Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Lisboa
The Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Lisboa) is a somewhat neglected and unkempt green space in the Principe Real district, just north of Bairro Alto.
History
The Botanical Garden in Lisbon was laid out from 1858 and 1878 as a home for the many exotic species of plants brought home from Portugal's colonies and trading places around the world. Thus there are plants from China, Japan, South America, New Zealand and Australia among the collection, many of which are labelled.
Rather hidden from view by a high wall around its 10 acres, the main entrance to the Jardim Botânico is close to the Museu Nacional de História Natural e da Ciência (National Museum of Natural History and Science).
Plants
The Botanical Garden in Lisbon contains about 20,000 plants including bamboo, cycads, ferns and exotic palms. It's a good place to relax, read and stroll the paths through the lush greenery.
There is also a butterfly house (Lugartagis), a large greenhouse for breeding butterflies. It is closed on Monday.
Access & Hours
Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Lisboa
Rua da Escola Politécnica, 58
1250-102 Lisbon.
Hours: April 1-October 31 9 am-8 pm; 1 November-31 March 9 am-5 pm (weekdays); 9 am-6 pm (weekends).
The nearest metro station is Rato on the Linha Amarela. Any of the following Lisbon buses run close to the Museus de Politécnica: 58, 7736, 9, 74, 720, 727, 738, 92 and 790.
Entrance is presently 2 Euros (2015) though visitors can buy a combined ticket with the Museus de Politécnica (Natural History and Science Museums). Just across the street is the Jardim do Príncipe Real.
Both the Botanical Garden and museum are a short walk from the viewing point in São Pedro de Alcântara.
Other Botanical Gardens in Lisbon are the garden attached to the Ajuda Palace in Belem, the Jardim Botanico da Ajuda and the nearby Jardim do Ultramar, also in Belem, close to the Palácio de Belém and the Museu da Presidencia da Republica.
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