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Where to find blossom and jacarandás in Lisbon
A quick overview
What to see? Flowers!
Costs? Besides visiting the botanic gardens, watching the blossom is free.
Where? The streets of Lisbon
Worth it? If you like seeing Lisbon at its most vibrant, this is the time!
Lisbon in spring
Hurrah! The sunny days are around the corner! And that means Lisbon is slowly changing into one of the most colourful cities in Europe. The many parks, trees and flowers transform the city into a vibrant and picturesque decor. Let’s look at where you can find the most blossoms in Lisbon in spring!
Tip: read this guide with the best parks and gardens in Lisbon! They are great to visit during any season!
Visit the botanical gardens in Lisbon
Lisbon has two beautiful botanical gardens; one in Belém and one in Príncipe Real. Jardim Botânico de Lisboa consists of exotic plants and over 30 varieties of palms! The magnolia trees and many other species will bloom, and you can combine your visit with the National Museum of History and Science next door. The Tropical Botanic Garden in Belém contains many plants, flowers and trees from former Portuguese colonies. Both gardens are a little oasis of peace in the bustling city centre.
Get a 10% discount with Lisboa Card to visit the botanical gardens!
Where to spot the jacarandás in Lisbon?
Jacarandás are beautiful trees with purple flowers. You’ll see them all over Lisbon in spring, and their branches are like a purple canopy. The jacarandás originated from Brazil, India and Africa and were brought back to Portugal during colonial times. They were planted in Jardim Botânico d’Ajuda by Felix Avelar Brotero, who brought the trees back from Brazil. The Jacaranda Mimosifolia is one of the most beautiful trees blooming in the Portuguese capital. They will bloom around the end of May, and the blossom lasts for about three weeks to one month. But where do you go to see them?
When you visit the flea market Feira da Ladra in Alfama (every Tuesday and Saturday), you’ll discover some jacarandás in the Botto Machado Garden next to the market. You’ll also enjoy purple beauty at Rossio Square, Parque Eduardo VII and the nearby Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca. Or visit Rua Almirante Barroso and Av. Dom Carlos I to take some pics of these beautiful flowers. Belém is another spot where plenty of jacarandás are blooming. You can even frame the Belém Tower surrounded by flowers from Av. da Torre de Belém! Other places include Museu Nacional de Arte Antiga, Avenida das Descobertas, Avenida 24 de Julho, Largo do Carmo (next to the Carmo Convent), Jardim de São Pedro de Alcântara, and Largo de Rato.
Bougainvilleas in Lisbon
Another Lisbon favourite is the bougainvillaeas. They flower from spring to autumn and come in all sorts of colours! Red, white, purple, yellow… you name it! One of the most remarkable places to see them is at Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Alfama. Philibert de Commerson found the plant in Brazil and then gave them to Napoleon’s first wife, Joséphine de Beauharnais. The plant, however, was honoured in the name of Louis-Antoine de Bougainville. They grow all over Southern Europe, including Portugal. The bougainvillaea makes for a fantastic backdrop for some pictures!
Besides Miradouro de Santa Luzia, you’ll discover bougainvillaea all over Lisbon. For example, one of the most stunning scenes is at Chafariz d’El-Rei, a gorgeous hotel in Alfama! This neighbourhood boasts lots of bougainvillaeas, so go for a walk and discover these spectacular scenes.
Get your pictures taken with the blossom
With many more trees and flowers blossoming in Lisbon’s streets, the city turns into a fabulous place to take pictures every year. During a private photo shoot in Lisbon, you can set your preferred times and location to be photographed with the flowers. Group tours are available most days through the streets of Alfama. For more information, please check the photo shoot in Lisbon options available to you.
Book your spot
Conclusion
Lisbon in spring is a colourful time of year. From bougainvillaeas to purple jacarandás, and many beautiful species in between. It’s a great time to have some pictures taken of you with these stunning backdrops in the capital! The climate in Lisbon is lovely, and the days are not too warm. The beaches in Lisbon slowly fill up, and the nights are getting longer. Will you visit Lisbon this spring?
Tip: read more about winter in Lisbon or autumn in Lisbon too!
17 Responses
Wow! This place looks like an absolute dream! The photos are amazing too! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks, Whitney! I love it when the colours start popping!
Your photos are absolutely beautiful! I was thinking of taking a city break in the next couple of months and I think Lisbon has gone to the top of my list!
Ah, thanks, Leah! In two months, Lisbon will be a flower paradise! You´ll love it, I´m sure! Let me know if you need a hand with your planning or your trip!
I love the colours of those trees and flowers! Absolutely stunning 🤩
So pretty, right? I love spring!
So many beautiful colors! I would love to visit Lisbon one day!
I hope you get to visit Brittney!
Thanks for sharing these beautiful pics of Lisbon. My fav was Hotel Chafariz d’El-Rei. Beautiful building.
I walk by Hotel Chafariz d’El-Rei very often, and I would just book to stay the night hahaha it`s so pretty!
We have such great memories of Lisbon in spring. It was the first time I saw purple jacarandas and I was hooked. I need to go looking for bougainvillaeas for all that colour. Definitely need to head to the botanical garden on our next trip.
The jacarandas are so beautiful! I keep taking pictures!
I can’t wait for my Spring visit to Lisbon. The botanical gardens would be a great place to visit at the time of the year. Also, Jacaranda’s flowers must turn the city into a magical land. The pictures remind me of the sprint time in Bangalore, India. That city is filled with Jacaranda and Bougenvilla trees.
I was on the Iberian peninsula in the summer and saw many bougainvilleas in Spain and Portugal. The flower colour really highlights the white washed and stucco coloured buildings
Lisbon is one of my favourite cities!! I would love to go back and visit all the blossoms 🙂
I didn’t realise how picturesque Lisbon is! I’ll have to visit these places for a future trip! Thanks for all your recommendations.
It would be lovely if you can come to visit! Especially in spring!