Parque Oriental da Cidade do Porto

Parque Oriental da Cidade do Porto is an urban landscape park in the eastern part of Porto, in the Campanhã district. It is the city's second largest park after Parque da Cidade, yet quite different in character: instead of broad open lawns, it has a narrow, elongated layout that follows a river.

Where is the park and how is it laid out?

The park was built along the final stretch of the Rio Tinto, next to Alameda de Azevedo. It is a linear park running from the Freixo area to Pego Negro. Official descriptions give a total green area of roughly 17 to 18 hectares, split into two adjoining sections. The design is the work of landscape architect Sidónio Pardal.

Numerous footpaths and cycle routes cross the park, used by walkers, runners and cyclists alike. Because the layout is linear, it is easy to plan a walk of almost any length, and the Rio Tinto accompanies you for much of the way.

When was it built?

The first phase opened in mid-2010, with further phases planned over the following decade. The second phase was inaugurated in October 2019. The expansion went hand in hand with the rehabilitation of the Rio Tinto, which added several hectares of new green space.

What grows in the park?

The park has a naturalistic feel. Trees include stone pine and maritime pine, cork oak and pedunculate oak, plus beeches, willows and Leyland cypress. Newer plantings add azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons that emphasise the linear line of the paths, so the park offers something to see in different seasons.

What is the park used for?

Mostly it is an everyday recreation space for residents of the eastern neighbourhoods: walking, jogging and cycling. It also hosts environmental education activities, since it shows how greenery and a restored river ecosystem can work inside a densely built city. The municipality counts it among its nature-based solutions.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the park paid? No, it is a public city park.

Can I cycle here? Yes, cycle paths shared with pedestrians run through the park.

Is Parque Oriental bigger than Parque da Cidade? No. It is Porto's second largest park, after Parque da Cidade.

Who is this area for? Anyone who wants to see the less touristy eastern side of the city and take a riverside walk among greenery.

Who designed the park? Landscape architect Sidónio Pardal.