Jardim António Borges is a botanical garden located only a few minutes from Ponta Delgada downtown. This peaceful paradise, a true green lung of the city centre, is free to enter, where you may find winding paths, endemic and native plants, caves, tunnels built from the red lava stone and ponds.
Adding to this while walking around the garden, you will find an emblematic ancient tree, The Australian banyan, straight out of a fairy tale.
What is Jardim António Borges?
The António Borges Garden is one of the city’s – and the island’s – main historic gardens. It is a delightful place to walk around and discover its fauna and flora, from the four corners of the world, enjoy the shade or the sunny spots, relax on a bench reading a book or even work out. For the children, there is a playground or many appealing places for their playful games.
Geology & Volcanology of António Borges Garden
The António Borges garden is part of the Picos Volcanic System (Ponta Delgada Platform), the most recent geomorphologic unit on the island, which develops between the flanks of the Sete Cidades and Água do Pau massifs. The type of dominant volcanism is fissural, marked by the alignment of numerous eruptive volcanoes (cinder cones), with associated lava flows and basaltic pyroclasts, covered by pumice deposits expelled by the surrounding central volcanoes. According to experts, the dominant lithology in the city of Ponta Delgada is mixed, originating from the intercalation of lava flows and pumiceous products. It is plausible that the rocky materials that decorate the caves and cavities in the garden originate from local excavations.
History & Geography of António Borges Garden
António Borges’s garden began being called Lombinha Garden (located at the top of Dog’s Alley). After António Borges da Câmara Medeiros death (1879) the garden’s name was switched to António Borges Garden in honour of its owner and founder.
When Lombinha Garden was built (1857-60) Ponta Delgada lived an unusual time of urban, economic and cultural dynamics resulting from the entrepreneurship of wealthy families.
António Borges, José do Canto and José Jácome Correia (Viscount of Praia) are the major names linked to the passion for building gardens: they became known as the gentlemen farmers.
Romantically of English inspiration, followed by the European taste of the time, the 19th-century gardens of Ponta Delgada were built in the hinterland and then marked the transition between urban and rural spaces.
In the region of Ponta Delgada, where the António Borges garden is located. The soil and the climate conditions have made possible the botanical acclimatization of fascinating ornamental species, from very distant origins, mostly from the low latitudes and Southern Hemisphere. Environmental factors for the success of these “tropicalization” trials implemented in the Azores at the time are linked to the climatic and geological singularities then existing, and that can be found in other island groups of Macaronesia.
Culture & Festivities of António Borges Garden
It has been part of the memories of most inhabitants in Ponta Delgada the long hours spent in the garden, the adventures in the mysterious caves and tunnels, full of myths and stories; and Many other memories of fascinating animals, throughout several decades, made the delight of both children and grown-ups, unthinkable at the present, but very much to the liking of that time.
Even nowadays the Garden arouses the curiosity of visitors, and the varied sceneries awaken feelings and emotions, as if in a theatre setting.
Many activities take place in the garden: concerts; World Dance festivals; Art installations within the Walk & Talk – Azores Festival; musical events within the ambit of the Tremor Festival; guided tours; tourist walks; guided activities for children; bat watching; Thai Chi and Chi Kung sessions; Yoga; school marathons; Urban Sketchers activities; Tourism operator’s meetings, among others.
Fauna & Flora of António Borges Garden
Nowadays, the botanical families represented by a greater number of species in António Borges garden are Arecaceae (palm trees), Asparagaceae (such as dragon tree) and Mirtaceae (such as Melaleucas).
In 2020, the Municipality of Ponta Delgada published a new brochure about the Garden, emphasizing a set of landmarks and specimens of interest. The select specimens correspond to 15 species with very different histories that are described below:
- Silk floss tree;
- Australian banyan;
- Cabbage tree;
- Picconia;
- Queensland Kauri pine;
- Chilean wine palm;
- Canary Islands date palm;
- Turpentine tree;
- Giant bird of paradise;
- Queen sago;
- Dragon tree;
- Norfolk Island pine;
- Guanacaste;
- Totara;
- New Zealand Christmas tree.
