In this article we’re going to take you to some incredible places in Lisbon that you didn’t even know were so close to you, either in the city or on the outskirts.
They are places that, due to their majestic and lofty appearance and, in some cases, secret and well-hidden in the middle of the capital, will leave you dazzled the first time you visit them.
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Monserrate Park and Palace
Built in 1856 to serve as a summer residence for Francis Cook, Monserrate Park and Palace is one of the most incredible creations of romanticism , and one of our favorite incredible places in Lisbon.
The interior reveals elegant and lavish spaces, such as the Gallery (the corridor that connects the palace’s three towers), the music room, the dining room and the library.
Surrounding the palace, Monserrate Park is home to a remarkable botanical collection with species from all over the world, which blend in with the native vegetation over 50 hectares.
Highlights include the Valley of Ferns, from New Zealand and Australia, and the Valley of Mexico, with artificial lakes and a huge araucaria tree over 45 meters high.
Address: Sintra
Tropical Botanical Garden
The Tropical Botanical Garden was founded over a century ago, in 1912. It is located next to the Jerónimos Monastery and, over the years, has been called the Colonial Garden, the Overseas Garden and the Tropical Agricultural Garden.
Its seven hectares are home to more than 500 species of flora, most of which are of tropical or subtropical origin.
One of the must-sees is undoubtedly the Macau Garden, where you’ll find other landscape elements and oriental sculptures.
Address: Travessa Ferreiros a Belém 41 (Belém)
Alentejo House
We’ve already written about this house here, and our fascination with the architecture remains.
If you walk by the Coliseu dos Recreios, you can’ t imagine what’s on the other side of the entrance door to this space, one of the incredible places in Lisbon that you really must visit.
Suddenly, you’re in the Arab courtyard of a Moroccan rihad, the bathrooms look like they’re straight out of an opera house and the vegetation is from a tropical country.
But we won’t spoil the surprise for you, because this is one of those must-see places in the city.
Address: Rua das Portas de Santo Antão 58 (Baixa)
Tapada das Necessidades Garden
This garden is located in the Alcântara area, very close to the National Museum of Ancient Art, the Orient Museum and the Puppet Museum, and therefore close to several places of interest and must-sees.
Right next to the Tapada das Necessidades Garden is an 18th century palace, which means that these lands were once trodden by monarchs, people who, in themselves, needed a lot of space to think about our destinies.
The garden has plenty of space for many people and you can also enjoy a fountain, a waterfall, exotic vegetation and all the shade of Lisbon.
Address: Calçada Necessidades (Alcântara)
Vila Berta
Lisbon has many workers’ villages, but Vila Berta, built in 1902 , is one of our favorites.
It began as a home for the family and friends of its designer, Joaquim Francisco Tojal. It was therefore a space associated with the bourgeoisie, although the lower floors were reserved for workers’ accommodation.
The iron balconies on the upper floors are the most distinctive detail of this villa.
Address: Graça
Fernandina Walls
There are a few areas in Lisbon where you can see the Fernandine walls, but none like the Corpo Santo Lisbon Historical Hotel, near Cais do Sodré.
At the time of its construction, parts of this wall were discovered, which were then preserved and used to decorate the hotel.
Today it has been converted into a living and leisure room for the exclusive use of hotel guests. It is undoubtedly one of the places we most enjoyed being in, unique and with the smell of history.
Address: Largo do Corpo Santo 25
Águas Livres Aqueduct
You may have heard of this aqueduct and the Water Museum that supports it, but did you know that you can take a tour inside the aqueduct itself? It’s brutal!
The Águas Livres Aqueduct was built between 1731 and 1799 and has been classified as a National Monument since 1910. It is considered a remarkable work of hydraulic engineering, given the time at which it was designed.
This system is made up of several sections, the main one, 14 kilometers long, starts at Mãe de Água Velha, in Belas, and ends at the Mãe de Água das Amoreiras reservoir, in Lisbon.
Address: Calçada da Quintinha 6
Picoas metro station inspired by Paris
We love our metro stations in Lisbon, but have you ever noticed that one of the entrances to the Picoas metro station has a Parisian feel to it?
The entrance to the Picoas Metro at Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo and Rua Andrade Corvo is just like the one at Cité Station in Paris!
The work was a gift from the French to Lisbon in 1995, and is a replica of the work of the famous Hector Guimard, a great name in Art Noveau, a style so present in Paris!
Address: Avenida Fontes Pereira de Melo with Rua Andrade Corvo