Parc des Nations, Lisbon – the most modern Portugal. Park of Nations (Parque das Nações) Park of Nations Lisbon on the map
A modern modern railroad station"Orient". The building also houses a metro station and a bus station. This is the exit from the Orient train station.
Oriental Train Station- a project by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, connecting Lisbon with the rest of Europe.
The Parc des Nations is a dynamic, lively place that is one of the main attractions of modern Lisbon. Residents of the city come here to relax, have fun, stroll, play sports and shop. This is the transition from the station to the large shopping center "Vasco da Gama"
Hotel "Tivoli Oriente" - "Tivoli Oriente"
A very beautiful shopping center. Water flows from above on the glass roof.
We go out to the park area and the Tagus River.
This is the entrance to the shopping center from the river.
You can ride around the territory on such a train
Funny sculpture
From the aquarium you can take the funicular to the Vasco da Gama Tower. Line length 1 km.
We head along the alley to the Oceanarium.
I have posted a separate gallery about the Lisbon Aquarium, the largest in Europe. Take a look, it's a very nice aquarium.
Lawns around the aquarium.
Now the pictures are taken through the glass of the cable car cabin, so the quality depends on the cleanliness of the glass :) This is the oceanarium from above.
Round building - Atlantic pavilion
Exhibition pavilions
View of the tower and Vasco da Gama bridge. The bridge is a grandiose structure, striking in its scale and shape, the pride of Lisbon.
On this moment it is the longest bridge in Europe, with a total length of 17,185 km. The bridge was opened to traffic on March 29, 1998, 18 months after construction began. The bridge consists of five objects: the Northern viaduct, the Expo viaduct, the main bridge, the central viaduct and the southern viaduct. Each of these objects was built using special technologies. The main bridge is cable-stayed bridge 829 meters long, the height of the pylons reaches 150 m.
Built as a continuation of the main bridge, the central viaduct, with a length of 6631 m, is the longest of all objects. Seventy-five 80m spans forming its bridge deck were manufactured directly at the construction site. Poured on benches, the precast blocks were combined in groups of eight to form a prestressed beam 78 meters long and weighing 2,000 tonnes. Such a complex was installed on a barge, which performed the dual function of transportation and lifting. This method made it possible to manufacture and install one span every two days.
The bridge has six lanes, and more than 50 thousand cars cross it every day. The author of the project was Michel Verloger, his main task was to build a bridge that could withstand all earthquakes, which are not uncommon in Portugal.
The Vasco da Gama Tower is 140 meters high with a panoramic restaurant, which is said to offer stunning views of the Parc des Nations, Lisbon and the Tagus River. It was not possible to get in because they are building an extension to the tower luxury hotel with the same name.
The length of the central span of the bridge, hanging on metal ropes, is 420 meters. Records were also broken in terms of the pace of construction - the bridge was built in only 18 months. Its construction took 730 thousand cubic meters of concrete, and its safety margin is such that it can withstand an earthquake four times stronger than the one that happened in Lisbon in 1755.
Along the Tagus embankment something like botanical garden, the trees have signs.
Welcome to Lisbon Modern!
The futuristic architecture of East Lisbon is the complete opposite of the city's older quarters. Most of them were built by innovative architects for Expo 98, the World Exhibition that took place in the Portuguese capital between May and September 1998. At the end of the exhibition new area was named City Park of Nations, and is now one of the largest urban redevelopment projects in Europe.
This place attracts with its diversity - from architecture to cultural attractions. Of course, there is something to see here with children. Therefore, you can safely devote one of the days of your stay in Lisbon to a trip here.
The main highlight of the area is Oceanarium, recognized as the world's most impressive aquarium. This is a real ocean oasis where you can experience life underwater world our planet in a carefully recreated habitat of marine animals, fish and plants.
This is a place where little visitors can expand their knowledge and see the living inhabitants of the ocean depths.
Website http://www.oceanario.pt/
Open seven days a week
The next mandatory item in the local program is Museum of Knowledge, helping to “recharge the brains” of the younger generation.
Science interactive museums for children are usually found in all major European cities(for example, at the Experimentarium in Amsterdam), and Lisbon is no exception. Touch with your hands, climb, check out scientific and fantasy exhibits in action - what could be more exciting for a young tourist!
Opening hours 10-18; Saturday, Sunday and holidays 11-19. Monday is a day off.
Undoubtedly, the child’s attention will also be attracted by the hanging cable car
, allowing you to look at the architecture and the river from a bird's eye view. The trip lasts 8 minutes.
Boarding the cabin takes place just opposite the Oceanarium. Starts work at 11-00, ends at 20-00 (in winter at 18-00).
