Alvalade, one of Lisbon’s most iconic neighborhoods, is much more than a quiet residential area with excellent local commerce. It’s also a true green haven in the heart of the city, where parks and gardens offer spaces for leisure, sports, socializing and connecting with nature. If you’re looking for what to do in Alvalade, explore three of the main parks in Alvalade that make this neighborhood a special place to live.
Parks in Alvalade: Living in a Green Neighborhood
José Gomes Ferreira Park (Mata de Alvalade)
Known by many as Mata de Alvalade, José Gomes Ferreira Park is one of the largest green lungs of the parish, covering around 11 hectares. This space is ideal for those seeking tranquility, nature and outdoor activities.
Its main features include:
- Two picnic areas with tables and drinking fountains
- A children’s playground
- A fitness trail for physical exercise
- A kiosk with a terrace, perfect for a break
The park’s fauna and flora are rich and diverse. With birds such as the Eurasian jay, blue tit and European robin, it’s a great spot for birdwatching. The tree species are equally varied – from stone pine to Buçaco cedar, cork oak, cypress, olive, carob, white poplar and Judas tree. The park is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week, and connects directly to Quinta do Narigão – an adventure park managed by the Portuguese Scouts Association, where educational activities are held for Alvalade’s school community.
Dr. Mário Soares Garden
Also known as Campo Grande Garden, Dr. Mário Soares Garden is the largest green space in central Lisbon. The area dates to the 16th century, when it was known as Campo de Alvalade. This garden is perfect for families, sports enthusiasts and culture lovers, offering a wide range of activities and facilities.
Here you’ll find:
- Two lakes, one with rowboats
- 9 outdoor padel courts with changing rooms
- A dog park – the first in Lisbon
- Restaurants and cafés
- Picnic areas
- A children’s playground
- A fitness trail
- Gym
- Ping pong tables and chess tables
The Caleidoscópio building, managed by the University of Lisbon, has been renovated and now houses a study center. The garden also features several statues and artistic installations.
It’s open every day, 24 hours a day.
Aquilino Ribeiro Machado Garden and Urban Farming Park
This park combines leisure, sustainability and urban agriculture. Located on Avenida do Brasil, between the National Laboratory of Civil Engineering and Rua das Murtas, Aquilino Ribeiro Machado Garden is a multifunctional space with several seating areas.
The park includes:
- An airplane observation area, ideal for aviation enthusiasts
- Outdoor fitness equipment
- An urban farming area with 33 cultivation plots, assigned through public tender. One of these plots hosts the city’s nursery for seed propagation and shrub cultivation
Opening hours are 7 AM to 9 PM (March to October) and 7 AM to 6 PM (November to February).
Living in Alvalade: Nature and Quality of Life
The parks in Alvalade are spaces for connection, well-being and local identity. For those wondering what to do in Alvalade, there are options for every taste: family picnics, morning walks, bird or plane watching, outdoor sports or moments of quiet contemplation.
Alvalade stands out as a privileged area where nature and city life coexist in harmony. And with projects like Casas na Quinta, which value quality of life and green living, the neighborhood becomes even more attractive.
