Jardim do Ultramar Belem

Portugal's Attractions: Jardim do Ultramar

The Jardim do Ultramar (Jardim Botânico Tropical) is located just to the east of the Jeronimos Monastery in Belem, Lisbon.

Jardim do Ultramar Botanical Garden, Lisbon. — Jardim do Ultramar Botanical Garden, Belem, Lisbon

History

The Jardim do Ultramar (Jardim Botânico Tropical) was inaugurated in 1906 by King Charles I as a research center of the Institute of Tropical Sciences and was laid out by Henry Navel, a French landscape gardener. The original purpose of the garden was agricultural research for the benefit of Portugal's overseas colonies.

The Jardim do Ultramar contains around 600 species of tropical and subtropical flora originating mainly from the different continents where Portugal's overseas colonies were located (Africa, Asia, South America) and is now part of the University of Lisbon.

The leafy grounds of the Jardim do Ultramar contain some towering palm trees, numerous cycads, various green houses and several ponds. The garden also displays a series of modern art sculptures and a Chinese keyhole gate representing Macau, once a Portuguese possession in China.

The Jardim do Ultramar is also dotted with various historical residences which once belonged to Portuguese aristocrats and buildings from the Expo of 1940.

To the south east of the garden is the Palácio de Belém and the Museu da Presidencia da Republica. Also close by is the Museu de Arquitetura e Tecnologia (MAAT) housed in the vast, red-brick former Tejo power station.

Access & Hours

Jardim do Ultramar
Largo dos Jeronimos, 1400-209 Lisbon.

Hours: The Jardim do Ultramar is open daily (except for the Christmas & New Year holidays) from 10 am-5 pm or 10 am-8 pm depending on the season.

Admission: 2 Euros.

Buses: #28, #714, #727, #729 or #751. Tram: #15 from Cais do Sodre; From Cascais or Cais de Sodre on the Cascais Line get out at Belém station; Ferry: From Porto Brandaõ and Trafaria on the south side of the River Tagus to Belém or take the Linha Cascais train from Cais de Sodre to Belem.

Other botanical gardens in Lisbon are the garden attached to the Ajuda Palace in Belem, the Jardim Botanico da Ajuda and the Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Lisboa.