Oceanário: Europe's largest aquarium
The largest indoor aquarium in Europe
During Expo '98, the Oceanário was already a top attraction and today it still continues to draw crowds. Europe's largest indoor aquarium features 30 basins with 7.5 million litres of salt water that are home to 15,000 creatures of 500 different species. Visitors can take a close-up look at the residents of the 7 seas: bright parrot fish from the Indian Ocean, striped catsharks from the Atlantic Ocean and playful sea otters from the Bering Sea. Since its inauguration, 16 million people have visited the Oceanário.
Santiago Calatrava’s Oriente station
Trendy art and futuristic architecture
Art and architecture lovers will have plenty to enjoy at the Parque das Nações. Dozens of works of art are scattered around the area, such as the 20-metre-high 'Sun-Man' by Jorge Vieira and a cartoonish tile tableau by Erró. Most visitors arrive via the futuristic station designed by Santiago Calatrava. A magnificent hotel has been built right next to the iconic Torre Vasco da Gama and João Luís Carrilho da Graça's Pavilhão do Conhecimento (Pavilion of Knowledge) houses an interesting science museum.
Waterfall in the Jardins d’Água
Picnic with a view of the Tagus
Although the name suggests otherwise, Parque das Nações is not a big green city park though there is plenty of green space available. Next to the Oceanário lies the Jardins d’Água, a water garden with ponds, a splashing waterfall, walking trails and benches under the palm trees. Along the banks of the Tagus is the Jardim Garcia d’Orta, perfect for a picnic with a view of the river. The area’s largest park, Jardim do Passeio dos Heróis do Mar, can be found under the Ponte Vasco da Gama. From here ride the cable car back to the Jardins d’Água.
