Parque das Nações

You’ll discover that the greatest collection of modern building in Lisbon is on the eastern riverfront, clustered in and around the Parque das Nações, which was purpose-built for the World Expo in 1998. Constructed with the theme of “The oceans, a heritage for the future" in mind and with the participation of 142 countries and organisations, today this area offers many new and exciting attractions that look out across the river and the Vasco da Gama Bridge.

This area stretches from the city docks to the airport, spanning almost 10 kilometres of prime riverfront real estate and is fed by its own metro and state of the art train line coming together at the futuristic Parque das Nações transport hub, close to the shopping centre. Gare do Oriente is one of the main transportation hubs of Lisbon. Its rib-like glass and steel columns were designed by the great architect Santiago Calatrava. After the World Exhibition in 1998 upscale new hotels, restaurants and residential suburbs sprang up around the host of leisure, commercial and sporting facilities left behind by the Expo, including the world class glass fronted Oceanário, the Pavilhão do Conhecimento, the Pavilhão Atlântico and the recently completed Lisbon Casino (the latter also presents a wide variety of shows).

Kids will particularly appreciate the Oceanário, Pavilhão do Conhecimento (Knowledge Pavilion) and the Macau Pavilion. Headline musical performances are regularly staged at the Atlantic Pavilion and there is plenty of activity, such as the cable car ride, bicycle rental and open-air concerts in Praça Sony. The extensive Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre contains numerous bars and cafes.