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The best independent guide to Lisbon
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Parque Florestal Monsanto Park, Lisbon Guide
The Parque Florestal Monsanto (Monsanto Forest Park) is a sprawling forest to the west of Lisbon. This large urban forest covers over fifty hectares and offers a diverse range of plant, wildlife and activities.
The better side of the park is to the east, with sports complexes, children play areas and shaded walks and cycle paths. South of the IC15 road, which cut through the park, are pleasant forest walks and views over the Tejo Estuary.
The centre and highest point of Monsanto forest is sadly quite grim and best avoided, as it contains an army barracks and a high-security prison complex.
There are many forested walks that cross Monsanto park
Highlights of Monsanto forest
There is a lot to see within the park, and some of the highlights include:
The Alvito Park - An enormous free adventure area for toddlers and young children. This is the best free activity for young children in Lisbon.
Estrada da Bela Vista - A scenic road where one lane has been converted into a cycle path and footpath. The route also passes the Panorâmico de Monsanto, site of an abandoned 1970 hotel and the best viewpoint of the park.
Parque Recreativo do Alto da Serafina - Originally known as Indians Park, there are forest walks, picnic areas and one of Lisbon’s original children’s playgrounds.
The Fronteira Palace - A grand 17th-century palace surrounded by beautiful gardens
Hello Park - An excellent children’s amusement park designed for 4-9-year-olds with many exciting rides features. Cost €9 per hour per child - hellopark.pt
The Pista Rádio Modelismo de Monsanto - A remote control car racing track, great to see if there are cars racing! The site is managed by Clube de Radiomodelismo de Benfica (CRB)
Moinhos de Santana park – Green area with two windmills at the summit.
The Montes Claros gardens – Relaxing gardens with duck lake
The Marques de Fronteira Palace on the northern side of the forest
Parque Florestal Monsanto Lisbon Tourist Guide
The Parque Florestal Monsanto Lisbon is to the western side of Lisbon, just north of Belem and lies within the city limits. This means that the entire area is easily accessible from the tourist areas of Lisbon and is an enjoyable area to explore for half a day. There are many bus services which run through the park, the most useful are services 723 and 729.
Bus service 723 departs from the Marquis Pombal square and pulls in along the A5 ring road at Montes Claros at a central location, there are a minimum of 4 services an hour with the last service around 20:00. Bus service 729 covers more of the park but departs from the Belem district, there are between 3-5 services and hour during working hours.
History of the Serra de Monsanto
The Parque Florestal Monsanto Lisbon was original conceived in 1934 by the Portuguese Secretary for Public Works, Duarte Pacheco, who was concerned by the rapid pace of urban growth within Lisbon. He proclaimed that the “forest” which had become eroded and de-forested be replanted and protected.
The grueling work of re-planting the forest was performed by prisoners from Monsanto Fort and was completed in 1938. The park, previous to its creation in 1930, was extensively mined and quarried for limestone which was throughout Lisbon during the 18th-19th centuries.
These queries have been long been abandoned and are now completely covered in lush vegetation. Between the quarries the land was intensively farmed for crops and live stock to feed the growing city of Lisbon. The importance of the cereal production can be noted by the remains of windmills which dotted the tops of the windswept hills.
The Serra de Monsanto was incorporated into the defensive positions of Lisbon called West Field Entrenched Lisbon. The defensive lines constructed between the late nineteenth and early twentieth century composed of strong redoubts, posts, batteries and other fortifications.
In January 1919, the Parque Florestal Monsanto was the scene of the Escalade Monsanto battle in which volunteer forces that had revolted against the monarchy occupied the heights of mountains and fought against the republican forces. This failed attempt by the revolting forces to control Lisbon galvanised the monarchist into the restoration movement which became known as the North Monarchy.
As the hills of the Serra de Monsanto are the highest of Lisbon the hills have become dotted with multiple antennas. The broadcasting station of Monsanto, is one of the tallest structures in Portugal at a height of 100 meters.
Monsanto Municipal Campsite
(Contact: +351 21 762 8200)
Lisbon’s main camp site is a very large campsite and is professionally operated by many uniformed staff, providing a quality service at a good price. There are 400 good pitches include 170 serviced pitches on concrete hard standings. There is a huge separate area for tents and 70 chalet style bungalows are available for hire. Central Lisbon can be reached by a regular bus service which continues late into the night.
There is a very high level of security at the campsite and all visitors who do not have a pitch have to present identification before being allowed entrance to the site. The facilities are of a very high standard cleaned regularly and faults repaired rapidly.
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