Jardim do Caracol da Penha

Jardim do Caracol da Penha is one of Lisbon's newest public gardens, opened in the summer of 2023 on a hillside between the Arroios and Penha de França districts. It grew out of a residents' campaign and is regarded as one of the most popular projects ever chosen through the city's participatory budget.

How did the garden come about?

For years the site was neglected, and a car park was among the ideas for it. Local people wanted green space instead. A petition gathered around 2,600 signatures, and the proposal submitted to the 2016 participatory budget received 9,477 votes. Delivery took many years, and the works cost roughly two million euros. The design was also shaped with input from neighbours, so the park offers something for very different groups: children, sports fans, older residents and picnickers.

What can you see and do here?

The park occupies a slope, so its paths wind up and down the hill, and the name refers to the snail-like (Portuguese caracol) spiral layout. Facilities include:

• a children's playground, plus a slide that adults can use too,
• a basketball court,
• a community garden where locals grow vegetables and herbs,
• a picnic area,
• a small wooded grove,
• a fountain,
• an open-air cinema,
• a viewpoint over the surrounding neighbourhood.

Reports mention about 250 trees and more than 25,000 smaller plants, so the planting is dense, which brings welcome shade and relief on hot Lisbon days.

Getting there

The garden is at Rua Marquês da Silva (no. 67), and there is a second access from the south on Rua Cidade de Cardiff. The site is elevated, so expect a short uphill approach, though the paths inside are laid out to handle the height difference gradually.

Who is it for?

It suits travellers who want to see an everyday, less touristy side of Lisbon. Families will appreciate the playground, while anyone after a quiet break will find benches and shade. In the evening locals come for a stroll, and in summer open-air film screenings can be held here.

Frequently asked questions

When did the park open? In July 2023, after years of effort by residents and a project funded through the participatory budget.

Is there an entry fee? No, it is a public city park open to everyone.

Is it suitable for children? Yes, there is a playground and plenty of room to play.

Is it worth a visit if I have little time in Lisbon? If you like local spots and views away from the main trail, yes. A visit usually takes an hour or two, depending on whether you stop for a picnic.

Where exactly is it? Between the Arroios and Penha de França districts, with entrances on Rua Marquês da Silva and Rua Cidade de Cardiff.