Trees in Lisbon
When most people think of Lisbon, they picture yellow trams, tiled buildings, and pastel de nata. But what many visitors don’t realize is that Lisbon is also home to stunning trees that bloom in brilliant color throughout the year. From vibrant jacarandas in spring to graceful cherry blossoms and sculptural wonders like the elephant foot tree, the city is a living botanical postcard. Here’s a list of 10 beautiful trees in Lisbon you must not miss.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or simply someone who enjoys a stroll through leafy avenues, this guide is for you.
10 Beautiful Trees in Lisbon You Need to See in Bloom
1. Jacaranda Trees in Lisbon (Jacaranda mimosifolia)
Few things capture Lisbon’s spring magic like the jacaranda bloom. By late May, the city is bathed in a dreamy haze of purple.
🌸 Best time to see: Late May – early June
📍 Where to go: Avenida da Liberdade, Praça do Município, Eduardo VII Park
✨ Why go: Sidewalks covered in purple petals feel like nature’s confetti—perfect for photos and romantic walks.
Don’t miss the jacaranda trees in Lisbon if you’re visiting in spring!
2. Cherry Blossoms in Lisbon (Prunus serrulata)
It may not be Kyoto, but in early spring, Lisbon’s cherry blossoms paint the city in shades of pink and white, welcoming warmer days.
🌸 Best time to see: March
📍 Top spots: Jardim da Estrela, Gulbenkian Gardens, Ajuda Botanical Garden
🌿 Did you know? Some of Lisbon’s cherry trees were gifts from Japan.
Why it matters: They offer serenity and color during the tail-end of winter—ideal for peaceful strolls and early-season sightseeing.
3. Elephant Foot Tree (Pachypodium lamerei)
This isn’t your typical tree. Known for its bulbous trunk and spiky silhouette, the elephant foot tree in Lisbon looks like a desert dweller dropped into a European garden.
📍 See it at: Lisbon Botanical Garden, Senhora do Monte Viewpoint, Santa Luzia Viewpoint
🌀 Fun fact: It stores water in its trunk, making it drought-resistant.
Why it’s cool: With its surreal shape, it’s the kind of tree that makes you pause, laugh, and take a picture.
4. Bougainvillea in Lisbon
Technically a climbing vine, bougainvillea in Lisbon often grows so large and luscious it behaves like a tree—tumbling over walls in a cascade of color.
🎨 Best season: Late spring to early autumn
📍 Best areas: Alfama, Bairro Alto, Graça
🌟 Did you know? The vibrant hues are not petals, but leaf-like bracts.
Why visit: A walk through Alfama with bougainvillea overhead is like stepping into a painting.
5. Olive Trees in Lisbon (Olea europaea)
The olive tree is ancient, resilient, and symbolic of peace—an understated but meaningful part of Lisbon’s green landscape.
📍 Where to go: São Jorge Castle, Jardim Botânico da Ajuda, Monsanto Park
🌿 Tip: Look out for twisted trunks and silver-green leaves.
Why it’s meaningful: A quiet nod to Portugal’s Mediterranean roots and its culinary traditions.
6. Stone Pine Trees (Pinus pinea)
Recognizable by their tall trunks and umbrella-like canopies, stone pines in Lisbon offer beauty and shelter in equal measure.
🌲 Commonly seen at: Eduardo VII Park, Tapada das Necessidades, Monsanto Forest
🌰 Bonus trivia: They produce the pine nuts found in local dishes like bacalhau com natas.
Why stop here: For the perfect picnic spot—cool shade and sweeping city views.
7. Palm Trees in Lisbon
Elegant and iconic, palm trees in Lisbon bring a tropical flair to the city’s classic architecture and plazas.
📍 Palm-lined spots: Praça do Comércio, Jardim do Torel, Avenida Almirante Reis
🌴 Look for: Canary Island Date Palm, Fan Palm (Washingtonia)
Why they matter: They add drama to skyline photos and are signature features of Lisbon’s aesthetic charm.
8. Plane Trees (Platanus × acerifolia)
These hardy giants are some of the most common urban trees in Lisbon, thanks to their pollution tolerance and majestic size.
🌳 Seen along: Avenida da Liberdade, Martim Moniz, university campuses
🍂 Fun detail: Their bark peels in camouflage-like patches.
Why they’re essential: A practical beauty—they keep Lisbon cool and green during hot summers.
9. Cork Oak Trees in Lisbon (Quercus suber)
As the national tree of Portugal, the cork oak is more than just functional—it’s a cultural emblem.
📍 See them at: Monsanto Forest, Ajuda Botanical Garden, and nearby Sintra
🪵 Did you know? Bark is harvested sustainably every 9–12 years for wine stoppers and crafts.
Why explore them: They’re living proof of Portugal’s ecological craftsmanship and tradition.
10. Mimosa Trees (Acacia dealbata)
The first to bloom, mimosa trees in Lisbon light up winter with a burst of fluffy yellow joy.
🌼 Best bloom: February
📍 Go to: Monsanto Park, hills around Ajuda and Belém
💡 Note: Mimosas are invasive but beautiful—a controversial local favorite.
Why visit now: Their cheerful blooms signal the start of spring. A yellow wake-up call after grey months.
🌿 Bonus: Where to See the Most Trees in Lisbon
Here are the best green spaces in Lisbon to enjoy a wide variety of trees year-round:
Eduardo VII Park – Iconic trees and great viewpoints
Monsanto Forest Park – Lisbon’s biggest urban forest
Jardim da Estrela – A romantic garden full of seasonal blossoms
Ajuda Botanical Garden – Historic, scientific, and wildly photogenic
🌟 Final Thoughts: Why Lisbon’s Trees Deserve the Spotlight
Whether it’s the delicate cherry blossoms, the bold bougainvillea, or the mysterious elephant foot tree, Lisbon’s leafy wonders add layers of texture and color to the urban experience.
So next time you visit, don’t just look out over the city—look up into its trees. They tell their own stories, one petal, bract, or pinecone at a time.
Leave a Reply