There are so many beautiful gardens in Lisbon (and its immediate outlying areas) and the [Royal] Ajuda Botanical Gardens is certainly right up there with the best! It's a relatively small garden, at approximately 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres), but what it lacks in size, it makes up in beauty and provenance; likewise, its elevated commanding view overlooking the parish of Belém, the Tagus River, the 25 de Avril Bridge, and well-beyond is spectacular! We are here at winter, so much of the flowering vegetation of the garden is in dormancy; and, too, maintenance/upkeep is a bit lacking at this time of year (also, all of its greenhouses and restaurant were closed). That said, it was a fine, bright day, and the grounds still showed proudly, and the resident peacocks and hens laid-about pell-mell in leisure and seeming contentment. That sense of leisurely ennui captivated the grounds on this particular early January day. We sauntered and enjoyed just as I would think the royalty of yesteryear did, as well. This park was constructed in 1768, making it Portugal's first botanical garden. At one time, close to 5,000 species of flora adorned this garden, before being decimated by French invasion, and a tornado (!!) in 1941, apparently. Alas, it laid in ruin for quite awhile before being restored in the 1990's to a befitting splendor. Now, the eldest survivors are cared-for and flourish: one particular Dracaena Draco (Dragon Tree) is said to be 250+ years old (perhaps 400!)--its size and density shows it! Other huge trees also proclaim their longevity: a Schotia Afra (Hottentot's Bean) is held aloft by a scaffolding network due to its diameter; a pair of Ficus Macrophylla (Australian Banyan) towers and splays majestically with massive roots which act as jugular veins for these giants! Naturally, i could go on and on and on.... In short, indeed, the Jardim Botânico da Ajuda is so worth a trip to these outskirts of Lisbon! And at a measly €2, this is the cheapest form of attraction and relaxation--instant oxygen bar!--you're gonna find anywhere around...!! I cannot implore you enough to simply GO...!!! :D read more