How to do a Portuguese style picnic in Lisbon: what to pack and where to go

Lisbon is an easy city for eating outside. The many kiosks you’ll come across around the city are proof of that, as are the esplanadas that cafés set up wherever they can claim a few square meters outdoors, even when that means borrowing some space from the sidewalk. 

Feat photo by Portugal Homes 

When the warmer months arrive, picnics also become common, ranging from simple drinks and a few snacks, particularly amongst younger people at the city’s most central green spots, to more elaborate spreads to feed the entire family, including sandwiches, fruit, savory snacks and drinks for adults and kids alike. If your birthday falls in spring or summer, you may even end up celebrating it in picnic format at one of Lisbon’s public gardens. And in places like Monsanto, where there are proper picnic areas and public barbecue facilities, the whole thing can become a hybrid between a packed lunch and an open-air cookout. 

Across Portugal, eating outdoors has long been associated with beach days, family outings, school trips, road journeys, countryside excursions, and even some religious festivities. Back in the day, picnics often ended up happening out of necessity, as people on the move would need to have a meal. Since the 19th century though, here in Portugal as elsewhere in Europe, picnics started being regarded as a recreational activity, and it even became fashionable to eat at gardens, while spending time in nature, enjoying some fresh air, as part of the urban leisure culture. 

Photo by MUST 

When planning a picnic during your trip in the Portuguese capital, keep in mind that Lisbon’s weather can be harsh, particularly from June to September, so head to places with shade. In this regard, keep in mind food safety and avoid soft cheeses, creamy pastries, mayonnaise-based salads and other things that would quickly spoil, especially if you do not have a cooler. 

In Lisbon, preparing a good picnic does not require cooking unless you actually feel like it. A neighborhood pastelaria can sort you out with typical Portuguese savory snacks, sandwiches and sweet pastries. A municipal market can provide things like fruit, cheese and olives. An old-school grocery store can supply tinned fish, crackers and Portuguese wine. Depending on where you go, especially in municipal gardens, nearby kiosks can also come in handy, either if you didn’t pack enough drinks or you’d simply like to keep having access to cold drinks as the picnic goes on. Also, in good Portuguese fashion, even if you are eating outdoors, many locals would like to have access to an espresso to round off their meal. 

As we love mixing leisure with food-oriented moments, we’re sharing with you this guide about how to have a picnic in Lisbon the Portuguese way: what to buy, what to pack, and where to go depending on whether you want a garden, a large park, a viewpoint or a riverside spot.  

What to pack for a Portuguese style picnic in Lisbon 

A good Portuguese picnic usually starts with bread, which is the foundation to enjoy other things like cheese, tinned fish and pâté. Papo secos or carcaças are the small white rolls you’ll find in almost any neighborhood bakery and even convenience stores. They are easy enough for sandwiches, but we would argue that the range of typical Portuguese breads includes more interesting options, such as rustic loaf pãode Mafra, with a chewy slightly sour crumb. Choose broa de milho, a dense corn bread from northern and central Portugal, if you are bringing stronger cheeses or canned sardines. Or get pão alentejano, a crusty wheat bread from the Alentejo, which goes wonderfully to dip into aromatic Portuguese olive oil, sheep’s cheese, or with something even as simple as sliced tomatoes, when they are in season. Across the city, you’ll come across good bread at supermarkets and bakeries, including a new wave of artisanal sourdough bakeries in Lisbon which sell special breads that are a little more expensive than the options you’ll find at regular stores, but worth the difference if you are into good quality baked goods.  

Photo by Continente 

In Lisbon, you truly do not need to go to a gourmet store to eat well outdoors. A regular neighborhood bakery can give you the base of the meal in five minutes, including bread, sandwiches, sweet pastries and a few savory snacks from the counter. Some bakeries will have sandes mistas, with ham and cheese, or more substantial things like sandes de panado, made with breaded fried pork or chicken cutlets tucked into a roll.  

Photo from Tavi  

At the savory pastry counter at bakeries and even supermarkets you will find things like rissóis, which are small half-moon pastries, usually filled with creamy shrimp or meat, coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden. Croquetes are cylindrical fritters made with minced meat bound into a rich filling, then breaded and fried. Pastéis de bacalhau, also called bolinhos de bacalhau in the north of Portugal, are fritters made with shredded salted cod, potato, parsley and egg, shaped by spoon and fried until lightly crisp. They are one of the great local snack foods because they taste almost like a typical Portuguese meal compressed into two or three bites. 

