Discover the green side of Porto

The lively city of Porto is known for its impressive sights and charming alleyways. But off the beaten track, there are green oases just waiting to be discovered: the Parque das Virtudes and the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal are two of the most beautiful parks in Porto.

Jardins do Palácio de Cristal

One of the largest and most beautiful parks in Porto is the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal. Not only do tourists stroll along the paths here and enjoy the wonderful view over the Douro, locals also love coming to this green oasis in the city.

Originally, the Palacio do Cristal, a crystal palace from the 19th century, was located in the middle of the park. In its place today stands a large hemispherical building with a proud height of 30 meters. This hall, now called the Super Bock Arena, hosts concerts and sporting events that attract many visitors. At certain times, it is even possible to climb onto the roof. Unfortunately, it was not possible to visit the viewing point during our visit.

The park is located around the striking building and the gardens were designed by Emil David (1839-1873) from Berlin. Beautiful rhododendrons, camellias, araucarias, ginkgos and beeches as well as fountains and statues give the park a varied appearance. There is always something to discover.

So we decided to take a leisurely tour of the grounds. One of the highlights is the Rosarium – a fragrant rose garden with over 30 different varieties of roses. Its elegant arches and lush flowers make it a photographer’s and garden lover’s dream. The rose garden also attracted us and we enjoyed the last plants in bloom at the end of November. Some ducks were swimming in a pond and we even saw peacocks.

Many visitors, including us, were almost magically drawn to the edge of the park. This borders directly on the steep banks of the Douro. Here we strolled along Avenida das Tílias, the most striking axis of the park. An acoustic shell, similar to a small stage, has just been decorated for the opening of the Christmas market.

We also discover a small chapel built in 1849 by the Princess of Montléart in honor of her brother King Charles Albert.

I could hardly get enough of the view over the river at some of the small viewpoints.

The Jardins do Palácio de Cristal is easily accessible by public transport and admission is free. It is open all year round, with spring and summer being the best times to visit.

The Parque das Virtudes – A hidden park in Porto

Situated between the narrow streets of the historic center, the Parque das Virtudes offers a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. The park is laid out in terraces. Each level offers a different view of the surrounding city and the Douro River. This multi-level aspect gives the park a unique atmosphere and makes it one of the most fascinating places in Porto.

We happened to be walking through the park when we were looking for some street art images that could be found nearby. We discovered an expressive pair of eyes on one of the park walls and immediately added it to our street art tour.

The city park was designed by José Marques Loureiro (1830-1898) and is located on the former grounds of the Companhia Hortícola Portuense. Today it is owned by the city and I find the whole area very well maintained.

The old stone steps that criss-cross the park are a striking feature, reminiscent of the site’s historical roots. Grassy areas invite you to have a picnic and there are plenty of shady spots under the trees for a relaxing break.

One of the special attractions of Parque das Virtudes is the extraordinary view of the sunset. With the Douro River in the background and the sky glowing in bright colors, this place is a popular destination for photographers and romantics.

Close to the park in Porto are some of the city’s best restaurants and cafés, so you can enjoy Porto’s culinary delights after a stroll through Parque das Virtudes.

Getting to Parque das Virtudes is easy as it is close to several major bus and streetcar lines. Entry is free and the park is open all year round.