Other attractions are water gardens, observation tower, marina and a number of outdoor bars and restaurants overlooking one of the most long bridges in the world.
The two striking twin towers are designed to look like giant sailing ships and are named after two of Vasco da Gama's ships, San Gabriel and San Rafael.
For those interested in shopping, there is a large Vasco Da Gama shopping center(Centro Comercial Vasco da Gama), where the whole of Lisbon comes to shop.
However, the selection of stores is standard, mostly chain stores, although there are some interesting local brand names.
Nations Park in Lisbon - how to get there
— By metro (Oriente station)
— By train from Santa Apollonia station (Oriente station)
— From a (Commerciu Square) you can take bus number 728. Also (from different parts of the city) buses 705, 710, 719, 721, 7 50, 768, 781, 782, 785 go here
Sights of Lisbon with children. The first day. Entertainment.
Santa Justa lift
When I started preparing for the trip and choosing interesting places to visit in Lisbon, I was even confused by the number of attractions in Lisbon, the fantastic views that you can see, the interesting museums that you would like to visit... And the breathtaking bridges, ski lifts, openwork houses, absolutely different areas The cities, already beckoning to explore their magical streets, began to spin in my head, causing thoughts: “how can I get lost?!” I only had 3 days to walk around Lisbon... But I realized that I definitely had to embrace the immensity - not only walk around, “feel” with my eyes all the very best, and absorb the spirit of the oldest districts of the city - Alfama and Mouraria, Graça, Baixa and Chiado and also give one day beautiful city Sintra with its palaces from dreams or fairy tales.
Oriente, Expo area
Just the names took my breath away! Friends vying with each other to tell us what is a must see in Lisbon, and also a must try the most delicious cakes in the world, sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar, which are baked in the old pastry shop Pastéis de Belém. Anticipating my delight, I fell in love with this city in advance. And then she even described her trip to Lisbon in verse (Lisbon in three days).
Lishboa card
While still at home, I ordered a Lisboa Card online for all 4 days. With a discount on the official website for 38 euros and kopecks, buying it at the airport would be as much as 70 cents more expensive). You can use it public transport, ski lifts, visit some museums for free and some with a discount, take a train to Sintra and the ocean. I decided to choose it rather because of the time savings - I don’t have to deal with the machines for buying tickets for the metro and trams, waste time on them every day, you can go to museums without a queue (although, as it turned out later, this only worked in one, because I was with the baby). You can get it immediately at the airport by presenting a printed coupon.
Park of Nations
Close to Lisbon airport Expo area, Park of Nations(Parque das Nações). So, without wasting any time, I headed there from the plane. (Just a few metro stops from the airport). This is probably the best place for visiting Lisbon with children - there is the Oceanarium (Oceanario de Lisboa) and the Pavilion of Knowledge - Science Museum (Pavilhao do Conhecimento-Ciencia Viva). I’m probably still a child myself, albeit with two children of my own, but places like this always delight me! Also nearby you can ride a cable car, see the Vasco da Gama Bridge, and take a walk in the park. If you have time, go to the Vasco da Gama shopping center.
Oceanarium
I started my walk around Lisbon with a visit to the Oceanarium. Lisbon Aquarium — grandiose building with a two-story house, the largest aquarium in Europe.
Who's not here? Sharks, barracudas, rays, chimeras, even sunfish and meter-long grouper! You can see the flora and fauna of the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic oceans. Large, curious fish gather right next to the glass, looking at visitors! I just wanted to touch them. The cutest otters are no less delightful; I waited a long time for them to come up for a swim. Busy penguins and puffins walk nearby. They say there are other exotic animals and a good collection of butterflies - I haven’t seen them. I only went to the permanent exhibition. On the temporary one you could also see turtles, but I had already seen them recently at the Leningrad Zoo, and I didn’t have time. You can spend the whole day in the aquarium, because it is simply huge, the longer you stay in it, the more interesting things you notice!
Large aquarium
I was delighted; my six-month-old son laughed and was very happy with the inhabitants, whom he managed to follow. Fish - Moon at the Lisbon Aquarium - an amazing experience! There is both a big one and a small one. The fish swim in circles all the time, you can see them all. There are many points for inspection, and the aquariums themselves, in addition to the large one, too. Just take a jacket with you, it's quite cool there. Penguins also have ice.
The city is ancient. However, along with ancient monuments, you can also get acquainted with the achievements modern architecture. Nations Park is one such example. This Lisbon quarter was built in 1998 on the occasion of the Lisbon International exhibition Expo-98. That's why it is also called Expo.