Empadas are also ideal for picnics, consisting of small pies with flaky or shortcrust pastry, most often filled with shredded chicken, even though nowadays you’ll find them with all sorts of fillings, including vegetarian ones. Chamuças, the Portuguese version of samosas, reflect Lisbon’s long connections with South Asian and African food cultures, and are usually filled with spiced chicken, meat or vegetables. Pães com chouriçoare bread rolls baked with slices of smoky Portuguese sausage inside, best eaten warm but still picnic-worthy at room temperature.  

Photo by João X on TripAdvisor 

If you want to make the picnic feel distinctly Lisbon rather than generically Portuguese, build it around a few local classics. That could include things like pastéis de massa tenra (pictured above), which are pastry fritters stuffed with minced meat from iconic fruit store and snack bar Frutalmeidas (Av. de Roma 45), in the neighborhood of Roma; beef croquetes from Califa in Benfica (Estr. de Benfica 463); or a bread bun stuffed with pataniscas, which are flat codfish fritters, from A Merendinha do Arco Bandeira (Rua dos Sapateiros 230), right downtown. 

Photo by Fórum Carviçais on Facebook 

Portuguese cheese is one of the easiest ways to make a picnic feel local and, thankfully, there’s plenty to explore. Queijo de Azeitão, from the Setúbal Peninsula just south of Lisbon, is a soft sheep’s milk cheese with a buttery, almost spoonable interior and a salty, slightly tangy flavor. It is excellent with crusty bread, but it is best if you are eating soon and the weather is not too hot. Queijo de Nisa, from the Alentejo, is firmer, earthy and better suited to carrying around. Queijo da Serra da Estrela, Portugal’s famous mountain sheep’s cheese, is rich and intense, but also risky in high summer. For warmer days, cured cheeses are usually the safest option. Look for queijos curados made from sheep, goat or cow’s milk, which are drier and will stay better for a while, even without refrigeration. Azorean cheeses, for example São Jorge cheese, are good picnic material as it is a firm cow’s milk cheese with a sharp, slightly spicy flavor. 

Photo by Foodie Gourmet on Instagram 

Portuguese cured meats are the natural next step after cheese, especially if you want a picnic that feels more like something locals would actually enjoy with bread and wine. Go for sliced presunto, Portugal’s dry-cured ham, which can be delicate or more intense depending on the region and curing time. Paio is also a good picnic option, as it’s easy to slice, as are chouriço, salpicão and linguiça, all cured sausages seasoned with garlic and paprika, often associated with the north and interior of Portugal. For hot days, sliced cured meats are usually safer and more practical than cooked meats, as long as you buy them shortly before the picnic, keep them wrapped, and avoid leaving them in direct sun. 

Olives and lupin beans (tremoços), usually eaten with beer, are also Portuguese picnic classics. Because they are easy to keep munching and fairly salty, they’ll make you want to open yet another drink. We would recommend visiting Lisbon’s markets to pick up things like pickles and other preserves, including fruit jams, which are generally a great complement to bread and cheese. 

Photo by NIT 

Tinned fish may be the smartest Portuguese picnic food of all. In many countries, canned fish is treated as emergency cupboard material. In Portugal, it can be that too, which is why it is a constant presence in the typical Portuguese pantry, but it is also a serious food culture of its own. Sardines in olive oil, mackerel in tomato sauce, tuna fillets, codfish in garlic, mussels in escabeche, and octopus can turn a loaf of bread into lunch with almost no effort. Bring a tin or two, some bread, and much needed napkins, and you are basically done. Fish pâtés, particularly made with tuna or sardines, are another very Portuguese picnic shortcut, and will allow you to enjoy the taste of seafood without the oily mess often associated with tins. Shops like Conserveira de Lisboa (Rua dos Bacalhoeiros 34), Loja das Conservas (Tv. do Cotovelo 6) or Miss Can(Largo do Contador Mor 17) can make the whole thing feel more special, but a decent supermarket tin also works.  

