Parque da Quinta das Conchas e dos Lilases

Parque da Quinta das Conchas e dos Lilases is one of Lisbon's largest parks, set in the Lumiar district in the north of the city. It covers roughly 26 hectares and ranks as the third largest green space in the Portuguese capital, after Monsanto and Bela Vista. For travellers who want a break from the crowded streets of the centre, it offers calm and plenty of room to walk.

How did the park come about?

The park stands on the land of two former 16th-century estates: Quinta das Conchas and Quinta dos Lilases. The first is linked to a figure named Afonso Torres. After passing through several families, the estate was bought on 25 February 1899 by Francisco Mantero. In the early 20th century a small mansion and a fountain were built in the wooded part of Quinta das Conchas; the fountain carries an inscription dated 1916, though today it is dry and out of use.

Part of the estate also housed a Tobis Portuguesa film studio, where "A Canção de Lisboa", a well-known musical comedy, was shot in 1933. In 1966 Mantero's descendants handed the management and preservation of the estate to the Lisbon City Council. After renovation works, the park opened to the public on 12 May 2005.

What is there to see?

The park is divided into three distinct zones: Quinta das Conchas, the Mata (woodland) and Quinta dos Lilases.

• Quinta das Conchas is the largest part. It has a big central lawn, and a group of olive trees grows at its higher end.
• The Mata is the wooded area, with remains of the old estate such as the fountain mentioned above. The Cupressus lusitanica trees here are over a hundred years old and form one of only four such ancient stands in Portugal.
• Quinta dos Lilases is the third zone, named after the lilacs that gave the estate its name.

Practical information

According to OpenStreetMap the park is open from 06:00 to 01:00, so it suits an early walk or run as well as an evening outing. Coordinates are about 38.770 N, 9.155 W. Entry to the park is open to everyone.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the park? In the Lumiar district, in northern Lisbon.

How big is it? About 26 hectares, so allow at least a few hours if you want to see all three zones.

Is there anything historic? Yes: an early 20th-century mansion, a fountain dated 1916, and a layout that grew out of 16th-century estates. The old cypresses are a natural curiosity.

When can I visit? From 06:00 to 01:00 per OSM. It is worth checking the current hours on the City of Lisbon website before you go.

Who is it for? Anyone looking for greenery, quiet, a family stroll or a picnic on a large lawn, as well as fans of Portuguese film history and old estates.

The park is a good choice for visitors who have already seen Lisbon's famous landmarks and want to see how locals spend their free time away from the tourist centre. Its size means that even on a sunny weekend you can find a quiet corner, and the three zones differ in character, from open meadow to shady woodland.