Portugal is often called a garden by the sea - with its green mountains, open plains, and fertile river valleys it is not hard to see why. But with more than 1,000 years of romantic garden history, from the Roman, to the Moors, to the Renaissance, Portugal offers the visitor some of the most romantic and compelling green spaces in Europe today. Portugal is full of luscious gardens from north to south, where visitors can catch a cool breeze on the warmest of days and, possibly, learn the secrets of Portugal's history. Here on paths you can discover not only places of legend and myth, but also a mix of trees, paths and architecture that are unique. Below are a few interesting suggestions:
Bussaco forest, perched on a mountain above the spa town of Luso is such a place. This ancient Carmelite monastery has been protected, and it mountaintop forests have been protected by law since the 17th century. Today guests can dine and relax in regal luxury. And, the miles of paths in the forests meander past centuries of trees, baroque sculpture, and lakes and waterfalls. In the Bussaco forest visitors can stay at what was once a palace for the King of Portugal. Now it is a luxury hotel and the gardens surrounding the hotel are a national park. Miles of pathways meander through baroque sculptures, centuries-old trees, and lakes and waterfalls.
Garden of the Tears, Coimbra - The place of the legend of D. Pedro and Inez. All in the 13th century. Enchanting spot along the Mondego River it has the same paths walked by the star-crossed lovers, and the very fountain where Inez was murdered. The garden occupies a spot along the Mondego River.
The royal court of Portugal went to the hills of UNESCO World Heritage's Sintra to relax. The spot is prized for it running waters, forests, and moderate climate. The town is framed for its gardens such as the whimsical Pena Palace, the Seteais Palace and Quinta da Regaleira. Palácio Nacional de Queluz – this palace inspired by Versailles. The palace’s baroque gardens are greatly admired and provide an excellent setting for all kinds of cultural events. The grounds surrounding the Quinta da Regaleira estate, built in the middle of a dense forest, are Quinta da Regaleira are said to hide symbols the Masons, the Knights Emplary and the Rocicrucians.
Portugal’s Madeira Island is famed for its natural beauty and is often referred to as the 'floating garden of the Atlantic'. Funchal, Madeira’s capital, received a gold award as European Flowering City. So, explore this mystical place and venture into the luxuriant vegetation of the Laurisilva forest or visit one of the many gardens that await. Visit also Madeira’s Flower Festival each April. A wide variety of flowers blooms on Madeira Island, often referred to as the "floating garden of the Atlantic." With six distinct climate zones, much of the island has been protected and its gardens and parks carefully maintained. Visitors can explore the Madeira Botanical Garden, Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Palheiro Gardens and the Ribeiro Frio Forest Park, among others. And, each April the island stages the Madeira Flower Festival.On the island São Miguel, visitors can use the Terra Nostra Garden Hotel as the starting point for exploring the calderas, geysers, steam vents and springs of the Furnas Valley. Here a former orange grove has been transformed into botanical gardens, filled with exotic trees imported from every corner of the Portuguese empire. The Solares de Portugal-- the network of 96 manor houses, family homes and stately palaces that offer lodging throughout the country--has a package deal specifically focusing on touring the gardens.
Vast gardens can be found surrounding the sites and monuments throughout the city of Lisbon such as the Parque das Nações (Nations Park), Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Belém Cultural Centre, Estufa Fria, Jardim Amália Rodrigues, Jardim Botânico da Ajuda, Jardim do Campo Grande, Jardim das Amoreiras, Parque Eduardo VII and Monsanto Park. The baroque Gardens at the Palácio Nacional de Queluz were inspired by France's Versailles.
The Terra Nostra Garden Hotel in a forested crater of São Miguel in the lush Furnas Valley, with its countless calderas, geysers, steam vents and springs. Today one of the world’s most extraordinary botanical gardens, filled with exotic trees imported from around the world. Solares de Portugaloffers a unique way to experience Portugal. With their “The Excellence of the Gardens” package the visitors can discover the great green spaces hidden all around Portugal. Solares de Portugal is a network of 96 manor houses, family homes, and stately palaces that offer a personal lodging option throughout Portugal. Staying in one of them is can be an experience in ecotourism, as you might be on a working estate farm, or within a natural preserve. All their houses have been arranged into three distinct groups: Casas Antigas (Historic homes), Quintas e Herdades (Farms and Estate) and Casas Rústicas (Rural homes). They have been individually inspected to ensure the highest standards of quality and hospitality. Many Solares de Portugal have been in same family for hundreds of years and often date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Solares de Portugal also host an annual International Festival Garden in Ponte de Lima in the Minho region that runs from May 25 to October 30. Here, temporary gardens, showing contemporary garden designs, and techniques are judged by a jury and the public.