Jardim da Paz (officially Jardim Maria de Lourdes Pintasilgo) is a materialised sanctuary of peace hidden on the Santana Hill. While its official name honours Portugal’s first female Prime Minister, its spiritual identity was cemented on November 28, 2001, when it was inaugurated by the 14th Dalai Lama alongside Lisbon's then-mayor, João Soares. Central to the garden is a stone obelisk set within a colourful mosaic mandala, bearing a Buddhist prayer for the end of suffering. It is truly fascinating to find this Tibetan-inspired "Garden for Peace" tucked so discreetly behind the Hospital dos Capuchos in the centre of the city.

​Within this garden lies PSI, a great vegetarian restaurant that has flourished here for over two decades. Dining in its circular glass pavilion or on the terrace—surrounded by small ponds, ducks, and turtles—feels like a fairytale retreat from the urban grind. The garden’s lush canopy and trickling water create a cooling micro-climate that invites deep reflection. To visit is to contemplate a rare intersection of Portuguese political legacy and global spiritual harmony. It remains a marvellous, hidden treasure for the soul.