Parque Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles in Lisbon

Parque Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles is a city park in central Lisbon, created on the site of the former Praça de Espanha. It covers more than six hectares and links the area around the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation to the south with the green corridor leading toward Monsanto Forest Park. It opened on 13 June 2021, the feast day of Saint Anthony, the city's patron.

Who was the park named after?

Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles (1922–2020) was a Portuguese landscape architect and politician. He authored or co-authored ideas that shaped Lisbon's green spaces, including the Peripheral Park and the Monsanto Green Corridor. Naming the new park after him was a tribute to that legacy.

How did the park come about?

The square, long associated mostly with car traffic, was turned into a large green area. The design was carried out by the office NPK – Paisagistas Associados. Works began in early 2020. The original plan was to finish the same year, tied to Lisbon's status as European Green Capital in 2020, but the deadline slipped until June 2021.

A key principle was replacing impermeable surfaces with permeable ones, which helps manage rainwater. The designers also used plant species that Ribeiro Telles had selected in the 1960s for the land south of today's park.

What can you do here?

The park offers:

• walking paths and a cycle route,
• leisure areas and shaded places to sit,
• children's playgrounds,
• three bike-sharing stations.

Greenery is dense, making it a good stop for a calmer walk when the surroundings are dominated by office blocks, busy roads and the Praça de Espanha metro station.

Getting there and what is nearby

The park sits in the middle of the city, so the easiest way is the metro to Praça de Espanha. Its proximity to the Gulbenkian Foundation makes it a natural part of a walk linking the museum and its gardens with other parts of town. Nearby are also the Amoreiras towers, where you can visit a free viewpoint with a panorama of Lisbon.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry paid? No. It is a public city park.

When did it open? On 13 June 2021.

How big is it? More than six hectares.

Is there anything for children? Yes, the park includes playgrounds.

Can I cycle here? Yes, there is a cycle path and three bike-sharing stations.

Who is it for? Anyone looking for greenery in central Lisbon: families, runners, cyclists and visitors who want a rest between sights.