Audio GuideTropical Botanical Garden
Jardim Botânico Tropical
Enduring botanical garden with vintage greenhouses, plus peacocks & other free-roaming birds.
Welcome to the Tropical Botanical Garden in Belém, Lisbon. Covering seven hectares, this charming garden was founded on the twenty-fourth of January, nineteen hundred and six, and was initially called the Colonial Garden by King Carlos the First. In nineteen twelve, it was relocated to its present site near the Palácio de Belém.
As you wander through the garden, you'll come across traditional greenhouses brimming with fragrant tropical and subtropical plants. More than six hundred species flourish here, including rare and endangered trees such as the dragon tree and araucaria. Listen out for the elegant calls of peacocks and the lively songs of other birds that roam freely, contributing to the garden’s vibrant atmosphere.
Discover historic structures like the Casa do Fresco, dating back to the seventeenth century, and the refined Palácio dos Condes da Calheta. Marvel at exquisite marble statues crafted by artists such as Bernardino Ludovisi and Joaquim Machado de Castro, which enrich the garden's artistic allure.
The garden has a significant connection to Portugal's colonial past, featuring plants and cultural artefacts from the era of Portuguese exploration. It was featured in the nineteen forties during the Portuguese World Exhibition and has been meticulously maintained by the University of Lisbon since two thousand and fifteen.
Modern visitors can enjoy a mobile application for the garden, providing augmented reality experiences in various languages, ensuring your visit is both engaging and educational. Accessibility features are in place to ensure all visitors can appreciate the garden's beauty and knowledge.
Whether your interests lie in botany, history, or if you simply seek a tranquil escape, the Tropical Botanical Garden offers a captivating experience. It is open every day except Christmas Day and the first of January, inviting you to explore a living legacy that celebrates both nature and culture.