For something fresher, don’t forget to include some fruit and vegetables as you pack for your picnic. If you have access to a knife and a plate, tomatoes and cucumbers are great in the summer. If not, it’s best to stick to easy to eat fruits such as grapes, peaches and cherries, even though a Portuguese family would normally pack fruits to share like melon and watermelon, often cut into slices for the entire party using a pocket knife. 

Photo by Fabrica da Nata 

The sweet side of a Lisbon picnic can be as obvious or as interesting as you want. Pastéis de nata are the natural choice, and if you are picnicking in Belém, getting pastéis from Pastéis de Belém (Rua de Belém 84 92) is almost compulsory. If you are elsewhere in the city, some of the best pastelarias in Lisbon include Manteigaria (with several shops around town), Aloma (also with several locations), Versailles (Av. da República 15A), Nat’elier (Rua de Santa Justa 87), and Confeitaria Nacional (Praça da Figueira 18B). The important thing is to eat the custard tarts fresh, ideally purchased on that same day, to ensure the puff pastry is still crispy. 

Photo by Martins & Martins 

But do not stop at custard tarts. Bolo de arroz is a tall, cylindrical rice-flour cake with a slightly grainy crumb and a sugary top, super easy to transport. Pão de Deus is a soft milk bun topped with a moist coconut and egg mixture, very good for a picnic, as it can be eaten on its own or stuffed with cheese and meat slices. Queijadas are small cheese or milk-based tarts, especially associated with places like Sintra but easy to find in Lisbon. Areias (pictured above) are crumbly butter cookies, often linked with Cascais, and they survive travel better than cream-filled pastries. If there is one thing you can count on, it is that,, no matter where you go shopping, whether it is a pastelaria or an actual supermarket, you’ll have plenty of typical Portuguese pastries you can buy for your picnic. 

Drinks should match the mood, the heat and the distance you have to walk. Water is non-negotiable, particularly if your chosen picnic spot requires climbing, which in Lisbon is not exactly rare. For soft drinks, Sumolis the classic Portuguese fizzy drink, especially in orange or pineapple flavors, while Compal fruit juices are a familiar presence in cafés, school bags and beach coolers across the country. Iced tea is common, but it is usually the bottled or canned type, not homemade. For alcohol, keep it simple and light, with beer, vinho verde, a crisp white wine or rosé. Vinho verde is especially picnic-friendly because it is fresh, lightly spritzy and made for warm weather.  

Photo by Portugal Experiment 

Even while picnicking, you can still partake in Lisbon’s café culture. If your picnic is happening in Jardim da Estrela, Jardim do Príncipe Real, Campo Grande, Ribeira das Naus or another area with kiosks nearby, the best plan may be to bring the food and buy drinks on site. That gives you access to cold beer, soft drinks and things like freshly squeezed juices, as well as coffee, without having to carry all of that around. 

Besides your food, don’t forget to pack some napkins, ideally a small knife, cups, a corkscrew if wine is involved, a bag for rubbish and some sunscreen to keep you safe in case your picnic spot isn’t fully under the shade. 

Best places for a picnic in Lisbon 

There is no single “best picnic spot in Lisbon”, because that depends on the kind of vibe you are going for, but there are some places that are popular for good reason. A full family-style spread needs shade, space and ideally a bench or table nearby. A quick sunset picnic can work with a viewpoint, a few snacks and cold drinks. A riverside picnic is better when the food is simple and easy to eat with your hands. Some gardens are made for lingering, while others are better for a coffee, a pastry and a short break before moving on. Lisbon gives you all of these options, so it’s up to you to choose what works best for the kind of day you have in mind. 

Classic Lisbon picnic spots 

Jardim da Estrela 

Photo by Expedia 

Jardim da Estrela (Praça da Estrela) is one of Lisbon’s favorite picnic gardens, especially if you want something central, green and easy to enjoy without too much planning. Right in front of Basílica da Estrela, this is a proper neighborhood garden where you’ll see families with children, older locals chatting on benches, couples sitting on the grass, people walking dogs, and groups hanging out over coffee. There is shade, there are benches, there is usually enough life around to make the place feel cheerful without becoming chaotic, and the kiosk can help with cold drinks, coffee or something extra if your picnic supplies run short. 