The António Borges garden is quite a heterogeneous expanse, offering a large diversity of plants, a rugged topography, and the existence of grottoes and ponds. These conditions are favourable to the coexistence of not only native Azorean fauna but also fascinating species. Of the 37 species of Azorean breeding birds, it is possible, for example, to spot regularly endemic subspecies such as the Azorean buzzard, the Azorean wood pigeon, The Euroasian Blackbird or even an endemic Macaronesian species such as the Atlantic canary. In the ponds, we can see domestic ducks all year round, and in the autumn we can occasionally spot wild migrant ducks and herons.
It is possible to observe in this garden the common species of amphibians and reptiles that occur in the Azores the Iberian water frog and the Madeira Wall lizard, respectively.
The Azorean bat is one of the 11 species of mammals residing in the Azores that can be seen in the garden. This bat is the only mammal endemic to the Azores and is easily spotted during its breeding period (April to September).
What to do at António Borges Garden?
António Borges Garden is a beautiful place for a run or a stroll, and the garden offers a lot of experiences for everyone. You may find some suggestions below:
- Relax, sited in the Valley of ferns;
- Look up at the Viewpoint;
- Explore red lava caves and tunnels;
- Walk along Palm Tree Lane;
- Take a picture next to the emblematic Fig tree;
- Have a good time at the Children’s playground;
- Try our local treats at the Cafeteria;
- Sit on a bench reading a book and feeling the garden;
- Yoga; work out; Stroll around.
With you, the Garden is alive!
Pro Tips
Check the weather before you head out and wear comfy shoes. Botanical gardens can be especially beautiful shortly after rain, so don’t let a bit of water scare you away!
Best Season to Visit São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island is in the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago. Here, you will notice the atypical characteristics of this climate. These result from many factors contributing to its plant exuberance and landscape value.
The climate is mild regardless of the season, and the average values do not present many changes. Temperatures vary between:
- 16 °C in spring;
- 21 °C in summer;
- 18 °C in autumn;
- 14 °C in winter.
For more info about the weather in the Azores, check the links below:
- The weather in the Azores in January
- The weather in the Azores in February
- The weather in the Azores in March
- The weather in the Azores in April
- The weather in the Azores in May
- The weather in the Azores in July
- The weather in the Azores in August
Places near Jardim António Borges
After enjoying the botanical wealth that the António Borges Garden has to offer, it’s time to visit the other tourist attractions located close to the garden.
Mata-Jardim José do Canto
The botanical garden, Mata-Jardim José do Canto, is located in Ponta Delgada and was established in the 19th century by José do Canto, a significant historical figure of São Miguel Island. The garden boasts a vast collection of plants from various regions around the globe, making it an excellent location to experience nature while still in the heart of the city.
Botany enthusiasts, in particular, are highly recommended to visit this beautiful site. Moreover, the garden has recently incorporated a specific area dedicated to endemic species of Macaronesia, further enhancing its appeal to visitors.
Discover the Igreja de Todos os Santos — Colégio dos Jesuítas
This church is a stunning example of Baroque art, established by the Order of the Society of Jesus in 1592. However, in 1760, The Marquis of Pombal ordered the expulsion of the Jesuits from Portugal. Nicolau Maria Raposo de Amaral purchased the church in 1834 and his heirs subsequently donated it to the Municipality of Ponta Delgada.
Today, it is a part of the “Núcleo de Arte Sacra do Museu Carlos Machado” and is open to visitors. While the exterior of the church is breathtaking, the interior and its numerous sacred art pieces on display are definitely worth exploring.
Visit Parque Atlântico Shopping
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The “Parque Atlântico,” the largest shopping mall in the Azores, opened in 2007. It boasts over 89 stores and 17 restaurants, making it an ideal destination for shopping enthusiasts. Architect José Quintela designed the mall to pay tribute to the Azores and the Atlantic Ocean. This tribute becomes immediately apparent upon entering as an enormous sperm whale greets visitors.
