Parque das Nações

Parque das Nações (Park of Nations) was originally the site of Expo 98 and since has been transformed into the striking ultra modern side of historic and traditional Lisbon. The 0.5 square kilometre park which borders the estuary of the Rio Tejo (River Tagus) is a fantastic place to visit by both day, for family activities, and night, for eating, drinking and dancing.

Parque das Nações which is still referred to as Expo Park or just Expo by Lisbon residents was the site of the World Fair of 1998. Expo 98 was planned to coincide with Portugal’s celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama's arrival in India, in 1498, and this presented the organisers a flexible and varied theme based around the world’s oceans, with a title of "The Oceans: A Heritage for the Future".

 

The theme was inter-wound into the design and architecture found through the Parque das Nações and includes; the spinnaker observation tower, the twin towers styled as 15th century caravels, the wonderfully designed Gare do Orient station and the cruise ship based shopping centre.

After the ticket offices closed on Expo 98 many feared that the area would become an expensive disused area but after good management and foresight the area of Parque das Nações has been transformed into both a trend setting area of the capital and popular tourist destination.

 

Parque das Nações is great during the day for families with activities that include a cable car stretching the length of the park, the impressive Oceanarium and water related exhibits. The joint metro, train and bus station opens out into one of Lisbon’s better shopping complexes which include large cinema. Above the Vasco da Gama shopping centre are two apartment blocks which represent two of Vasco da Gama’s ships used of his epic voyage to India, the Sao Gabriel and the Sao Rafael.

 

The Oceanarium of Lisbon is regarded as the one of the best in the world and is divided into four sections to represent the four climatic zones and is a fantastic tourist attraction for families and couples a like to read further please click here.

 

Lisbon’s tallest building, at 145 m, the Torre Vasco da Gama marks the northern edge of the park and acts as a giant flag pole for visitors entering Lisbon across the Vasco da Gama bridge which was again constructed for Expo 98. The Vasco da Gama tower once had a panoramic viewing restaurant but since 2007 has undergone an extensive re-construction to build Lisbon’s premiere hotel which will hopefully be open mid 2012. The southern edge of the park is marked by a relic from the area before Expo 98, a large disused petro chemical tower.

Between the two extremities of the park are interactive exhibits, carefully maintained gardens and water features all are enjoyable walking through. The old exhibit halls of Expo 98 have been converted into a range of venues designed to help transport Lisbon into an entertainment and cultural centre.

The largest of these exhibit halls renamed the Pavihao Atlantico (Atlantic Pavilion) is Lisbon's main multi-purpose indoor arena where touring concerts perform. The main entrance to Expo 98, called the sun entrance, was rebranded into the Centro Vasco da Gama a large shopping centre and cinema complex. Parque das Nações has been slowly improving and one of the disused water areas has been recently converted into the Marina Parque das Nações which has capacity for 600 berths and river pier for cruises boats.

 

After many years of negotiations the Future Pavilion exhibit was converted into the Casino Lisboa, which blends entertainment and gambling. As the sun sets the park transforms into the nightlife hub of Lisbon lined with bars, restaurants and, opening much later, trendy night clubs.

 

All of bars of Parque das Nações have conjugated close together in one long strip with a variety to suit all tastes; it is possible to drink a Guinness in the Irish bar, sing a song at a Karaoke bar, strut your stuff in the salsa bar and end up smoking Shisha at the Moroccan bar all in one night. As these bars are in a trendy area expect to pay “exclusive” prices for drinks.

Sights of Parque das Nações

The Oceanarium - Vasco da Gamma shopping Centre
Cable Car - Vasco da Gamma Bridge
Gare do Oriente - The Vasco da Gama Tower