It does feel a little bit silly to be reviewing a free public park, but you know what, it was on my itinerary specifically, so why not? Unfortunately, I got here just slightly too late to properly enjoy the gardens themselves, as there were a *lot* of great art galleries to stop at on the way nearby (intentionally), so as it was already starting to get dark when we got here. But that is also a great time to enjoy the view back over the river and the heart of Porto from above on the hill. It was also a great time, until it got fully dark and they all went to sleep, to see, basically right when we walked in, a bunch of ducks, a handful of large geese (cool, but we gave them a wide space; geese have an attitude and you could tell they knew they could walk wherever they liked!), even a couple peacocks (though I would later learn, the best place in Portugal to see peacocks by far would be the castle in Lisbon, which has a whole huge flock of them.) Would I pay to get in? Probably not. But I also didn't have to; it's a free public park. :D read more

A gem of a park for everyone! A gem for the watchers, the walkers, the water lovers, the scenery soakers, the park sleepers, the picnic partiers, the everyones! Get lost by your curiosity. Walk and walk, bring your creative photo eye since some of the best views of the river can be found here. Public restrooms, often food vendors. A Porto staple to visit. read more

Tranquil gardens, plenty of peacocks and other birds, great views over the city and the river too. Only one cafe was open, limited snacks on offer read more

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This was one of my favorite places to visit while in Porto and lucky for me it was across the street from where I was staying. It is a large, beautiful, relaxing park with picturesque views of the river & city. I went a few times because there are so many different paths/nooks & crannies to explore. You will also see a few peacocks, roosters & other birds. There are many places to sit and take in the views or relax with a book. There is even an area with equipment to exercise. It's also a popular spot to chill and watch the sunset. It's definitely a place to visit while in Porto. It's such a magical place! read more

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A beautiful and large park overlooking Porto with unique corners and friendly animals. The park is huge and has playgrounds for lines, bathrooms and a scenic view of the city. It's closed at sunset and there are no lights to help you get back so make sure you know the way. There are peacocks and ducks and plenty of nature , enjoy a long walk or a picnic there when the weather permits read more

One of my favorite adventures during our trip to Portugal. It was sprinkling rain all day, which made for cooler weather and less crowds. The rain did not take away from the majestic views, luckily. This park is a short walk from the main tourist drags and it includes a stadium that houses some food and drink spots, fountains, ponds, statues, and the famous PORTO sculpture/sign, just waiting for selfie ops. I had no idea this was a bird sanctuary of sorts. So many gorgeous peacocks just following us around in droves. Well worth a stop when in Porto. You've gotta work off those francesinha sandwiches somehow, right? read more

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Jardim do Palacio de Cristal is a beautiful park in the middle of Porto. It's a bit of a walk away from the touristy areas of the city, but it provides a quiet place to walk, contemplate, and watch the city from afar. The park has several nooks with little gems. There were some manicured gardens with statues that remind me of scenes from books about the deep south of the US. There's even a small rose garden. The park provides some fabulous views of the Duoro River. This park is even home to a few peacocks. When I visited, the dome was closed due to construction. However, it's still worth a stroll off the beaten path. read more

Palácio de Cristal - Parks Near Me - Porto, 13

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This park was beautiful. We came a sunset and it was very enjoyable. The layout is simple: a central rotunda with small offshoots with picnic areas and water fountains. The Crystal Palace Garden is at the center. It's green hue that adds to the illusion of it. The actual Crystal Palace was destroyed in the 1950s. The grounds have a beautiful sign that says "PORTO" in which people line up to photograph. This particular day we went there was a book fair. One could find almost any book in Portuguese there. For English speakers, there was a small tent available. The park also boasts an amphitheater for small concerts. Adjacent to the amphitheater is a smaller pond with seating and bridges to walk over. It's quiet and inviting. There are ducks, fish, and beautiful peacocks that roam the grounds. My children loved it. It was a spectacular way to end the afternoon. If you're looking for something inexpensive and relaxing to do that is child friendly, we highly recommend this spot. We love it. read more

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It was about an hour before the sun set: feeding time. The birds were hungry. Starving swans stalked the lawns, beady eyes trained to the ground. Ducks flapped their wings, breaking the peaceful surface of pond water, and again dove down for their dinner. A fat white duck waddled up. "Chicken sandwich, chicken sandwich," the portly duck seemed to squawk in his low quack. The gardens of the Crystal Palace, like the João Chagas Garden, was designed in the 1860's by German landscape architect Emile David. Overlooking the Douro River, these gardens are much bigger and filled with birds, ponds, artwork, and amazing trees. Chestnut, lime, Lawson's cypress, European beech and pedunculate oak are just some of the monumental ancients living along the Crystal Palace's many avenues and viewpoints. On a rainy late afternoon in January, it was just me and the birds. In the warmer months, I imagine these gardens would be a great place for a date. An escape within the city, together in nature, the plant life and vistas... it sounds romantic to me. And if you're more in the mood for solo meditation, maybe bring a book and a chicken sandwich. read more

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I wish Portugal was on Yelp when I lived here 4.5 months. I explored so much of the city. The Palacio de Cristal was a favorite spot. Even though parts appear worn down, it has a certain charm. There's the band shell where my friends held outdoor swing dances. As you wind further down, you can see Porto's bridges spanning the Douro from multiple angles. There's a playground and exercise equipment where I trained solo and with a friend. I may have also chased peacocks. If you need a place to walk around, contemplate, hold hands with a friends, train aerials, exercise, this is it. read more

This is a great park. Tons of different areas to explore. Lots of great views of the Douro. There are some a few spots that would be excellent for taking in a sunset. For kids, I noticed at least 1 playground. I spotted a few peacocks and ducks while wandering around. At one point, a huge seagull scared the sh*t out of me. As it is springtime, there were some trees and flowers in bloom. Definitely recommend as a nice place to wander around, take in some views and relax. read more

Palacio de Cristal or Crystal Palace (I wish that South London football team used its Portuguese equivalent) is well worth checking out. It is a short walk away from the Torre dos Clerigos and the hustle of Porto's main tourist sites plus it was free to enter. Rather than one garden collection of gardens as opposed to a single entity. Through the vegetation there are great views of Porto, there was even a couple of peacocks strutting around! read more

The Palacio de Cristal has the most beautiful gardens, with a pleasant view to the Douro River! It's a great place to relax, and enjoy fres air! read more

Great views to the city! Here you can find open gardens such as more intimate corners. Really pleasant place to hang out in!