Additionally, there are numerous other Azorean references inside, including a whaling boat, a winch, and various other items. The mall is conveniently located close to the city centre.
Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada is officially one of the best counties in Portugal to live in. The modern city is the biggest and most populated of the Azores. There, the ocean breeze, mountain views and delicious local food are part of everyday life. Despite being an energetic city, there is no rush in Ponta Delgada, nor annoying traffic jams.
In the beginning, Ponta Delgada was only a small fishing village. But quickly, thanks to its safe bays, it became the most important harbour for trade on the island. In 1546, the authorities declared Ponta Delgada a city and considered it the capital of the island after a terrible earthquake destroyed the first capital, Vila Franca do Campo, in 1522. Nowadays, Ponta Delgada with its almost 70,000 inhabitants is a cosmopolitan city, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Points of interest in Ponta Delgada
- Carlos Machado Museum;
- Igreja de Todos os Santos;
- Portas da Cidade;
- Forte de São Brás;
- Gruta do Carvão;
- Jardim José do Canto;
- Jardim António Borges;
- Mercado da Graça / Farmers Market;
- Parque Atlântico;
- Pineapple Plantations;
- Piscina do “Pesqueiro”;
- Portas do Mar;
- Praia das Milícias;
- Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Regional;
- Rocha da Relva;
- Santuário da Esperança;
- Sinagoga.
Where To Eat Near Jardim António Borges
If you need somewhere to eat near Jardim António Borges, click here. In this link, you’ll find the 10 best restaurants on Tripadvisor.
Where To Stay Near Jardim António Borges
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Complementary Information
Useful Tools & Apps
The weather in the Azores can be variable, so it’s helpful to use some apps before visiting the islands. Spotazores offers live camera feeds from the main tourist attractions, letting you check the weather and plan your visit. For accurate weather predictions, use Windy or Windguru — they provide the most reliable predictions.
How to Get to São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island is easily accessible with numerous flight routes. Lisbon and Porto are the main entry points to the continent, with direct flights to Ponta Delgada available. To find the best flight, use search engines like eDreams or Skyscanner.
These platforms allow you to compare prices and schedules from different airlines in one place. For more details on how to get to the Azores, look at our guide. Once you find the perfect flight, book it! You’ll reach one of the world’s most beautiful island groups in a few hours.
Best Season to Visit São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island, part of the Eastern Group of the Azores Archipelago, has a unique climate shaped by various factors. This climate fosters the island’s lush vegetation and stunning landscapes. Temperatures stay mild year-round, with only slight variations.
In spring, temperatures average 16 °C, summer peaks at 21 °C, autumn cools to 18 °C, and winter hovers around 14 °C. For more details on the weather in the Azores, take a look at the following links:
- The weather in the Azores in January
- The weather in the Azores in February
- The weather in the Azores in March
- The weather in the Azores in April
- The weather in the Azores in May
- The weather in the Azores in July
- The weather in the Azores in August
Cultural Agenda of São Miguel Island
São Miguel Island hosts a wide range of cultural events throughout the year. The complete list of events is on the cultural agenda!
Video of Jardim António Borges
Conclusion
Botanical gardens are not just for city dwellers to connect with green spaces. They also provide inspiration, education and wonder.
Each botanical garden is unique and is a great activity any time of year. Ready to explore tunnels, and lava caves and learn about the António Borges Garden Fauna & Flora?
Authors’ Note
I’m pleased to inform you that all the recommendations in this article are based on my experience and observations. As the author, I have personally visited each attraction mentioned, ensuring that every suggestion is grounded in first-hand knowledge and genuine enthusiasm.
References
- Albergaria, Isabel S. (Coord.) (2021), Jardim António Borges. Um património singular de Ponta Delgada. Ponta Delgada: CMPD/GreenGA
