Jardins do Palácio de Cristal

In the center of Porto, the gardens of Palácio de Cristal are the ideal place to take a stroll away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The original Palácio de Cristal was demolished in 1951 to make way for the Sports Pavilion, later christened Pavilhão Rosa Mota. From the original work, which dates back to 1860 and was designed by F.W.Shields to host agricultural and industrial exhibitions, its vast garden remains. The leafy trees, the garden beds, a lake, fountains, animals that roam freely and the little corners to discover, create the perfect environment for a long walk through these romantic gardens, while enjoying the beautiful view over the Douro. For younger visitors there is a children's area and the possibility of discovering exotic plants and animals that are unusual in a city space. You can also visit the Pavilhão Rosa Mota, a multipurpose venue that hosts both sporting events and concerts or exhibitions and the Almeida Garrett Library, a modern space with a music library, video library, art gallery and cafeteria. Quinta Tait and Quinta da Macieira (where you can visit the Romantic Museum and taste a Port at the famous Solar do Vinho do Porto) are also part of the Palácio de Cristal.