Springtime Flowers in Sintra and Lisbon April 2026

Portugal is particularly beautiful in springtime and this tour of the gardens of Sintra and Lisbon is certain to be full of flowers. The Atlantic breezes temper the warmth of the sun, creating a climate that is neither too hot nor too cool, but instead perfectly balanced for wandering through gardens and historic estates. The moist air drifting in from the ocean ensures that flowers thrive, producing a dazzling display of colour and fragrance across Lisbon and Sintra. This is the season when camellias, azaleas and wisteria unfurl their petals, and the gardens of palaces and monasteries come alive after the dark days of winter.

Elegance and formality

The Brightwater holiday begins in Lisbon, where the Palacio de Fronteira gardens set the tone with their elegant terraces and tiled fountains. Here, the artistry of Portuguese horticulture is on full display, blending formal design with exuberant planting. The Estufa Fria, a lush indoor botanical garden, offers a different kind of wonder with its extraordinary wooden lathed roof which provides shelter from any extremes of climate. Here shade pathways wind beneath towering ferns and exotic specimens, a reminder of how Portugal’s maritime history brought plants from across the globe to its shores.

A visit to the Lisbon Botanic Gardens of Ajuda, home to over 10,000 in 10 acres, shows how this green oasis provides peace in the Principe real neighbourhood of the city. These gardens are a vital part of the University of Lisbon’s teaching resource, as a living collection which has been amassed since its foundation in 1768. Equally historic are the French-style gardens of the Queluz Palace with their formal layout and extraordinary Azulejos tiles. And in an equally grand style is the Marquês de Pombal Garden planted around a monument featuring the Marquês himself and commemorating his transformational influence on the city of Lisbon in the second half of the 1700s.

Away to the wooded hills

Up in the hills of Sintra, the mood shifts to romance and mystery. The Monserrate Palace gardens are a masterpiece of eclectic design, where roses mingle with subtropical species, nurtured by the region’s gentle rainfall. The nearby Quinta da Regaleira, with its grottoes, wells and shaded walks, feels like a fairy tale brought to life. Spring’s soft light and abundant growth heighten the sense of enchantment, making every corner a discovery. Equally spectacular is the Pena Palace which blends Baroque, Renaissance and Gothic architecture set amidst a beautiful woodland park planted with a glorious array of exotic trees and shrubs.

Exploring further afield to Caldas da Rainha, this gardens tours takes in Parque D. Carlos I named after the Portuguese monarch. The park has a wonderful collection of sculpture and features arranged in the leafy grounds.

The climate of this part of the Atlantic coast is the secret to its splendour. Mild temperatures encourage long days of exploration without fatigue, while the moisture in the air sustains the lushness of the landscapes. Unlike the parched heat of midsummer, spring offers freshness and vitality, ensuring that gardens are at their peak and visitors can enjoy them in comfort.

This holiday is not simply a tour of gardens; it is an immersion in Portugal’s cultural and natural heritage. From the grand Queluz Palace to captivating Quinta da Regaleira, each stop reveals how artistry and climate combine to create spaces of beauty and elegance.