In a city that’s never silent, we’re blessed with having so many parks. It’s the perfect way to escape traffic, construction work and a lot of tourists – something that Lisbon has to deal with every day (and so do we). But on a sunny summer day, even parks can be overcrowded. If you really need a moment of peace and silence (we totally get you), the botanical garden in Belém is the place to go! In this blog we’ll tell you everything about this magical place.
About Jardim Botânico Tropical
The Tropical Botanical Garden in Belém opened on January 25, 1906, following a Royal Decree by King Carlos I. The garden was founded to study and cultivate plants from tropical regions under Portuguese control, such as exotic plants Lisbon from Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
However it served as a scientific and educational hub for colonial agriculture for a long time, it’s now offering visitors a chance to explore tropical flora. The Tropical Botanical Garden in the heart of Belém is a wealthy oasis of exotic flora and rich history.
The Jardim Botânico Tropical boasts a diverse collection of nearly 600 species, primarily tropical and subtropical plants from former Portuguese colonies, alongside some temperate varieties. The botanical garden is the place to go if you’re a nature enthusiastic and you love to learn more about plants – or just want a moment to breathe.
The botanical garden is home to many peacocks
If you’re an animal lover like us, the botanical garden is also definitely worth a visit. Visiting the botanical garden in mid summer is extra special, because there will be a lot of baby peacocks! Be careful though if you visit the garden in mating season (spring), since the peacocks can be a little wild, haha.
Good to know: dogs are not allowed in Jardim Botânico Tropical, since the garden is home to a lot of peacocks and other animals, like many types of ducks, chickens and cats. Also the employees can be very strict when you take feathers or flowers from the garden – even if you find them on the ground, fallen from a tree.
In the botanical garden in Belém, it’s about being respectful to nature and all the animals living there – something we also find really important. In return, you can enjoy a quiet moment surrounded by the most beautiful trees, flowers and tropical plants. Spending time in this garden is nothing but peaceful. We highly recommend it!
The botanical garden in Belém is the perfect place to read and have a delicious pastéis de nata.
Cafés and restaurants in the botanical garden
Since the botanical garden in Belém doesn’t have a cafe or restaurant, it’s smart to bring a snack and a drink – especially on a hot summer day. Luckily there’s many places in Belém where you can get something.
If you love pastéis de nata (the traditional Portugese custard cakes) just as much as we do, you’re in the right place. There’s many places around the botanical garden where you can get one – or two, as you prefer ;-).
The best pastéis de nata place in Belém
Although you’re probably likely to go to the famous café Pastéis de Belém, our personal favorite is Fábrica de pastéis de nata – which is also super close to the garden.
The ones from Fábrica de pastéis de nata are super soft on the inside and always sold fresh out of the oven. And the best thing: there’s never a line – since all tourist guides recommend tourists to try the original Pastéis de Belém!
How to enter the botanical garden in Belém
Address: Largo dos Jerónimos – Belém, 1400-209, Lisboa
How to get there with public transport: Take tram 15E from downtown Lisbon (Praça do Comércio or Cais do Sodré) or bus line 728, 714, 751 or 727 and get off at the Jerónimos Monastery stop (right next to the garden).
Ticket prices: Adults – €5, Children under 10 years – Free, Family/group of 4 – €12,50. As a student or senior you’ll get a discount.
More fun things to do in Belém
A visit at the botanical garden in Belém is perfect to combine with other activities in Belém, like visiting the famous Jerónimos Monastery, the tower of Belém or the National Coach Museum. When in Belém, you’ll also have to see the impressive Padrão dos Descobrimento at the waterside. This is a large stone monument to the Portuguese explorers, erected on the banks of the Tagus River in 1960.
Have you already visited the botanical garden in Belém?
