Parque das Nações, Lisbon

Parque das Nações, Lisbon

Built for the 1998 World Expo in the eastern side of Lisbon, the Parque das Nações or Park of the Nations is the city's modern quarter.

Built for the 1998 World Expo in the eastern side of Lisbon, the Parque das Nações or Park of the Nations is the city's modern quarter. Laid out with contemporary style buildings that are a stark contrast to downtown Lisbon's classical architecture, the urban waterfront area has several places of interest. Arrive by metro at the stunning Gare do Oriente, designed by Santiago Calatrava with Gothic-inspired ribbed vaulting. Across the river is the 12 kilometre long Vasco da Gama Bridge, the longest bridge in Europe. The Oceanarium is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe, with over 16,000 marine animals over 450 species. Children can also visit the nearby Knowledge Pavilion (Pavilhão do Conhecimento - Ciência Viva) which is a science museum with a range of interactive exhibits and workshops. Other attractions in the area are the marina, Portuguese National Pavilion and Atlantic Pavilion, the Vasco da Gama Tower which has an observation deck on top (part of Myriad Hotel), the Casino Lisboa, Vasco de Gama Shopping Mall, Teatro Luis de Camões, Jardim da Água, and Jardim Garcia de Orta. Also of note are the residential twin towers Torres São_Rafael/ São Gabriel, named after two of Vasco da Gama's ships and designed to resemble giant sailboats.

For sweeping views over the entire area, Tejo River, and Vasco da Gama Bridge, take the 8 minute cable-car ride from the Vasco da Gama Tower in the north to the Oceanarium in the south. You can also take the toy train that goes all around the area starting from the Atlantic Pavilion.