As there are plenty of shops and bakeries nearby, a picnic at Jardim da Estrela could easily be improvised without much prior organization. This location is also about a ten minute walk from Mercado de Campo de Ourique (Rua Coelho da Rocha 47), a municipal market where you could get all your supplies, including sourdough bread, tinned fish, cheese and fresh fruit, without having to step into a more generic supermarket. If you feel like having some wine, on the way, you could also stop by Garrafeira Campo de Ourique (Rua Tomás da Anunciação 29A) and select a bottle. 

 Jardim do Príncipe Real 

Photo by LISBOA 

Jardim do Príncipe Real, officially called Jardim França Borges (Praça do Príncipe Real), is one of the best classic options for a relaxed Lisbon picnic, particularly if your idea of picnicking includes the possibility of buying cold drinks nearby instead of carrying everything yourself. The garden sits right in the middle of one of Lisbon’s trendiest neighborhoods, but besides groups of friends and a mix of local and international people, you’ll also find families who come with children because of the on-site playground, as well as people from the area walking their dogs. There is plenty of life in the garden itself, as well as the kiosks and surrounding cafés. 

This is a good spot for a picnic that mixes packed food with Lisbon’s kiosk culture. Bring bread, cheese, fruit, savory pastries or sandwiches, then get coffee, lemonade, or a beer from the kiosk if you want to keep things easy. The shade is a major advantage, especially during warmer months, and the location makes it simple to pick up food nearby before sitting down. You are close to bakeries, grocery shops, cafés and specialty food stores, so this can be either a planned picnic or a spontaneous situation. This spot is literally a two minute walk from Queijaria (Rua do Monte Olivete 40), a store that specializes in high-quality cheeses from Portugal and abroad, so grab some bread to go with it, ideally a knife, and you’ve got yourself a cheese-focused picnic without much effort. On Saturday mornings, this garden also hosts a farmersmarket which can make it easier to pack some fresh things, particularly fruits, but do keep in mind that the area is busier when the market is going on.  

Tapada das Necessidades 

Photo by LISBOA 

In the neighborhood of Alcântara, behind the Palácio das Necessidades, Tapada das Necessidades (Calçada das Necessidades) is a less obvious choice for most international visitors, but great if you want a large green space surrounded mostly by locals. It has history, views, trees, quiet corners and enough space to feel like you have stepped out of the city without actually leaving it. 

A picnic here can be more generous as there is plenty of space both on the lawn, and also a few tables with benches. If you decide to shop for supplies in the area, browse the stores along Rua Prior do Crato, where sourdough bakery Gleba has a shop (Rua Prior do Crato 16), and where wine bar and store Arinto (Rua Prior do Crato 48) will have a much better selection of labels than regular supermarkets. That being said, there is also a Continente Bom Dia supermarket on the same street, where you could pick up most basics. If you are planning to eat it right away, you could even get a prego packed from O Palácio (Rua Prior do Crato 142), which, despite being a seafood restaurant, has a good reputation for its iconic Portuguese meat sandwiches.  

Jardim do Torel 

Photo by Visit Lisboa on Facebook 

Jardim do Torel (Rua Júlio de Andrade) is better for a compact picnic than a full feast, but it’s still an option worth considering as it has plenty of shade, a quieter atmosphere than the more famous viewpoints, but incredible city views nonetheless. Located above Avenida da Liberdade, it is a good place for a light picnic with food that can be eaten easily, such as sandwiches, pastries, fruit or a few savory snacks. It works especially well if you are staying around Avenida, Campo Mártires da Pátria or Arroios. 

We would recommend packing your snacks and drinks before coming here, as there isn’t all that much right nearby. If after picnicking at Jardim do Torel you feel like moving a little, but still enjoy more shaded areas, we would recommend walking to Jardim do Campo Santana, also known as Jardim Braancamp Freire, where there are places for coffee and drinks, as well as a playground for kids. If you didn’t pack dessert but feel like ending with something sweet, visit Mú (Campo dos Mártires da Pátria 50) and explore their wonderful range of ice cream, including plant-based and sugar-free options. 

