Covering an area of 900 hectares, the Flower park of Monsanto, or “Parque Florestal de Monsanto”, is Lisbon’s biggest green area.

Being of such large proportions it is not difficult to forget while walking through one of the park’s many green zones that you are still inside such a big city.

A look back at the park’s history tells us that a plan arose to build such a place on the Monsanto sierra in 1868, in order to provide an area where the inhabitants of Lisbon could enjoy nature. However, it was not until 1934 that Duarte Pacheco went ahead with the project. The work to plant trees and create the park in an area that had barely any vegetation at all in 1930, was carried out by agricultural workers and convicts.

Strolling through the park it is possible to smell the eucalyptus in the air, step on the fallen autumn leaves of banana trees and marvel at the strength of the oaks, slim cedars and twelve species of orchids that have been identified here.

The rich eco-system of the park is a world of surprises if you consider the wide variety of animals that live within: species of reptiles, amphibians and up to seventy types of bird have all come to make the park their home. This wide green space provides habitat to animal species that would never survive in the city, and is a popular resting site for migratory birds.

This park is a world of sound where birds of prey hunt for food as the sun goes down, thus playing their part in the cycle of the eco-system. At night you will hear the piercing screech of owls as they hunt their prey.

Bats, shrews, squirrels and mice are just some of the mammals that live in the park.

Apart from its attractive landscape and wealth of flora and fauna, the park also provides visitors with areas for leisure and recreation. There are many sports facilities, tennis courts, an amphitheatre and a riding centre. Lisbon’s camp site is also located in this lovely zone.

If you are still in need of more things to do, walks, open-air activities, theatrical plays, restaurants, fairs, concerts and exhibitions are all on offer here too.

Enjoy the smells, colours and sounds, the thousand and one different shades of green and views over the southern bank of the Tajo, 25th of April bridges and statue of Christo Rei. This park is definitely well worth a visit.