Hidden Nature in Lisboa: A Secret Garden

Yes, one of my favorite city spots is a garden. No, it's not the Secret Garden you think.

Before rural lives and trad wives became popular on social media, throughout most of my childhood — as many of you know already know — born in Chicago, I was raised in rural Illinois.

It was in those rural places and wide-open spaces that I felt most “at home.” Camping under the stars in sleeping bags, splashing in puddles or creeks, and yes, even milking a cow were all part of my upbringing. I liked it when I could just be by myself, shielded away household drama or nonsense in the world in general.

Wherever you go, there you are.

Fast forward to adulthood. Even though I’ve now spent most of my life surrounded by skyscrapers and subways, I still sometimes feel like that small-town girl who craves nature. Concrete jungles overwhelm. Cities that never sleep overstimulate. So, I always find myself seeking out green spaces—tiny little pockets of calm where I can escape chaos, if only for a little while.

That brings me to Lisbon, a city that seems to be on everyone’s radars. No joke: almost daily, someone tells me they’re moving to Lisbon, know someone who is, or are planning a visit themselves. To help everyone out, moving forward, I’ve decided to carve out space in my Tiny, Private Love Letter to share some of my favorite things about life in Portugal—starting with one of my favorite spots.

Yes, it’s a garden. No, it’s not Secret Garden in Graça — though that place is lovely as well.