Arrive at Oriente and spend ten minutes on the upper platforms before leaving the station — the canopy is the reason to come by train. Oceanário at opening, before the tour groups; the Pavilhão do Conhecimento afterwards if it turns wet. Take the cable car north rather than walking it, get off at the far end for the Garcia de Orta garden, and put the Vasco da Gama bridge on your right the whole way. A drink at the top of the Torre Vasco da Gama buys the view. Evenings are quiet here — the casino's bar stage has free live music most nights, and the MEO Arena is worth checking before you write the night off.
Parque das Nações
~8hExpo '98 grounds — steel, water and river, laid out flat
- Gare do Oriente
Calatrava's station — a canopy of steel palm trees. Walk the upper platforms, not just the concourse.
- Oceanário de Lisboa
One of the world's great aquariums, built around a vast central tank.
- Pavilhão do Conhecimento
Hands-on science museum in the Expo '98 grounds — great rainy-day option.
- Telecabine Lisboa
Cable car gliding along the river with Vasco da Gama Bridge views.
- Jardim Garcia de Ortalocal
Riverside garden planted with species Portuguese ships brought home — labelled by where they came from.
- Torre Vasco da Gama
The sail-shaped tower at the north end — the top floors are a hotel bar, so the view costs a drink.
- Casino Lisboa
Free live music most nights on the bar stage — you needn't touch a table to make an evening of it.