Riverfront picnic spots in Lisbon 

Lisbon’s riverfront is ideal for casual picnics but, because these are usually busy areas, do not expect you’ll be able to spread a blanket and lay out a full meal. Think more along the lines of sandwiches, pastries, fruit and cold drinks, food that is practical and unlikely to fly off if it gets windy as it sometimes does by the waterfront. 

Ribeira das Naus 

Photo by Lisbonne Idée 

Ribeira das Naus is one of the easiest places in central Lisbon for an informal riverside picnic. The wide steps between Praça do Comércio and Cais do Sodré are made for sitting and, why not, snacking. While this is the kind of area where you’ll mostly see tourists, around lunchtime, if the weather is nice, you’ll also come across some locals who work nearby, enjoying a practical packed lunch. Later in the afternoon, the area fills with people watching the river, drinking something cold, and enjoying those wonderfully long and golden sunsets that summer in Lisbon has gotten us used to. 

Once again, it is not the place for unpacking a full family meal, but it’s a great spot to enjoy sandwiches, savory snacks, fruit and pastries, or a few things picked up in Baixa or around Cais do Sodré. Because the area is central, you can easily buy food before arriving, or rely on nearby cafés and kiosks for drinks. Ribeira das Naus works especially well for travelers who want a quick picnic moment between sightseeing, without leaving the downtown area. As bakeries and stores nearby know this, they’ll have plenty of ready-made sandwiches you can purchase to eat here while you enjoy some fresh air. For a distinctly Portuguese sandwich, we recommend grabbing something from A Nova Pombalina (Rua do Comércio 2), which stuffs crusty rolls with proper cheeses cut by knife, regional smoked meats, and not the generic ham and cheese you’ll find in most places. They also have wonderful freshly squeezed juices, featuring a blend of fruits of the day, that will complement your sandwich beautifully. 

Belém 

Photo by Piquenique em Lisboa on TripAdvisor 

Belém riverfront gardens are among the most obvious picnic spots in Lisbon, but obvious does not mean overrated. Belém has monuments, wide lawns, river views, museums, cafés and one of the city’s most famous pastry stops. You can visit the Jerónimos Monastery, walk toward the river, pick up something to eat, and turn the whole outing into a slow outdoor lunch. 

Food-wise, this is where pastéis de nata are almost compulsory. Getting warm pastéis from Pastéis de Belém and eating them nearby may be touristy, but it’s also genuinely enjoyable and it’s something that Lisboners still do when they visit this part of Lisbon. To balance the sugar with something savory, pack sandwiches, empadas, croquetes, fruit, cheese, or snacks before arriving. Belém is a good choice for families and first-time visitors because it has space, flat walking areas and several places nearby for extra food and drinks, as well as coffee. 

Jardim Vasco da Gama (Rua Vieira Portuense) and Jardim da Praça do Império are the best picnic spots in Belém. These gardens are close to the Jerónimos Monastery and the main Belém attractions, so they are convenient. Sitting at Jardim da Torre de Belém (Av. de Brasília) would be a better option if you prefer to be even closer to the river, and there’s still plenty of space to enjoy. As this is an area dedicated to monuments, there aren’t that many shops nearby, so plan a little and pack accordingly, knowing that you clearly do not need to pack any custard tarts before coming here. 

 Parque das Nações 

Photo by PROAP 

Parque das Nações riverfront offers a completely different Lisbon picnic mood. Instead of old gardens, monuments and tiled façades, you get wide pavements, modern architecture, long flat walks, public art and open views of the river. It is less traditional and more spacious, which can be exactly what you want if you are picnicking with children, cycling, walking for a while, or simply tired of climbing hills. 

Because Parque das Nações has plenty of cafés, shopping areas and supermarkets nearby, it is one of the easiest places in Lisbon for a last-minute picnic. Step inside the shopping mall Centro Vasco da Gama (Av. Dom João II 40) and get anything you feel like, either at the hypermarket or from the many stores and restaurants at the food court. If you are health conscious, you could look into the savory snacks sold at Celeiro, including pies with lentils and seaweed. If you like meat and are going to eat right away, a juicy pork steak sandwich from Bifanas de Vendas Novas would be hard to beat.  

