Parque das Nacoes, Lisbon: Oceanario, Cable Car and Riverside

Parque das Nações is modern Lisbon: the former Expo ’98 site along the river, with wide flat promenades, the city’s famous aquarium, a cable car, striking architecture and gardens. It’s a great area for families, for a stroll or bike ride by the water, and for staying close to the airport.

Quick answer: visit the Oceanário (from €25.50 for adults, cheapest in the afternoon), ride the Telecabine cable car along the river, take kids to the Pavilhão do Conhecimento science centre (€11), and walk or cycle the riverside to the Vasco da Gama Bridge. Get there on the metro red line to Oriente. The airport is only 5–10 minutes away.

Why go

Old Lisbon is all steep cobbles and narrow lanes. Parque das Nações is the opposite: flat, spacious and easy with a buggy or a wheelchair. The area was rebuilt on old industrial land for the 1998 World Expo, and today it’s a lived-in neighbourhood of flats, offices and parks along about 5km of riverfront. Come for a family day, a change of pace from the historic centre, or a last afternoon before a flight.

Things to do

Oceanário de Lisboa

One of the best aquariums in Europe, built around a vast central tank with sharks, rays and sunfish, plus sea otters and the “Southern Ocean” habitat, which reopened in 2025 with Magellanic penguins. Adult tickets cost €25.50–29.90 depending on the time slot (afternoons are cheapest), children aged 3 to 12 pay from about €15.50, and under-3s go free. Usually open 10am to 8pm every day, with last entry an hour before closing. Allow 2 to 3 hours. Book online. See tickets.

Telecabine Lisboa

A cable car running about 1.2km along the riverfront, roughly 30 metres up, between a station near the Oceanário and one near the Vasco da Gama Tower. The ride takes about 10 minutes each way, with views of the Tagus, the bridge and the Expo buildings. It usually opens around 11am, with shorter hours in winter. One-way and return tickets are sold at the stations; check the current fare before you go.

Pavilhão do Conhecimento

A hands-on science centre, brilliant for kids and a lifesaver on rainy days. €11 for adults, with family tickets at the desk. Usually open 10am to 6pm from Tuesday to Friday and until 7pm at weekends and on holidays; closed on Mondays. Allow about 2 hours, and book online for rainy weekends and school holidays.

The riverside

Flat promenades for walking, scootering and cycling, with gardens, fountains, playgrounds and the Garden of Waters. The Garcia de Orta gardens by the river, named after a 16th-century Portuguese botanist, are planted with species from Portugal’s former overseas territories. Head north to the Vasco da Gama Bridge, one of the longest in Europe at over 12km. A walk from the Oceanário to the bridge and back takes about an hour and a half. Bikes and scooters can be hired through the usual apps.

Gare do Oriente

Santiago Calatrava’s spectacular station, with its forest of white steel “trees” over the platforms. Next door, the Vasco da Gama shopping centre has restaurants and a food court.

Portugal Pavilion

Álvaro Siza Vieira’s pavilion for Expo ’98, near the Oceanário, is famous for its huge, thin concrete canopy that hangs like a sheet between two porticos. It’s free to look at from outside.

Events

The MEO Arena hosts big concerts, and the Casino Lisboa has shows and restaurants. The FIL exhibition centre holds fairs throughout the year.

A one-day family route

• 10am: the Oceanário as it opens, before school groups arrive.
• 12:30pm: lunch on the riverfront or at the shopping centre food court.
• 2pm: the Pavilhão do Conhecimento, next to the aquarium.
• 4:30pm: the Telecabine north along the river.
• 5pm: walk or scoot towards the bridge and the playgrounds, then back to Oriente.

Short on time? The Oceanário plus a riverside walk makes a good half day. On a Monday, swap the science centre for a longer walk or the cable car, as it’s closed.

Food

The riverside is lined with restaurants and terraces serving grilled fish, seafood rice and steaks, along with pizza and burgers for the kids. Prices are a little higher than in the old town’s small tascas, but you’re paying for the river view. For something quick and cheap, the food court at the Vasco da Gama shopping centre works well. See what to eat in Portugal.

Where to stay

Parque das Nações is great for families, business travellers and anyone with an early flight.

• MYRIAD by SANA: a five-star in the sail-shaped tower by the river, with spectacular views.
• Tivoli Oriente: a modern four-star with river views, next to the station.
• Meliá Lisboa Oriente: a stylish hotel by Oriente.
• Moxy Lisboa Oriente: a fun, good-value option for younger travellers.

Compare areas in where to stay in Lisbon.

Getting there

• Metro: the red line to Oriente, about 20 minutes from the centre (change at Alameda or São Sebastião). A single costs about €1.90, or €1.72 with zapping credit on a navegante card.
• Train: Oriente is a main station for trains to Porto and the Algarve. See Lisbon to Porto by train and Lisbon to the Algarve.
• Airport: 3 metro stops, or 5–10 minutes by car. See Lisbon airport to the city.
• Taxi or ride-hailing: about 15 to 20 minutes from the Baixa outside rush hour.
• Driving: there are large underground car parks, including at the shopping centre, but the metro is easier.

When to go

Any time. The riverside is at its best on spring and autumn afternoons. In summer, bring sun cream and water, as there’s not much shade along the promenade. On wet days the aquarium and science centre get busy, so book ahead.

Practical tips

• Weekdays are quieter, though school groups fill the Oceanário on weekday mornings in term time.
• The wind off the river can be strong, so bring a layer even on sunny days.
• Use a navegante card or contactless on the metro, rather than buying single tickets.

FAQ

How do I get to Parque das Nações from central Lisbon?

Take the metro red line to Oriente, about 20 minutes from the centre with a change at Alameda or São Sebastião. A 24-hour public transport pass costs about €7.25 if you plan to ride a lot.

How much does the Oceanário cost?

Adults pay €25.50 to €29.90 depending on the time slot, and children aged 3 to 12 pay about €15.50 to €17.70. Under-3s go free, and the late afternoon slots are the cheapest.

Is Parque das Nações a good area to stay in?

Yes, if you have children, an early flight or business at the FIL. It’s modern, flat and quiet in the evenings, but the old town is about 20 minutes away by metro.

More family ideas: Lisbon with kids and Lisbon on a rainy day.

See also: the Oceanario guide and parking in Lisbon.

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