Easy hikes and walks around Famões

The Lisbon Zoo (Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa) is one of the city's most iconic attractions, ideal for families.

Garden in the center of Largo da Luz, named after the founder of the Military College (Pupilos do Exército).

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Light, formerly a Convent of the Order of Christ, began construction in 1575 under the auspices of Infanta Maria and designed by Jerónimo de Ruão, on the site of a hermitage built since 1464, next to a spring with medicinal properties. The transept and chancel survived the 1755 earthquake, an exemplary example of Portuguese Mannerism, with its marble coffered vault, marble side walls with niches housing statues, the tomb of the Infanta, and the magnificent gilded altarpiece with paintings by Francisco Venegas and Diogo Teixeira. Also of interest are the paintings on the side altars and the Manueline remains in the fountain. The church has been the seat of the parish of Carnide since 1918.

This shopping centre is named after the famous explorer who sailed the seas for Portugal: Columbus. All the streets, as well as the interior decoration, have a maritime theme. Don’t forget to check out the floors, they shouldn’t go unnoticed.

The park has three distinct areas: the Central Nave of Quinta das Conchas, the Woods and the Lilacs. The Central Nave, the largest area, is made up of large lawns dotted with trees and offers open views, which invite you to play ball and have picnics on the grass. It is bordered at the highest point by a group of olive and olive trees and, at the bottom, next to the large lake, there is a mass of large eucalyptus trees, classified as a grove of trees of public interest, where there are picnic tables, in an excellent area for relaxing. The Woods, a denser forest area with more intact nature, is made up of a varied set of tree species, with a stand of trees of the ZelKova Serrata species, also classified as a public interest, standing out, as well as Himalayan cedars and Buçaco cedars. In some places, there is a dense cover of shrubs, such as adernos, sanguinhos, elders and hawthorns, which are very important for several species of birds as shelter, feeding and nesting sites. Separated from Quinta das Conchas by a wall, we have Quinta dos Lilases, a more secluded environment, with its famous artificial lake, of romantic inspiration, representing the islands of São Tomé and Príncipe. The vegetation is marked by the alignment of olive trees next to the wall of Quinta das Conchas and by the presence of eucalyptus, poplars, ash trees, gleditsias and species of the Quercus genus. The shrub layer is reduced, with pomegranate trees and notable groups of old and large box trees standing out. The clearing areas are covered in dry grassland. This farm has a community orchard area, recently built as part of a Participatory Project. The existence of diverse habitats gives this Park great value in terms of biodiversity, with a higher number of species than usual for urban green spaces.

The name of the park indicates that in the past there were two large quintas here. Quinta is a tough word to translate, it is similar to the French château or country house. Those quintas were called Conchas and Lilases. The quintas were built in the 16th century and were always inhabited by prosperous Portuguese families who traded in coffee. Since 1966 the quintas have been managed by the city of Lisbon. For a long time nothing was done with the quintas and the surrounding lands. In 2005, the quintas were opened to the public and the park was laid out.

This is a monument of great symbolism that honours and perpetuates the memory of those who served their country and symbolizes the courage, dedication and effort of the fighters of the Union of Parishes of Queluz and Belas. It also symbolizes the values of peace and justice, and will serve as an inspiration for future generations.

Zoo really worth seeing. Dolphin show the highlight