If you feel like a digestive walk after eating, the riverfront in Parque das Nações is flat, wide and made for wandering. You can walk along the Tagus past the Oceanário, the Pavilhão de Portugal, the gardens and public art left from Expo 98, or head north toward the Torre Vasco da Gama and the Parque Tejo area. If you feel like walking further, continue east and north along the riverside paths toward Parque do Tejo and the Trancão area, justifying dessert once you turn back toward Oriente. The Telecabine Lisboa is another option if you want to see this part of the riverfront from above, running for about 1.2 km between the area near the Oceanário and the old Torre Vasco da Gama, with views over the Tagus and Parque das Nações.  

Viewpoint picnics and hilltop snacks 

Lisbon’s most popular viewpoints are tempting picnic spots, but they need to be approached with a little realism. Many of them are better for a quick snack than a full picnic, especially when they are crowded, steep to reach, or short on comfortable places to sit. This is where you bring food you can eat with one hand, like a simple sandwich or a pastry. 

 Miradouro da Senhora do Monte 

Photo by Brasília na Trilha 

Miradouro da Senhora do Monte (Largo Monte) has one of the most impressive views in Lisbon, which also means you will rarely have it to yourself. From up here, the city opens wide, including views of the castle, the river, the downtown grid, the hills, and the bridge in the distance. It is a great place for a short picnic moment, especially in the late afternoon, but it is not the most comfortable place for a long meal. Seating is limited, shade is not generous, and the climb will make you question every unnecessary item in your bag. 

Keep the food compact and don’t forget to bring plenty of water, even though there’s usually a small food truck parked around here, selling cold drinks, fresh lemonade and coffee. The best approach would be to get something down in Graça, where there are neighborhood shops, supermarkets, and bakeries with whatever you may need for a picnic here. Saga (Largo da Graça 135), a traditional pastelaria in the neighborhood, would be a good option for sandwiches, savory snacks like stuffed puff pastries with things like sausage or ham and cheese, fritters and pies, as well as delicious sweets, including flaky croissants with generous fillings.  

Miradouro da Graça and Jardim da Cerca da Graça 

Photo by NIT 

Miradouro da Graça (Calçada da Graça) and Jardim da Cerca da Graça work better if you want to linger. The miradouro itself has the classic view, the church, the terrace and the steady flow of people who came for the same reason you did. It is lovely, but it can get busy. For a more comfortable picnic, head to nearby Jardim da Cerca da Graça (Calçada do Monte), pictured above, one of the largest green spaces in Lisbon’s historic center. It gives you more room, more grass, and a better chance of actually sitting down without feeling like you are blocking someone’s photograph. 

This area is scenic but still practical, with plenty of shops to grab food and snacks nearby, but also with kiosks both at the miradouro and in the garden, to grab some cold drinks or coffee from. If you like beer and are curious to explore Portuguese craft beers, we recommend visiting 8a Colina Graça (Rua Damasceno Monteiro 8A) and grabbing a couple of bottles for your picnic. Some of their most distinct beer options include Dias de Bazófia with pear and cinnamon, Barrica Lourinhã aged for 10 months in aguardente barrels from Adega Cooperativa da Lourinhã, and Vila Berta, a classic IPA named as a tribute to the iconic neighborhood of Graça which gives the beer its name, and that comes especially alive every June during the popular festivities dedicated to St. Anthony. 

Miradouro do Parque Eduardo VII 

Photo by Lisbon Property 

Parque Eduardo VII is a better choice if you want a viewpoint picnic without fighting for space at one of Lisbon’s most crowded miradouros. Once at the park you can pick your spot according to your mood, including the wide central lawns, the quieter side areas if you are looking for shade, or Jardim Amália Rodrigues (Alameda Cardeal Cerejeira) garden at the top, where you can sit near the fountain and feel slightly removed from the traffic below. But we are particularly fond of the miradouro at the top of Parque Eduardo VII, with views that open straight down toward Marquês de Pombal, Avenida da Liberdade, Baixa and the river. If you are staying around Marquês, Saldanha or Picoas, this is a wonderful spot any time of the day. 

