Jacaranda season in Lisbon

What it is

The jacaranda is a South American tree, and it reached Lisbon through Portugal's long ties with Brazil. The mild Atlantic climate suited it, and the city planted it widely along avenues and in squares. In late May and early June the trees flower before their leaves are fully out, so whole streets look violet, and the fallen flowers lie on the pavements like a second layer. Good places to see them are Largo do Carmo, the edges of Parque Eduardo VII, Avenida Dom Carlos I and the riverside at Belém. A lighter second flowering sometimes follows in autumn.

Before you go

• Walk it. A route from Largo do Carmo down to Avenida Dom Carlos I takes about an hour.
• Fallen flowers are slippery on Lisbon's polished stone pavements, especially after rain.
• Look at the trees against white walls and tiled fronts, where the colour shows best.

The flowers you will see

Also part of it, and being written: Jacaranda mimosifolia, Jacaranda.

More in Portugal

🇵🇹 Funchal · All yearFlower sellers at the Mercado dos LavradoresFunchal's 1940 farmers' market, where women in striped Madeiran dress sell bird of paradise, proteas and orchids. 🇵🇹 Funchal · Apr to SepLevada walks through Madeira's flowersLevel footpaths beside Madeira's old irrigation channels, through laurel forest and banks of agapanthus and hydrangea. 🇵🇹 Ponta Delgada · Jun to AugHydrangea hedges of the AzoresCountry roads on São Miguel and Faial lined for miles with blue hydrangea hedges in the Atlantic summer.