Stretching on a surface of about 10 square kilometers, the Monsanto Forest Park (Parque Florestal de Monsanto) is the largest green space in Lisbon, such that it can be easily deemed the green lung of the city and of the adjoining localities. The spectacular side of the park does not reside exclusively in its being an ideal opportunity for nature lovers, since the park has been laid out with a solid leisure and sports infrastructure which gives visitors the opportunity to delight in practicing all sorts of outdoor activities, hiking included. Plenty of events (concerts, exhibitions, theater representations, and fairs) are organized here. On top of all that, the Monsanto Forest Park is an excellent lookout, occasioning visitors to contemplate the panoramic view of Lisbon, of the Tagus (Tejo) River, of the Atlantic Ocean and of the neighboring localities.

The park was laid out in the 1930s, as a result of the decision to implement an idea very popular in the second half of the 19th century, that is, to reforest the Monsanto Hills (Serra de Monsanto), previously devastated with respect to its nature patrimony by the intensive agricultural activities. At present, the park is a mix of ecosystems generated as a result of the introduction of new foreign species interacting with the specific climatic and geological features of the hills.

The Monsanto Forest Park is divided into several protected and leisure areas, of which the most notable are the Ecological Park (which stretches on a surface of 50 hectares), the Monsanto Municipal Camping Park and three leisure and theme parks (Parque do Alto da Serafina, Parque do Alvito and Parque dos Moinhos de Santana). There are also several picnic areas, such as the so-called Mata de Sao Domingos, Zona Recreativa do Calhau, Parque de Merendas do Alvito, Parque da Pedra, Parque de Merendas do Moinho do Penedo and Vila Guine. The park is also dotted with historical mills and abandoned quarries now covered with vegetation. One of the highest architectural structures can also be spotted in this park. We speak of the so-called Centro Emissor de Monsanto, a telecommunications tower owed by Portugal Telecom, a communications and multimedia company of Portugal.

A very pleasant way to reach the Monsanto Forest Park is to take the Green Corridor of Monsanto (Corredor Verde de Monsanto), also referred to as the Green Corridor of Lisbon, which links Praca dos Restauradores to the park. It is ideal for pedestrians and cyclists.

Name:
Monsanto Forest Park (Parque Florestal de Monsanto)
Address:
Parque Florestal de Monsanto, Lisbon, Portugal
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