🌳️ Exploring the Crystal Palace Gardens, No Dragon King in Sight 🐲

From the GAIA new town, one can see a lush garden area by the Porto river with a domed building. I vaguely recalled seeing a planetarium on the north bank and assumed it must be the planetarium! However, when the taxi driver dropped us off in front of the square-shaped planetarium building, we realized we were completely wrong. Not all planetariums have domes and are round. That domed building turned out to be the Super Bock Station in the park, haha 😄 The Crystal Palace Gardens (Jardins do Palácio de Cristal) are built on a hilltop by the Douro River, offering a fantastic view of the old town of Porto, the Douro River, and the Gaia new town. The gardens were first established in 1860 and are a typical Victorian-style garden. During the visit, I couldn't help but appreciate the designers from a century ago, who took advantage of such a great location to leave future generations with a forest for rejuvenation and relaxation 🌳. The park is also the venue for the large book fair, Feira de Livro. The Crystal Palace Gardens are filled with towering ancient trees that cast a cool shade in the summer, and a gentle breeze blows from the Douro River. The park is home to many peacocks 🦚 and domestic animals, all living comfortably and leisurely. After experiencing the bustling crowds of the old town, this place is an ideal spot for sightseeing and leisure. A must-visit recommendation in Porto, don't make the same mistake we did. The address is: R. de Dom Manuel II, 4050-346 Porto, open daily from 8 am to 9 pm. #Portugal #Porto #WeekendExploration #Park #CulturalLandscapeSharing #Forest