DK Travel : Lisbon : Parque das Nações

Parque das Nações

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Built on the site of Lisbon’s successful Expo 98 world fair, held to mark the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama’s epic voyage to India, the “Park of the Nations” is a new, self-contained riverside district east of the centre. It balances Belém to the west and showcases Portuguese architecture of a younger vintage. A bustling amusement park and trade-fair centre by day, by night the park becomes a concert and events venue, with a young nightlife scene and a recently opened casino. There’s also an ambitious residential development.
Early mornings in the Parque can be very refreshing, while summer afternoons are hotter, brighter and more humid here than in most other parts of the city. The undulating lawn area next to the Oceanário is a good spot for a rest, as are the benches along the riverfront. Drinks can be bought at kiosks dotted around the Parque.

Top 10 Features

1. Oceanário

1. Oceanário

The world’s second-largest aquarium has hundreds of aquatic species organized by habitat and viewed on two levels. The vast central tank has species large and small, swimming round and round in uneasy peace. Impossibly cuddly-looking sea otters, in a side tank, get the most affection.
2. Portugal Pavilion

Impressive, with its concrete canopy suspended like a sail above its forecourt, the Portugal Pavilion stands empty and neglected. It was once going to house the Council of Ministers; now it’s just an architectural showpiece.
3. Ciência Viva

3. Ciência Viva

The former Knowledge Pavilion was transformed into this large, child-friendly science museum. It’s full of hands-on exhibits and activities for various age groups.
4. Casino

The latest addition to the Parque das Nações, in the former Future Pavilion, caters to all categories of gambler, with serried ranks of tinkling slot machines and green baize tables for poker, roulette and black jack.
5. Cable Car

5. Cable Car

Running most of the length of the Parque above the riverside, the cable car ride gives an overview of the area and good views of the river and the Vasco da Gama bridge. If the breeze is up on the estuary, the cars may swing from side to side.
6. Nautical Centre

6. Nautical Centre

The Doca dos Olivais nautical centre rents out equipment for various water sports and related activities.
7. Torre Vasco da Gama

7. Torre Vasco da Gama

At 145 m 476 ft, this is Lisbon’s tallest building, albeit removed from the rest of the urban skyline. On a good day, views from the top extend as far as Setúbal, but viewers may be buffeted by winds.
8. Gardens

8. Gardens

Many of the rather anaemic-looking gardens planted for Expo 98 have grown into healthy patches of urban greenery. They now succeed in softening the concrete and steel, particularly along the waterfront.
9. Restaurants

Most shops are in the Vasco da Gama shopping centre, but retailing is developing elsewhere in the Parque. Electronics and interior decoration showrooms are now in operation, and when the FIL trade-fair area – formerly the Expo’s national pavilions – puts on a consumer fair, plenty of customers turn up to see the latest offers.
10. Shops

10. Shops

The mainly waterfront – and some floating – restaurants are popular for weekend lunches, but they are also an important part of the Parque’s nightlife scene.

Practical Information

Early mornings in the Parque can be very refreshing, while summer afternoons are hotter, brighter and more humid here than in most other parts of the city. The undulating lawn area next to the Oceanário is a good spot for a rest, as are the benches along the riverfront. Drinks can be bought at kiosks dotted around the Parque. Avenida Dom João II 21 891 98 98 Oceanário 21 891 70 02 Open 10am–8pm (7pm in winter) daily. Adm €10.50 (over-65s €5.75; children 4–12 €5.25; under-4s free) www.oceanario.pt Ciência Viva 21 722 11 60 Open 10am–6pm Tue–Fri, 11am–7pm Sat & Sun Adm €6 (under-18s and over-65s €3; children 3–6 €2.50; under-2s free) www. pavconhecimento.pt