Palácio de Cristal

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.

Jardin très agréable qui permet d’avoir une magnifique vue sur le Douro ! Il y a de très magnifique balade à faire dans cet endroit qui offre des points de vue Sublime point de vue sur Porto !
Les enfants trouveront leur bonheur avec des jeux et des animaux en liberté ! Les parents pourront profité d’un endroit calme loin de l agitation de la ville.
Je recommande de faire la visite de ce parc à différentes heures pour apprécier les différents paysages qu’offre Porto !

I wish Portugal was on Unilocal 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.

Si vous passez a Porto vous devez absolument vous y rendre, le palais de cristal n’ existe malheureusement plus mais le jardin qui l’entourait est tout simplement magnifique, avec en prime une vue imprenable sur les alentours. Vous pourrez y trouver plusieurs sortes de plantes et un jardin de roses tres joli. Il y a meme des paons en liberte !!