With hot and longer days, in the summer comes an irresistible desire to have meals outside, and the best option is to spread out the towel and have a picnic. All About Portugal tells you the best places for summer picnics in Lisbon and Porto. From large green parks to small and cozy gardens, there are options for all tastes.
Grab a picnic blanket, the basket filled with delicious snacks, gather your family or friends, and you have all you need for an afternoon well spent. If you go with children, take a ball or rackets and choose a garden with a playground or animals, there will be plenty of entertainment. For a romantic picnic, choose a place with panoramic views over the river or the sea. Whichever option you choose, enjoy the natural surroundings to connect with Nature and decompress from everyday stress. Let yourself be enveloped by the quietness that summer picnics provide, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Shall we have a picnic?
Quinta das Freiras Park - Gondomar
Quinta das Freiras Park, in Gondomar, is a very pleasant urban park, with a total area of about 4.5 hectares. In addition to leafy trees and a children's playground, it has several equipments suitable for sports such as picnic tables, tennis court, street basket tables, ring and fitness circuit. The ideal place, therefore, for a very active picnic, where physical activity will be part of the fun.
Lavandeira Park - Vila Nova de Gaia
Lavandeira Park, in Vila Nova de Gaia, is one of the places par excellence for summer picnics in the Porto area. With several themed gardens, including a neo-Gothic greenhouse, a labyrinth garden, an oriental garden and the new “Around the World in 80 Days” children's theme park, it is the ideal option for a picnic with children. It is also the stage for various events, such as Yoga and Taichi.
Quinta do Covelo - Porto
Quinta do Covelo is one of the most sought after green spaces in the city of Invicta, especially for its playground, one of the most complete in the city. With eight green hectares, this former rural farm has privileged spaces for a picnic, running trails, a dog park and an Environmental Education Centre, everything you need for a wonderful family day out.
Porto City Park
The famous Porto City Park needs no introduction. With 83 hectares that extend to the sea, this is the largest urban park in the country. With wide green spaces, where small lakes with animals and small woods with paths stand out, here there is a lot of space to spread your picnic blanket. In the park, you can also visit the Pavilhão da Água and, very close by, the Sea Life Aquarium.
Crystal Palace Gardens - Porto
With the most beautiful views of the city, one could not talk about summer picnics without mentioning the magnificent Jardins do Palácio de Cristal. Dating back to the end of the 19th century, with a project by architect Emille David, in this garden you can see exotic plants, rose gardens, fountains, a lake, animals such as peacocks, ducks and chickens, area for events, a children's area and a chapel. Choose one of the points that offer wonderful views over the Douro River and lay out your towel, it will be an unforgettable picnic.
Bela Vista Park - Lisbon
Parque da Bela Vista is one of the most popular green spaces in Lisbon. Resulting from the reconversion of an old agricultural farm, it offers, from the highest areas, unique views over Lisbon and the Tagus River, where you can have your picnic. In its approximately 85 hectares, you can enjoy the picnic park, fitness circuit, multi-sports, golf course and children's playground.
Monsanto Park - Lisbon
Known as the heart of the city of Lisbon, the Monsanto Park extends over an astonishing 9,000 hectares, offering conditions for the practice of numerous activities. Here you can walk, cycle, play basketball or tennis, see different animals and, of course, have a picnic in full contact with nature. Along the park, you can enjoy fantastic views over the city, the Tagus estuary and the sea.
Estrela Garden / Guerra Junqueiro Garden - Lisbon
Also called Guerra Junqueiro Garden, Estrela Garden has existed since 1852, and was created on the initiative of the Marquis of Tomar. The vegetation is, therefore, secular with about 800 tree species and a great variety of flowers, a verdant spot that is a true refuge in the center of the city. Stroll through its bandstand, esplanade, library, greenhouse, artificial caves and lakes, then have a picnic in its picnic park.
Belém Garden / Vasco da Gama Garden - Lisboa
Located in Belém, one of the prime areas of Lisbon, the Belém Garden (or Vasco da Gama Garden, since it is a tribute to this navigator) was built at the time of the Great Exhibition of the Portuguese World, in 1940. The monuments in honor of Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral, in the form of a hydroplane stand out. With about four hectares, it has a large garden area, ideal for summer picnics.
Tapada das Necessidades - Lisbon
Right next to the Palácio das Necessidades, a magnificent monument classified as a Monument of Public Interest, the Tapada das Necessidades is one of the green spaces of choice for Lisbon residents. Among the green area of its forest, there is a greenhouse, three lakes, waterfalls, fountains and an impressive biodiversity, which will make your picnic an unforgettable event.
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