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.

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), and children from about €15.50. Open 10am to 8pm. Book online. See tickets.

Telecabine Lisboa

A cable car running 1.25km along the riverfront, with views of the Tagus, the bridge and the Expo buildings. About €10 one way for adults. Shorter hours in winter.

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.

The riverside

Flat promenades for walking, scootering and cycling, with gardens, fountains, playgrounds and the Garden of Waters. Head north to the Vasco da Gama Bridge, one of the longest in Europe at over 12km.

Gare do Oriente

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

Events

The MEO Arena hosts big concerts, and the Casino Lisboa has shows and restaurants.

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).
• Train: Oriente is a main station for trains to Porto and the Algarve.
• Airport: 3 metro stops, or 5–10 minutes by car. See Lisbon airport to the city.

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

Some links in this guide are affiliate links (GetYourGuide, Booking.com, Discover Cars). If you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep our groups and this site free.