This is also a good option if you want a more curated picnic as department store El Corte Inglés (Av. António Augusto de Aguiar 31) is nearby. Its supermarket is excellent for products you do not always find elsewhere, including international ingredients, great cheeses, wines, crackers, fruit, ready-to-eat items and more selected picnic snacks. The Club del Gourmet section is useful if you want to spend a little more on specific delicacies, and there are often pop-up counters with sweets or savory things that can easily be added to your spread. The park is also home to Estufa Fria, Lisbon’s historic greenhouse garden, so you can combine the picnic with a visit if you want to make more of the outing.  

Big green escapes inside Lisbon 

Some Lisbon picnics call for more than a pretty bench and a view. If you are planning a proper spread, especially with children or a larger group of friends, you need space. Lisbon has several larger parks where you can sit for longer, spread out a little, and make things feel like a proper picnic and not just a quick snack outdoors. 

 Monsanto 

Photo by Time Out Lisboa 

Monsanto Forest Park is the closest Lisbon gets to a proper countryside picnic without leaving the city. It is huge, green, and much wilder than the manicured gardens downtown. This is where locals go for walks, runs, bike rides, birthday gatherings, children’s parties, dog walks and long Sunday afternoons outdoors. It is also one of the best places in Lisbon for a more traditional family-style picnic, because there is room to settle in properly. 

Monsanto works well if you want to bring more than just sandwiches. This is the place for bread, cheese, olives, charcuterie, fruit, pastries, salads, drinks and all the things that would feel excessive at a viewpoint. This is a well-known spot for birthday picnics, so seeing a group singing happy birthday and cutting into a birthday cake is not uncommon. Some areas have picnic tables which obviously help with parties, but also public barbecue facilities, which means your picnic can become a proper outdoor meal with grilled food, especially if you are going with locals who know exactly where to set up. Do keep in mind that barbecuing is not allowed between the 1st of July and the 30th of September, to help prevent accidents during peak fire season. Monsanto is not the easiest place to improvise once you are inside. Bring what you need, including water, napkins, bags for rubbish and anything that requires cutting or opening. On the flip side, if you are traveling by car, you can get here with all your supplies comfortably.  

Mata de Alvalade 

Photo by Time Out Lisboa 

If you are looking for a local place that rarely gets mentioned in the average Lisbon tourist guide, we would recommend Mata de Alvalade, also known as Parque José Gomes Ferreira (Rua Alferes Malheiro 1), which is a green area tucked between residential areas, schools, sports facilities and busy roads. You will not stumble upon it by accident, but if you’d like to have a picnic on a spot with plenty of trees, open areas, walking paths and a neighborhood atmosphere, with people exercising, walking dogs, taking children out, or simply using the park as part of their daily routine, this one’s hard to beat. 

For a picnic, Mata de Alvalade is best if you are staying or moving around the Alvalade, Roma, Areeiro or Entrecampos area. This part of Lisbon is excellent for food shopping in a very practical, local way, with bakeries, cafés, grocery shops, fruit shops and the Mercado de Alvalade Norte (Av. Rio de Janeiro) nearby. That means you can easily put together a picnic with plenty of local products and pick up some drinks before entering the park. For additional cold beverages and coffee, there is a kiosk inside Mata de Alvalade called Forest Terrace, where they also sell sandwiches and ice cream. Do not come here expecting views but if you enjoy quieter areas, green and unpretentious, you can have a great time at Mata de Alvalade. 

Jardim do Campo Grande 

Photo by Paula S on TripAdvisor 

Jardim do Campo Grande, officially named Jardim Mário Soares, is one of the best picnic spots for seeing a more everyday side of Lisbon. Located between Alvalade, Entrecampos and Cidade Universitária, this long garden isn’t usually high on visitors’ lists, being used mostly by students, families, office workers, and people from the surrounding neighborhoods. It has lawns, trees, benches, kiosks, playground areas and enough space to feel relaxed even though it is right in the middle of the city and between major traffic roads. 

This is also one of the best picnic spots if you want to shop like someone who actually lives in this part of Lisbon. Instead of relying on whatever is closest to the tourist center, we recommend heading toward Alvalade before entering the garden. Mercado de Alvalade Norte is still a proper neighborhood market, known for fresh produce and especially good fish stalls, but also useful for fruit, bread, cheese, olives and snacks. Avenida da Igreja is also full of cafés, pastry shops and small food businesses, so this can easily become a picnic built from several stops rather than one supermarket run. Thankfully, there’s more than sitting on the grass and eating at Jardim do Campo Grande. There is a lake, wide paths, kiosks, playground areas and enough benches and shaded corners to make it work for different kinds of picnics.  

