Portugal’s Parks & Gardens

The Lisbon Botanical Garden, located in the city’s central area and on one of the city’s seven hills–São Roque–is framed by several palaces and a diverse set of classified properties. It takes up five hectares of the block’s “interior,” between the Avenue of Liberty (“Avendia da Liberdade”) and the Jardim do Principe Real. The Botanical Read More

Lisbon is one of the most picturesque capitals in the world, owing to its numerous hills that provide breathtaking views from the summit. Many hilltops have been designed to be “miradouros” (viewpoints), and miradouro-hopping is a must-do activity in the city. You’ll come upon a few by chance as you wander about, but some are Read More

Eduardo VII Park, with 65 acres, is located in central Lisbon and serves as the start of a ‘green corridor’ that extends to Monsanto Park. The park’s focal point is the 0.6-kilometer (0.4-mile) central path that connects the Marquess of Pombal Statue (off Av. de la Liberdade) to the summit, which has Portugal’s biggest flag Read More

The old royal summer house of Queluz, west of Lisbon, is a popular stopover for travellers while on the way to the mediaeval town of Sintra. It is elegant and modest. It is considered one of Europe's most brilliant and shining examples of rococo architecture, and the building (along with its rambling 18th-century gardens) still retains Read More

Did you know that Portugal’s national flower is lavender? There are currently 45 different species of lavender, it is part of the mint family, and there are over 450 varieties worldwide. Although Provence in France is famous for its lavender fields, farms in Portugal’s Alentejo region grow lavender fields, including the ‘Portuguese Giant,’ a variety Read More

The Natural Park of the Northern Coastline (Portuguese: Parque Natural do Litoral Norte) is one of Portugal's thirteen natural parks. It is nestled on the Atlantic Ocean's coastlines in the municipality of Esposende. The park was established to protect the dunes and the local fauna, including birds and fish. The park has northern Portugal's longest Read More

A late eighteenth century country garden The 18th century Quinta dos Azulejos Garden is a true secret. It’s so hidden that no one’s there. And the best part: it’s not in any guidebooks. The garden is an oasis of peace and tranquillity, with the heady scent of jasmine wafting romantically in the air as an Read More

The Palace of the Marquesses of Fronteira was built in 1671 as a hunting pavilion to Dom João de Mascarenhas, 1st Marquis of Fronteira, who received his title from King Afonso VI of Portugal for his loyalty to the House of Braganza in the Portuguese Restoration War. The palace is the private residence of the Marquesses of Fronteira The palace is located in Read More

The Monsanto Forest Park is Lisbon's largest green space, a refuge of serenity, tranquilly, and quiet.   Points of interest: Aqueduct Runway | A path that leads to many vents of the Águas Livres Aqueduct, a magnificent 19th-century structure,  which previously provided water to Lisbon. Stone Park | A Buçaco cypresses-dominated region where the "crater" left Read More

What is the backstory of the Lágrimas Estate? The Lágrimas Estate is a beautiful property with 20 hectares of fertile land on the left side of the Mondego River. The natural geology of the slope is primarily limestone, making this location a rare and abundant supply of fresh water that rises at the hill's lower Read More

When most visitors think of Coimbra, images of centuries-old university halls and fado echoing from storied cafés spring to mind. But this riverside city offers layers of magic far beyond the guidebooks – a quieter side brimming with hidden gardens, poetic viewpoints, and a tapestry of stories that weave seamlessly between past and present. Wander Read More