Monsanto

Monsanto, formally the Parque Florestal de Monsanto, is the largest green space in Lisbon. This municipal forest covers about 900 hectares west of the city centre, roughly a tenth of the municipality. If you want a walk, a bike ride or a picnic without leaving the Portuguese capital, this is the easiest place to go.

What is Monsanto in Lisbon?

It is a municipal forest rather than a landscaped garden in the classic sense. Pine, eucalyptus and oak dominate the woodland, and an extensive network of walking and cycling paths crosses it. Several viewpoints open onto the Tagus estuary.

The name is often confused with the agrochemical corporation of the same name. Here it refers only to the Lisbon hill and the forest that grew on it.

How did the park come about?

The hillside once looked very different. It was a patchwork of fields, pastures and limestone quarries, with windmills on the exposed hilltops. The land was deforested and pitted with holes, and it was farmed intensively to feed the growing city.

Afforestation was first proposed in 1868 by the forester João Maria de Magalhães. The park was formally established on 1 November 1934, when Decree-Law 24625 was published. The initiator was engineer Duarte Pacheco, who was worried about how fast Lisbon was expanding. From 1938 the project was developed by architect Keil do Amaral. Workers, soldiers and students planted thousands of trees, and some accounts add that prisoners from Monsanto Fort took part too. The result turned a bare hillside into an urban forest.

What can you do here?

• Hike or cycle along the path network.
• Go bird-watching.
• Have a picnic.
• Enjoy views of the city and the Tagus estuary from the viewpoints.
• Visit the Ecological Park and its interpretation centre.

A bit of history

The Monsanto heights were also a battlefield. In January 1919, during the clash known as the Escalada Monsanto, volunteer forces who had revolted against the republic, on the monarchist side, occupied the high ground and fought republican troops. Little in today's landscape recalls it, but it adds to the hill's place in Lisbon's historical memory.

Frequently asked questions

How big is Monsanto Forest Park?

About 900 hectares, around 10% of the municipality of Lisbon. It is the city's largest green space.

When was it created?

The decree establishing the park was published on 1 November 1934, and planting continued in the following years.

Is it linked to the Roundup company?

No. This is a Lisbon forest park with no connection to the American corporation.

Which trees grow here?

Mostly pine, eucalyptus and oak.

Are there viewpoints?

Yes, several spots overlook the Tagus estuary and the city.

Who is it for?

Walkers, cyclists, bird-watchers and anyone who wants a break from city noise without leaving Lisbon.