Quinta das Conchas 

Photo by De Manta no Sofá 

Quinta das Conchas (Alameda da Linha das Torres) is another excellent choice if you want a larger, greener picnic spot away from the obvious tourist circuit. Located in Lumiar, in northern Lisbon, it is spacious, leafy and very popular with local families, joggers, dog walkers and people who live nearby. For visitors staying in the historic center, it may feel slightly out of the way, but it’s super easy to get to by metro. 

For food, Quinta das Conchas works best when you arrive mostly prepared, but not necessarily over-organized. The park is right by the yellow metro line, so you can pick up supplies before getting off or shop around Lumiar, where you’ll find regular bakeries, cafés, supermarkets and small neighborhood stores. To keep things practical, you could go to the supermarket Pingo Doce Parque Europa, which is right beside Quinta das Conchas metro station. Once inside the park, there are some picnic tables and benches in shaded areas, but there’s also plenty of space if you want to put down a blanket on the grass. Quinta das Conchas is especially good for picnics and hanging out after eating because it is a real neighborhood park with enough going on to keep different people happy. The park is divided into distinct areas, including wide lawns, wooded sections and the Quinta dos Lilases side, and it is one of Lisbon’s larger green spaces. There are playgrounds, walking paths, a dog park, a lake, and a restaurant where you can fall back on drinks, coffee or at least ice cream to end your picnic on a sweet note. On warmer days, you may even see children dipping their feet in the water features, even though that isn’t officially allowed. 

Parque da Bela Vista 

Photo by Coultourista 

Parque da Bela Vista (Av. Alameda Gago Coutinho) is a large space known to many people because of big events such as music festivals, but it is also a useful green space for picnics when you want more room rather than charm. It has wide grassy areas and open views, but it feels less romantic and manicured when compared with places like Estrela or Príncipe Real.  

This is a good spot for a picnic, whether you choose to sit on the lawn or use their facilities which include wooden tables and benches, as well as barbecue areas. There are shaded areas but not all over the park, so pack your food keeping this in mind, especially if you are not planning to eat right away. As Bela Vista is open and can feel exposed, it is usually better in the morning, late afternoon or early evening, particularly in summer. Because there is plenty of space, a post-picnic nap can easily be achieved here without anyone bothering you. If you prefer something more active, you can walk around, come with a rented bike if you’d like to take advantage of the cycling paths, or, if you have kids, visit the playground area. 

Other picnic spots near Lisbon 

Even though this guide focuses on Lisbon itself, we would still like to mention that there are places close enough to Lisbon worth considering for a picnic, and thankfully you can reach them using public transportation. You could, for example, cross the river to Cacilhas and walk toward Ginjal for one of the best views back over Lisbon, especially in the late afternoon.  

Photo by New in Setubal  

For beach-style picnics, places like Carcavelos and Costa da Caparica are the obvious extensions of Lisbon life in the warmer months. Of course spending a day at the beach Portuguese style involves food, but it should be simple options like sandwiches, crisps, fruit and drinks. At the beach during warmer months you will normally find street vendors selling Portuguese-style doughnuts filled with egg jam (bolas de Berlim, pictured above), so at least the sweet part of your picnic is covered. 

If you want to go a little further, you could also consider Sintra, Cascais, Arrábida or Mafra, which have plenty of areas to enjoy picnics. For more ideas beyond the city, check our guide to the best day trips from Lisbon that us locals also enjoy.  

Want more Lisbon food ideas that go beyond restaurant reservations and the usual travel checklist? Follow Taste of Lisboa on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest Lisbon food guides, cultural stories and insider recommendations straight to your inbox. 

Feed your curiosity on Portuguese food culture:

Local guide to the best viewpoints in Lisbon

Comporta travel guide for food lovers

How to connect with local culture in Lisbon and Portugal

Real people, real food. Come with us to where the locals go.

Signup for our natively curated food & cultural experiences.

Follow us for more at  Instagram, Twitter e Youtube