Vandelli Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Ajuda neighborhood in Lisbon.
Ajuda is northeast of Belém and west of Alcântara. The garden is also known as the Ajuda Botanical Garden, Jardim Botânico da Ajuda, and Royal Botanical Garden of Ajuda.
It is also one of the most beautiful gardens in Lisbon and worth visiting. Here, you can enjoy some peace 🤫 among nature.
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Visiting Vandelli Botanical Garden
Before we discuss all the amazing things to explore at the Jardim Botânico da Ajuda, you must know a few things. The Ajuda Botanical Garden is located in Calçada da Ajuda, 1300-011 Lisboa, Portugal, and is part of the Ajuda Royal Palace.
Best Time to Visit Vandelli Botanical Garden
For the best experience, plan your visit to the garden during the spring and summer when most plants bloom. Consider visiting early in the morning or late in the afternoon to fully appreciate the garden’s peaceful atmosphere.
Ticket Prices
Visiting the garden costs a small fee as follows:
- Adults: €2
- Students and Seniors: €1
- Children under 12: Free
The Jardim Botânico da Ajuda is not included in the Lisbon Card.
Vandelli Botanical Garden Visiting Times
The opening and closing times are as follows:
- November to March: 10 AM to 5 PM
- May to September: 9 AM to 6 PM (weekends and holidays 9 AM to 8 PM)
- April and October: 10 AM to 5 PM (weekends and holidays 10 AM to 6 PM)
- The garden is closed on 25 December and 1 January
Exploring Jardim Botânico da Ajuda
The Vandelli Botanical Garden was laid out as part of the Ajuda Palace in 1768. The design occurred after the king transferred to Ajuda after the earthquake in 1755.
Domingos Vandelli designed the garden with the help of an Italian garden designer, Júlio Mattiazi.
The original design was to provide a play space for the grandchildren of the Portuguese royal family.
How Long Does a Visit Take?
You can easily stroll through the entire Royal Botanical Garden of Ajuda in 30 minutes to 2 hours when combined with a visit to the Ajuda Palace.
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Ajuda Botanical Garden Design
The botanical garden has a Baroque design with a geometric layout and is decorated with monuments.
The royal family designed it on a hill. It is divided into two terraces connected by a Baroque staircase.
The lower terrace has an Italian layout, with a geometrically patterned path and long heads of boxwood around flower beds with mythological figures.
In the middle of the lower level is a monumental fountain known as the Fountain of the Forty Spouts. It is an eighteenth-century fountain with 41 water spouts disguised as fish, seahorses, and serpents.
You can find plenty of statues that decorate the fountain. In the middle basin, you see water plants.
Around the garden, you find peacocks strutting around with other urban creatures.
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The Plants and Gardens in Vandelli Botanical Garden
You can find plenty of trees, and on the western side of the lower level, you find exotic plants with a small rock garden.
For interesting botanical plants, head to the upper level, where you will find a 404-year-old dragon tree and Schotia Afra.
Many other trees are as old as the dragon tree, and you can find over 5,000 species of plants in the botanical garden.
As you walk, the garden of scents is filled with aroma, and you find the medical plants designed for the visually impaired.
On a clear day, the upper level offers spectacular views of the garden and Belém.
Attractions Nearby Ajuda Botanical Garden
While visiting the garden, you can explore the royal palace, and there are no tourist attractions.
You can visit all the major monuments and museums in Belém. The closest are the Coaches Museum and MAAT, a ten-minute walk away.
You can visit:
Hot Tip🔥: Check out this Belém Lisbon walking guide to explore the major attractions.
How to Get to Vandelli Botanical Garden
You find the garden across the road from Ajuda Palace, and you can take bus 760, which stops in Praça da Figueira downtown, which passes the palace and takes 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can take Tram 18, departing at Cais do Sodré and stopping a few feet from the garden. Or you can walk for 15 minutes up Calçada da Ajuda from the Coaches Museum.
The fastest and most comfortable way to travel is to travel by train.
6 Interesting Facts About Jardim Botânico da Ajuda
The Vandelli Botanical Garden is unknown to many visitors but has some interesting facts.
- The Marquis of Pombal planted it in 1768, the oldest garden in Portugal. The Italian botanist Domingos Vandelli designed it.
- The garden was established to function as both a museum and a botanical nursery, housing plant species from around the globe. Additionally, King José’s motivation for creating the garden was to provide a learning environment for his children.
- It has approximately 5000 plants from diverse origins, spanning South America, New Zealand, Central Europe, and Japan, spread across over 3 hectares of garden.
- The oldest specimen is a dragon tree over 400 years old. It existed long before the garden was founded 250 years ago.
- The Aroma Garden, featuring aromatic and medicinal plants, was specially designed for people with visual impairments. In addition to Braille signs, it also encourages blind individuals to touch and smell the plants.
- The Olissiponense Garden showcases native plants from the Lisbon region, many requiring minimal water.
Wrap-Up: Vandelli Botanical Garden Lisbon
Vandelli Botanical Garden, also known as Ajuda Botanical Garden, is a gem in Lisbon that offers a peaceful and beautiful escape into nature.
With its rich history, stunning design, and diverse collection of plant species, it’s worth a visit.
Whether you’re interested in botanical gardens or historical landmarks or simply want to enjoy a tranquil atmosphere, Vandelli Botanical Garden has something for everyone.
Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this remarkable attraction during your visit to Lisbon.
