Estufa Fria

In the middle of Lisbon’s Parque Eduardo VII, the Estufa Fria is a garden built inside an old quarry, where glasshouses and shaded walks shelter plants from many climates. It is one of the city’s most surprising green spaces, cool even on the hottest days.

A garden in a quarry

The garden was created in the 1930s on the site of a former stone quarry, using slatted roofs and the natural shelter of the rock to protect plants without heating. Its three main areas — the Cold Greenhouse, the Hot Greenhouse and the Sweet Greenhouse — hold palms, tree ferns, cacti and flowering plants from around the world.

What to see

• The Cold Greenhouse, with its slatted roof and luxuriant planting.
• The Hot Greenhouse, with tropical and desert plants.
• The lakes, paths and shaded corners of the garden.
• The surrounding Parque Eduardo VII, with its views over the city and the river.

Visiting the garden

The garden is in the Parque Eduardo VII, in the centre of Lisbon. Opening hours and tickets are published on the official website, so check before your visit.

Visitor information: cm-lisboa.pt.

Image credit: Estufa Fria, Lisboa, by 0000ff, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.