This event coincided with a significant date for the Portuguese: 500 years ago, an expedition led by the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama first traveled by sea to.
It is curious that the exhibition ended, but the block that grew up on the site of a former industrial zone was not abandoned and did not fall into disrepair. This often happens with such structures: a lot of effort and money were invested in them, but they, having played their role, later become useless to anyone. Thanks to a well-thought-out layout, the Park of Nations avoided this fate: after the exhibition, the quarter began to develop rapidly.
Firstly, this area is very picturesque, as it stretches for several kilometers along the Tagus River. Secondly, the buildings were originally planned to be suitable for habitation or to accommodate offices. Thirdly, the infrastructure of the Park of Nations is conducive to a comfortable life. There are more than 25 thousand residents in the quarter.
To the Park of Nations in free time Residents of other areas of the capital and tourists rush in. Here you can have a great rest: stroll along the embankment along the river, admire the 17-kilometer long Vasca da Gama Bridge. This bridge, connecting the capital's Parque des Nations neighborhood with the cities of Alcochete and Montijo, is the longest cable-stayed bridge in Europe.
The oceanarium in the Park of Nations is one of the largest in the world. The building, reminiscent of a ship, is built on water. You can get inside via a two-level ramp. Four halls of the oceanarium are dedicated to the biosphere of the North Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The central aquarium, in the shape of a cube running across two floors, represents the inhabitants of the global ocean. In general, the aquarium contains about 7.5 million liters of water, of which 5 million is in the central one.
Entertainment is entertainment, but it’s worth imagining what titanic work the aquarium staff does, because they must “please” each of its inhabitants so that he feels comfortable in the natural environment artificially created for him.
It’s nice to stroll along the embankment at any time - here you can turn into a park, a play area, rent a bike or sit in a cafe.
One cannot ignore the very unusual building, reminiscent of outlandish sea monster, is the Oriente station. In the evening, the entire structure is illuminated, which makes the station building even more amazing.
Oriente Station is the largest transport artery of the capital: in addition to the railway station, it is located bus station from which they are sent intercity buses, and a metro station.
Opposite the station is a huge shopping center named after Vasco da Gama. On both sides of it are residential high-rise towers. Each tower has its own name: Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael. This was the name of the sailing ships on which the Portuguese navigator discovered the sea route to India.
Before shopping center- an amazing 20-meter surreal sculpture depicting an incomprehensible creature that looks more like an alien.
Narrow canals run through the Park of Nations, along which there are 6 cone-shaped fountains reminiscent of volcanoes. For greater similarity, every half minute powerful jets of water burst out of the fountains, like lava.
Almost in the center of the Park of Nations is the Atlantic pavilion in the shape of a flying saucer, which local residents called MEO Arena - concerts are often held here.
The casino building, the Pavilion of Knowledge, the Ballet Theater, the Garden of Palms, Lake Sirens - the best architects and designers of the world put their minds and hands into the creation of these objects. It is impossible to get bored in the Park of Nations - here everyone will find something to their liking.
Tourists are most attracted here by the cable car, which starts from the aquarium building. Its length is 1.25 km. Travel time one way is approximately 10 minutes. Ending station- near the 145-meter tower, which also bears the name of Vasco da Gama. Nowadays the 5-star Myriad hotel in a futuristic style is attached to the tower with panoramic views to the Tagus River and surrounding areas.
Helpful information
How to get to the Park of Nations
From the Oriente metro (or Oriente train station) to the central part of the Parc des Nations - 10 minutes walk.
Opening hours of the Park of Nations
The Park of Nations is accessible 24 hours a day. The cable car operates from 10:30 to 20:00 in the summer months, and from 11:00 to 19:00 in the winter months. The aquarium is open in summer - from 10:00 to 20:00, in winter - from 10:00 to 19:00. Entry closes one hour before closing.
Entrance fee
The cost of a cable car ticket is 3.95 euros one way. Round trip - 5.90 euros. For children under 7 years old - admission is free. For children from 7 to 12 years old and pensioners - 2 euros one way, 3.35 euros both ways. A ticket to the aquarium will cost 16 euros. For children under 3 years old admission is free. For children from 3 to 12 years old and pensioners - 11 euros.
Not far from historical center Lisbon has two interesting places with views of the sea and the most beautiful Lisbon bridges. One of them is the Park of Nations with the Vasco da Gama Bridge, the other is the ancient Belem and the 25th of April Bridge. Parque des Nations is easily accessible by metro, and Belém is just a few stops away by train, bus, or tram number 15. The places are completely different in spirit and appearance, but at the same time equally interesting and worth visiting.
