 8362E39E on TheFork.
Hotels in Príncipe Real
With so many lovely spots in the neighbourhood, it is no surprise that Príncipe Real is a favourite spot to stay. There are gorgeous hotels for any budget, and the central location is perfect to discover the rest of Lisbon. Bairro Alto can be very noisy at night, so you might want to avoid that. The map below shows you a number of lovely places to stay during your holiday in Lisbon!
3 Responses
First time to know about this garden and it looks amazing. Thank you for sharing its history of it. Help me prepare when visiting it soon.
The gardens are breathtaking! I’ve heard Portugal is a beautiful place to visit. Maybe someday….!
I love visiting gardens and this is an awesome idea that people usually skip. Looks pretty and relaxing..