Prazeres Cemetery and the nearby Necessidades Park offer a captivating blend of Lisbon’s history, serenity, and unexpected beauty. Wandering through Prazeres feels like stepping into an open-air museum, with its grand mausoleums, quiet avenues of cypress trees, and sweeping views over the Tejo River. Just a short walk away, Necessidades Park provides a lush, tranquil escape—an elegant 18th-century garden where peacocks and chickens roam freely and hidden paths lead to peaceful corners perfect for reflection. Together, they reveal a quieter, more contemplative side of the city that many visitors overlook.
Cemitério dos Prazeres
I enjoy visiting cemeteries while traveling, and Prazeres Cemetery in Lisbon is definitely worth a visit! Founded in the 19th century, it was originally created during a cholera outbreak, but it soon became the resting place for Lisbon’s elite, including artists, politicians, and influential families.
Located in the Campo de Ourique area, Prazeres is known for its striking architecture, peaceful ambiance, and beautiful views across the Tejo River and Ponte 25 de Abril. Many visitors explore it like an open-air museum, admiring the ornate tombs, sculptures, and symbolic funerary art. It’s a place where history, artistry, and tranquility come together—making it one of Lisbon’s most unique and memorable cultural sites.
Among its most famous residents is António Augusto Carvalho Monteiro — the eccentric millionaire behind Sintra’s mystical Quinta da Regaleira — whose ornate, symbol-filled tomb echoes the same esoteric spirit found in his palace.
Another standout is the colossal Palmela Mausoleum, the largest private mausoleum in Europe, housing generations of the influential Palmela family.
Beyond these monumental tombs, Prazeres is the final resting place of numerous artists, sculptors, and cultural figures who shaped Portugal’s artistic landscape. Together, these elaborate family vaults create a “city of the dead,” offering visitors a fascinating blend of history, architecture, and quiet beauty. If you’ve visited the Père-Lachaise cemetery in Paris and enjoyed it, then you’ll definitely like Prazeres!
Tapada das Necessidades
Just a quick walk from the cemetery you’ll find Tapada das Necessidades. This park is one of Lisbon’s most charming hidden escapes—a historic garden wrapped around the 18th-century Necessidades Palace. As soon as you enter, you’re greeted by the park’s unofficial residents: confident roosters and elegant peacocks that wander freely across the lawns and pathways, adding a touch of whimsy to the already romantic atmosphere. The garden is full of character, with winding trails, shaded groves, and unexpected discoveries at every turn, including an old estufa (greenhouse), quiet ponds, and picturesque stone structures that hint at the palace’s royal past.
One of the park’s highlights is its impressive cactus and succulent garden, a sun-drenched hillside filled with towering cacti, agaves, and exotic species that feel almost otherworldly in the middle of Lisbon. Between its historic buildings, lush corners, and resident birds, Tapda das Necessidades blends wildness with elegance—making it a peaceful, slightly eccentric oasis beloved by locals and often missed by visitors.
Where To Eat
Not far from the park, there is a good and affordable Nepali restaurant. We had a delicious lunch there last time we visited the gardens.
In Lisbon, you are never too far from food, which I absolutely love! One place to check out when visiting this area is the Campo de Ourique Market. This market is a lively neighborhood hub where traditional vendors and modern food stalls come together under one roof. It’s the perfect place to sample fresh Portuguese produce, enjoy gourmet bites, and soak up the relaxed vibes of the place.
To learn more about our adventures in Portugal, visit this page. To read more about what to do in Lisbon, check out this post. For all of our other travels, visit this page.