1. Park of Nations - huge architectural complex on the shores of Lisbon Bay, open to world exhibition"Expo-98" and the anniversary of Vasco da Gama's return from his first expedition to India. Usually people come here for the whole day - there are many cafes, restaurants, entertainment complexes, an aquarium, and a cable car stretched along the embankment. I arrived for a couple of hours - and the main goal was to see the famous Vasco da Gama Bridge, one of two suspension bridges within Lisbon across Mar da Paglia Bay and the mouth of the Tagus River.
2. Park of Nations is a paradise for lovers of high-tech and modern architecture.
The Vasco da Gama cable-stayed bridge crosses the bay northeast of the city center. It was opened in 1998 for Expo 98 and the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama's discovery of the sea route to India. This is one of the longest bridges in Europe - 17 kilometers with approaches. At the same time, the length of the channel part is 830 meters and the central cable-stayed span is 420 meters. This is the second bridge over the Tagus River in Lisbon. The opening of this six-lane bridge has significantly relieved congestion. old bridge"April 25" and improve transport situation in the 3 million Lisbon metropolitan area.
Lisbon is located on the right bank of the Tagus River (one of the main rivers of Spain and Portugal) at its mouth - the wide Mar da Paglia Bay, which extends far inland. So it’s not quite a river anymore, but it’s not quite a sea either. :) The Vasco da Gama Bridge is located above the center of Lisbon along the river and further from the ocean - here the water in the bay is not yet salty, and the color of the water is not ocean blue, but river brown-brown. The depths are also shallow; in the bay, the fairway of the river bed on the right bank and shallow water spaces extending for many kilometers to the left bank are clearly visible.
3. The tides in Lisbon Bay are very strong - I found myself on the shore at low tide: the water went down several tens of meters, exposing the brown bottom. But some time passed, and it began to arrive literally before our eyes.
4. The central part of the Vasco da Gama bridge on the right bank of the Tagus estuary.
5. The trestle part extends for many kilometers along the shallow waters of the bay.
7. It’s already quite far from the ocean here - this part of the bay is quite shallow. The navigable fairway is marked with navigational signs.
8. In the Park of Nations, convenient bridges are laid along the coast.
9. It was built right there on the shore in 1998 large hotel and the 145-meter Vasco da Gama tower with an observation deck at the top. Unfortunately, this observation room has not been working for several years.
Now, from the relatively new Park of Nations, which opened 20 years ago, let’s move to ancient Belém. This is an old district of Lisbon, located on the shore of a bay, close to the ocean. It survived the 1755 earthquake and is home to a number of key must-see attractions in the Portuguese capital. Belem (or Belem, as it is also called) is associated with the sea and the Age of Discovery, the golden time when Portugal was the mistress of the seas.
10. From Lisbon Cais do Sodre station to Belem - just 8 minutes by high-speed train. Moreover, trains run every 20 minutes. The photo shows the square in front of the Belem Palace, the official residence of the President of Portugal.
11. Next is the perfectly preserved Jeronimos Monastery, a living witness of the Age of the Greats geographical discoveries. Its construction began as early as 1501, shortly after the return of Vasco da Gama from his first expedition to India, and was financed mainly by income received from the trade in Indian spices. The monastery, as often happened in those days, took more than a hundred years to build and was completed by the beginning of the 17th century.
14. Multi-colored houses and the pylon of the “25 April” suspension bridge - which opened in 1966 and connected the northern and southern coast Tagus Bay, near where it flows into the open ocean.
15. On the shore of the bay there is the famous Monument to the Discoverers. From here, centuries ago, brave travelers went to sea - in search of new lands, new adventures, new trade routes with new territories. They were heading towards the unknown... These were dangerous journeys; not all of these brave people were able to return to their home harbor of Lisbon.
17. At the top of the monument is Observation deck, which offers a gorgeous view of Belem, the bay and the bridge.
19. The 25th of April Bridge crosses the shores of the bay closer to the ocean than the Vasco da Gama Bridge. It’s already very deep here, there are no shallow waters and the water is no longer river brown, but real turquoise, sea water. Because of great depths and the difficulties of constructing supports, the bay had to be covered with a large span of a suspension system (a classic solution for bridges across large sea straits). Based on the length of the central span (1017 meters), this bridge is one of the 20 largest in the world. The bridge structures are painted red and are very similar (the central span is a little more than 1280 meters).
20. Unlike the second Lisbon bridge "Vasco da Gama", the "25 April Bridge" is combined: at the upper level there is a highway, and at the bottom there is a busy railway line connecting Lisbon with the south of Portugal.
21. A cruise ship passes under the span of the bridge, and the statue of Christ is on the high bank.
