There are more and more people in the city, but what is great for many, namely the restaurant and service sectors, for many the days are very stressful in transport and on the streets. But we’ve found some refuges where you can escape the hustle and bustle and relax.
It is precisely for those who suffer from an increasingly hectic daily life that we have created a list of places where you can take refuge to relax and get away from the main arteries of the city.
We can’t guarantee that, in the meantime, some of these refuges will be “invaded” by other visitors who need to escape the stress of the city, but for the time being they are still places that few people choose to meditate, read a book or go on a date.
So, while the city continues to receive even more tourists, make the most of it just for yourself in these “hidden” places.
1 – Patio next to the Tower of São Pedro, in Alfama
Not far from Porta de Alfama, a three-minute walk along Rua de São Miguel, is a very interesting resting point in this neighborhood: the Torre de São Pedro, the perfect place to rest while you wander the narrow streets and alleys of Alfama.
2 – Largo da Achada, in Mouraria
At the risk of this little paradise being “invaded” by many curious onlookers, we can’t remain indifferent to one of Lisbon’s most attractive spots, where you can stop for a while to take a break from touring the Mouraria neighborhood.
Largo da Achada is just behind the Church of São Cristóvão, next to one of the oldest houses in the city, with doors and windows that are very hard to find in Lisbon today.
3 – Escadinhas de São Cristóvão, also in Mouraria
Gone are the days when the Escadinhas de São Cristóvão were invaded every day by hundreds of tourists, who took photos to post on social media.
Today it’s much quieter and, if you’re lucky, you’ll even find someone playing a box guitar there, adding to the pleasure of relaxing in this typical part of the city.
There are two ways to visit the Escadinhas de São Cristóvão: to go up them, from a small tunnel located on Rua da Madalena, where Livraria do Simão, one of the smallest bookshops in the world, is located ; or, to go down them, in our opinion the best way to enjoy them, from Rua and Largo de São Cristóvão, right in front of the church of the same name.
4 – Garcia d’Orta Gardens, in Parque das Nações
Located in the riverside area, more precisely in Parque das Nações, between the Vasco da Gama Tower and the Altice Arena, these gardens are authentic refuges in Lisbon, made up of several plots representing the exotic and tropical botany of countries linked to the Portuguese Discoveries, such as Timor, São Tomé or Brazil.
Inside these gardens we’re sure you’ll find your place of refuge away from the stress of the city and, as they’re covered with many trees, there’s always shade for the hottest days.
5 – Jardim das Ondas and Jardins da Água, next to the Lisbon Oceanarium
The Jardim das Ondas and Jardins da Água, both located very close to the Lisbon Oceanarium and the Tagus River, have more than enough space to accommodate many people, without them being close to each other.
Both gardens are on this list because, whenever we pass by, there is no one there, which is perfect for your well-deserved rest away from the stress of this part of the city.
6 – Gulbenkian Gardens, in the center of Lisbon
These are probably among the gardens in Lisbon with the most “couples” per square meter, proving to be one of their favorite hideaways.
Perhaps it’s because of the privileged location, right in the center of the city, but also because of the beauty and tranquillity of the space, not to mention the many hidden nooks and crannies that invite courtship.
7 – Parque dos Moinhos, in Restelo
The entire park is a veritable amphitheater with several green spaces, a lake and a viewpoint overlooking the Tagus that will leave your jaw dropped.
And, at the top of the hill, there’s a huge leisure area where the two large windmills are located.
Because it’s so huge, we’re sure you’ ll find a “corner” where you can relax in peace and quiet.
8 – Estufa Fria, in Parque Eduardo VII
This is a place that appeals to all types of couples: while the cold greenhouse cools down the more heated ones (sometimes you have to lower the temperature, don’t you?), the hot greenhouse helps to warm up any relationship.
Naughtiness aside, in the Cold Greenhouse the vegetation is luxuriant, with plants from all over the world, making this garden one of the most romantic and exotic in Lisbon, as if it were an authentic oasis in the center of the city and, therefore, one of our favorite refuges in Lisbon.
9 – Miradouro da Penha de França, near Arroios
This is one of Lisbon’s most unknown viewpoints, and one of our favorites for watching the planes land and take off from the city’s airport… and also as a refuge in Lisbon.
It’s next to the Church of Nossa Senhora da Penha de França (in the square of the same name) and allows you to reach not only the Tagus and the historic area, but also another side of the city, such as the neighborhoods of Chelas, Marvila or Olivais.
The view is quite unobstructed, even if it’s not 360°, which will still allow you to see this phenomenon without too much trouble.
10 – Miradouro do Jardim do Recolhimento
You may know most of the viewpoints in Lisbon (we’re one of the cities in the world with the most viewpoints of this type), but there are some that you may have missed, and this one, near the São Jorge Castle, may be one of them , proving to be one of Lisbon’s incredible hideaways.
The Miradouro do Jardim do Recolhimento is rarely visited because the lack of signposting at the site means that few foreigners (and even locals) know about it. We’ll show you how to get there.
So it’s time you paid it a visit to see if it really is as we told you: quiet and very peaceful.
