The Gardens of Porto

Portugal is hot.

And not just because it’s summertime.

Americans have long flocked to Europe for summer getaways with places like Paris, London, and Rome getting much of the attention. But once these spots have been checked off, it’s time to look farther afield for a new adventure and discovery. In that sense, the Portuguese city of Porto hits all the right notes.

While there is much history to unearth in Porto—don’t miss climbing the steps to the top of the Torre dos Clérigos for a 360° view of the city and taking a boat cruise passing beneath each of the six bridges that span the Douro River—you’d be remiss in not spending some time in the gardens of Porto. Garden and floral enthusiasts will be entranced by the sheer quantity of public green spaces in this port town on the far west corner of Europe. Pocket gardens along cobblestone-lined streets teem with tall, full-headed, purple allium blooms. The hardy Queen Crepe myrtle variety thrives in the coastal climate, and century-old olive trees can be found around almost every tile-walled corner.

Porto’s Must-Visit Gardens:

1) Gardens of Palácio de Cristal (Crystal Palace)

Just beyond the entrance to this expansive space (nearly 20 acres) on the western edge of the city center is an arena for performances and conferences, but the green spaces are the real attraction—well, that and the bevy of peacocks and chickens that call the romantic Gardens of Palácio de Cristal home. Designed by German landscape architect Émile David in the 19th century, the entrance gardens still bear his name. Follow the canopied Avenida das Tílias to the Douro River where a small tower awaits your climb for a breathtaking view of the river and the town of Gaia, just on the other side.

LOOK FOR:

Flora species North American Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera), Box elder (Acer negundo), Tilia (Cordata, Platyphyllos, and Tomentosa), Camelia sp., Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), Metrosideros, Palm Tree (Washingtonia Robusta), Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria Heterophylla).

2) Serralves Park

Grab an Uber and head to Parque de Serralves to enjoy the nearly 45 acres of greenspace designed by architect Jacques Gréber in the 1930’s. Here you’ll find a traditional farm (tended with help from kindergartners and adults with disabilities), formal gardens, an elevated treetop walk, and cozy woodlands. Dotted throughout are important works from artists like Alexander Calder, Richard Serra, and Anish Kapoor. Visit the park after dark for “Serralves in Light,” an immersive light installation that creates the illusion of different seasons throughout the park.

LOOK FOR:

With more than 200 species of flora and a variety of autochthonous and ornamental, non-native plants, any garden enthusiast will delight in the expansiveness of this compound.

3) The Botanical Garden of the University of Porto

The singular moniker given to this garden is a bit of a misnomer as there are no less than three levels of biodiversity present here, each with characteristics all their own—more like “gardens,” plural. The first level boasts mixed borders of native species, formal gardens, and tall hedges of centenary camellias. Beyond, you will find gardens dedicated simply to roses and another to all dahlias, as well as ponds with a bevy of floating lotus plants. Keep going and you’ll encounter cactus and succulents as well as greenhouses with towering species, stretching upward toward the warm coastal sunshine. Walk a bit farther to reach the arboretum with a small reservoir and a large lake— yes, all inside these city gates.

LOOK FOR:

The Hall of Biodiversity— Ciência Viva Center is a space dedicated to the promotion of scientific culture in the scope of the biological sciences, evolution, and biodiversity.

4) Jardim do Morro

While this humble Portuguese garden is technically just across the Luís I Bridge from the city of Porto in the town of Gaia, it is an easy walk and well worth the visit. Go in the early evening and enjoy dinner at one of the cafes that line the Douro River before heading up to the Jardim do Morro to enjoy the spectacular sunset that seems to drip gold on the Porto rooftops. On any given evening, you will find yourself surrounded by dozens of like-minded opacarophiles (yes, there is actually a word for those who love sunsets, and that’s it).

LOOK FOR:

While you won’t find as many botanical species here as at the other gardens listed, this location is ideal for people watching, recapping the day with friends, and celebrating time spent in Porto. Pack a blanket and a few chilled beverages to savor the moment. Walk back across the bridge and take the funicular back up the steep hillside of Porto to save your legs for the next day.

If you’ve already exhausted your travel budget for the year, you can still enjoy a little bit of the lushness of this seaside town with a new line of textiles and home décor from Charlotte-based textile designer Laura Park. The artist has captured the spirit of Portugal in her upcoming Porto Collection which she says is a “celebration of life, art, and the ‘joie de vivre’ that defines this coastal paradise.” Walks with her daughter, Lawson Park (designer and co-founder of sister brand, Brooks Avenue), through the historic tiled walls of the city center and the town’s many gardens served as indelible inspiration.

See more details here.

By Christiana Roussel

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