Jardim Garcia d'Orta

Jardim Garcia de Orta is a riverside tropical garden in Lisbon's Parque das Nações district, on the Tagus estuary. It opened in 1998 during Expo 98 and is now managed by Lisbon City Council. The garden covers roughly 13,000 square meters and is divided into five plots.

Where is Jardim Garcia de Orta?

The garden sits on Rua da Pimenta in eastern Lisbon, on the former Expo 98 grounds. Because it lies right by the water, it pairs easily with a stroll along the Parque das Nações waterfront, close to the Oceanarium, Oriente station and the Vasco da Gama shopping centre. Its coordinates are about 38.772 N, 9.092 W.

Who designed it?

Landscape architect João Gomes da Silva designed the garden. The idea is to tell the story of Portuguese voyages and contact with distant lands through plants rather than monuments or plaques.

Why is it named after Garcia de Orta?

The namesake is Garcia de Orta, a 16th-century Portuguese physician and naturalist regarded as a pioneer of tropical medicine. He lived and worked in Goa, where he studied the medicinal plants and spices of the East. The garden pays tribute to his work, and its planting themes echo places tied to Portugal's maritime history.

What can you see?

The main draw is a collection of exotic and tropical vegetation from other continents. The layout works like a set of small ecosystems, each referring to a different region along the old Portuguese routes:

• Goa,
• Africa,
• Macau and Coloane island,
• the Azores,
• Madeira,
• Cape Verde,
• São Tomé.

A single walk therefore moves from greenery associated with India, through African flora, to the feel of the Atlantic islands.

Who is it for?

The garden is a calm break from exploring modern Lisbon. It suits plant lovers, garden photographers, or anyone who simply wants shade by the river. Since it is a public city garden rather than a ticketed botanical garden, it is easy to drop in, though opening hours and access are worth checking before you go.

Frequently asked questions

When was Jardim Garcia de Orta created? It opened in 1998, tied to Expo 98.

How big is it? About 13,000 square meters, in five plots.

Who was Garcia de Orta? A 16th-century Portuguese physician and naturalist, a pioneer of tropical medicine who worked in Goa.

What grows there? Exotic and tropical plants arranged in collections referring to Goa, Africa, Macau, the Azores, Madeira, Cape Verde and São Tomé.

Is it worth a stop during a visit to Parque das Nações? Yes. It lies in the heart of the district, near the river and main sights, so it fits easily into a route.