What to do and see in Lisbon District, Central Portugal: The Best Nature & Parks

December 24, 2021 Giuseppe Pratt

Discover the best top things to do in Lisbon District, Portugal including Quinta da Regaleira, Praia da ursa, Oceanario de Lisboa, Guincho Beach, Parque de Monserrate, Marechal Carmona Park, Praia da Rainha, Praia de Carcavelos, Espaco de Jogo e Recreio do Jamor, Vale dos Lagos at Parque de Pena.
Restaurants in Lisbon District

1. Quinta da Regaleira

Rua Barbosa do Bocage, Sintra 2710-567 Portugal +351 21 910 6650 [email protected] http://www.regaleira.pt/
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 13,313 reviews

Quinta da Regaleira

Classified as World Heritage by UNESCO and built at the turn of the 20th century, this romantic architectural complex is comprised of a Palace, a Chapel, and gardens with grottos.

Reviewed By richardb552016 - London, United Kingdom

This palace is a must for anyone visiting Lisbon. Within easy reach by train and bus, the gardens are a delight with many follies, chapels, delightful views and what is called an Initiation Well which is an absolute must including stepping stones and looking through a waterfall amongst other attractions. The cafe affords a lovely outdoor seating area with views of the palace and gardens. The architecture of all of the buildings are magical in appearance. Allow at least 2 hours. The walk to the top of the garden area is fairly steep but worthwhile. Then it is all downhill from there!

2. Praia da ursa

Cabo da Roca, Sintra Portugal http://www.praiadaursa.pt/
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 521 reviews

Praia da ursa

Reviewed By 789stephend - Vancouver, Canada

I found Cabo da Roca to be beautiful and the ocean crashing against the cliffs. There are some hiking trails to explore, well worth the trip out here.

3. Oceanario de Lisboa

Esplanada D. Carlos I Doca dos Olivais, Lisbon 1990-005 Portugal +351 21 891 7000 [email protected] http://www.oceanario.pt/en/
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39,694 reviews

Oceanario de Lisboa

Opened in 1998, the Oceanário was the centerpiece of the XXth Century's last World Fair, themed "The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future", and eternally binds Lisbon to the Oceans.MissionThe Oceanário’s mission is to promote knowledge of the oceans and bring up the public about the duty of protecting natural heritage, through changing their daily habits.While walking through impressive and unforgettable exhibits, visitors are encouraged to learn fascinating things about the oceans and, more importantly, how to make decisions in their daily lives that actively promote the conservation of nature.

Reviewed By southerntraveller49 - Andalucia, Spain

Although tickets are a bit pricey compared to other attractions, the Oceanário justly deserves a visit. Besides its striking contemporary architecture, the contents are also outstanding. The day I went, there was an original and amazing temporary exhibition on undersea forests by a Japanese artist, accompanied by beautiful music from the talented Portuguese composer Rodrigo Leão. Beautiful for your eyes and ears. The permanent exhibition is also impressive and complete. It attracts with its twilight atmosphere every kind of visitor and leaves you with the impression of having had a glimpse of a misterious and riveting world, utterly apart from our daily lives. The Oceanário has a very varied public, but it seems to be focused on families. That implies children, especially if you go there on weekends, but most of them were well behaved, not bothering your visit at all. There are a bunch of other activities run by the organisation, but even if you opt for a single free visit, you´ll notice that this place has the positive trait that you can feel free here to visit the place at your pace. You can go around some sections rapidly if you want, or linger for a while in others and then come back again. It allows a very free vision of the place, it doesn´t give the impression as if there were a prefixed itinerary that you´d have to follow always.

4. Guincho Beach

Parque Natural Sintra-Cascais, Cascais Portugal +351 934 479 075 http://www.cm-cascais.pt/galeria-de-imagens/praia-do-guincho
Excellent
60%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,046 reviews

Guincho Beach

Lying at the foot of the Sintra hills and facing the Atlantic, this superb beach is not only ideal for wind surfing but also board surfing due to the large breakers.

Reviewed By eurydice2017 - London, United Kingdom

Guincho beach is truly beautiful and unspoiled, pretty much deserted out of season and a must for die hard windsurfers. The water is super cold and tricky, lots of powerful currents and big waves at times. During the season there are life guards in some of the beaches but out of season no, so if you feel adventurous and go for a swim proceed with great care. Or just sit and look and the sea, it is SO amazingly beautiful. Unforgettable sunsets guaranteed too! Big sand dunes and great walks nearby, namely one which starts roughly opposite Fortaleza do Guincho (big yellow building, old fortress) with wood paths to walk on and beautiful meandering paths providing stunning views. Not to miss!

