Why visit / Interesting facts:
- Striking contemporary architecture
- Kids will love it
- Many attractions in a compact area
Time required: 90 minutes
Public transport:
- Metro Line Red: Oriente station
Address: Rossio dos Olivais, 1990 Lisboa
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: Phil Photostream
Things you need to know:
- Park of Nations is Lisbon's ultra modern district built for the 1998 World Exhibiton. It is located on the waterfront at the eastern end of the city
- The 1998 Exhibition was the 100th after the 1851 London Exhibition, the last one in the 20th century, and coincided with the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama's arrival in India
- Most of the park's architecture follows the Ocean theme of the exhibition. The area has a clean, open, and relaxed atmosphere
- Oriente Station, one of Lisbon's most stunning architecture, is a railway station, metro and bus terminal. Its glass and steel roof looks like a row of palm trees
- Vasco de Gama Tower is Lisbon's tallest building (145m/575ft) with a shape of a nautical sail. The tower is undergoing work to build a Dubai-like luxury hotel into it
- Vasco de Gama Bridge is Europe's longest bridge spanning more 17,2 km (10,75 mi)
- Centro Vasco de Gama is a shopping center providing everything a modern mall must offer
- Săo Gabriel and Săo Rafael office and apartment buildings were named after Vasco de Gama's ships. They are designed to look like two giant sailboats
- Portugal Pavilion is a giant exhibition center with a curved, gravity-defying concrete roof. The roof weighs 1,400 tonnes and measures 50 by 67 m (167 by 223 ft)
- Other highlights include the Oceanarium, the cable car, a modern casino, a water garden, a marina, and a number of restaurants and bars with great view
What to do there:
- Arriving to Oriente Station admire the stunning modern architecture of the station
- Start your tour riding the cable car (buy a single ticket, near Oceanarium building) that runs the full length of the site, parallel to the river, while giving commanding views along the way
- Admire the magnificence of the Vasco da Gama Tower and Bridge
- Take a walk along the waterfront with pleasant gardens and lawns to sit
- From the water front admire the two striking twin towers designed to look like giant sailboats
Tips & Insights:
- To tour the area you can jump on a toy train that passes by the main attractions every twenty minutes
- Finish your day in Vasco da Gama Shopping Center
- The park is a must for families with kids