5. Parque de Monserrate

Sintra Portugal +351 21 923 7300 http://www.parquesdesintra.pt
Excellent
73%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 754 reviews

Parque de Monserrate

Reviewed By LP528 - Manitoba, Canada

We were shocked by how beautiful the grounds were, even in January. They're beautifully maintained, and well worth an hour or two of wandering. The palace has been wonderfully restored; you have to see the 'before' pictures to fully appreciate the work that has been done. I wish we'd have been told to start on the top floor. This is where all of the information about the history of the palace is. There's a very interesting video to watch, as well. I highly suggest starting at the top and working your way down; it will all make much more sense that way. We stopped at the cafe, and it's a nice place for a drink and a snack (inside or out). The selection of food is likely much better during high season. Beware if you're driving to Monserrate - good old google maps sent us to the service entrance (a challenging drive to be avoided at all costs). This might be a disappointing place for anyone with mobility issues. Wear proper footwear as the paths can be steep and slippery in places. Would LOVE to see this place in summer (although, I fear the crowds would be annoying).

6. Marechal Carmona Park

Praceta Domingos D_Avilez, Av. da Republica, Cascais 2750 Portugal http://www.cm-cascais.pt/equipamento/parque-marechal-carmona
Excellent
62%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 614 reviews

Marechal Carmona Park

Reviewed By Ana4G - Portugal, null

Only going back to 1940, this park has an amazing green area that give all visitants a great opportunity for privacy even when the park is full. The park welcomes all sort of activities, there is a children’s playground, dogs are allowed, there is a lake by the entrance, a café, plenty seating areas, open areas for traditional games, a greenhouse and even a library. - The park also has a lot of habitants: tortoises, ducks, chickens, pigeons, peacocks. We actually saw a very traumatic event which was a little duckcling being killed by a toirtoise while his mother was fighting to try to save him without any luck. We were so devastated as it was quite violent, it was a really bad moment but I guess we have to realize it’s life. The only good part it that a park keeper came running with a stick to the rescue, even though he was also not able to do anything by then it was still nice to see they have someone looking over the park. - This is a very well landscaped area with a lot of shades for those hot days. The park’s entrance is free and the opening hours vary with the season: November to March: 8h30 - 17h45 April to October: 8h30 - 19h45

7. Praia da Rainha

Largo Praia da Rainha, Cascais 2750-471 Portugal
Excellent
47%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 478 reviews

Praia da Rainha

Reviewed By shizzzyb - Liverpool, United Kingdom

You can walk along the coast, from beautiful beach, to the next beautiful beach. Fantastic promenade , I walked from Estoril to Cascais every day. There are some amazing photo opportunities and lovely restaurants on the way. Very clean beaches .

8. Praia de Carcavelos

Avenida Marginal, Carcavelos 2775-604 Portugal
Excellent
46%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 701 reviews

Praia de Carcavelos

Reviewed By 789stephend - Vancouver, Canada

Praia de Calrcavelos has a really good beach vibe and scene. There are places to rent surfboards and surfing schools. you can walk along the promenade or have a coffee or drink in one of the many bars, coffee houses or restaurants, The local train makes this an easy location to get to.

9. Espaco de Jogo e Recreio do Jamor

Avenida Pierre de Coubertin Cruz Quebrada, Oeiras 1495-751 Portugal +351 21 414 6030 [email protected] http://jamor.idesporto.pt/index.php?s=instalacoes
Excellent
56%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 78 reviews

Espaco de Jogo e Recreio do Jamor

Reviewed By Maria_Gasparinho - Oeiras, Portugal

Early in the morning, is a very good spot for water sports practice like SUP and kayak for all ages.

10. Vale dos Lagos at Parque de Pena

Parque de Pena, Sintra Portugal http://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/noticias/conclusion-of-the-restoration-of-the-valley-of-the-lakes-and-the-garden-of-camellias-in-the-park-of-pena/
Excellent
54%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 157 reviews

Vale dos Lagos at Parque de Pena

Reviewed By neil_hun - Horsham, United Kingdom

In the rush to see the major landmarks of Sintra, it's easy to 'do' the Palace of Pena, hot-foot it across to the Moorish Castle and then onto the next stop on your itinerary. If you do, you'll be missing one of the highlights of the Sintra Hills. The Parque de Pena and the Vale dos Lagos within it have a fairytale-like quality, with its towering trees, dainty bridges, chain of lakes and mini waterfalls, lush green ferns, tiny chapel, moss-covered benches and other man-made structures being slowly consumed by the undergrowth. And despite the crazy number of people at the palace, the size of the park and its labyrinthine paths make it easy to lose yourself in this beautiful setting. We wandered around for an hour and didn't see a soul for 20 minutes of that time. Bliss.

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