Lisbon’s exhibition park was upgraded and renamed for the Expo ’98 world exposition, which revitalised the city and brought international tourists and interest flooding in. The site is now worthy of a full day’s sightseeing, featuring several attractions, not least of which is the Lisbon Oceanarium with its 15,000 living examples of marine life. The main tank holds enough water to fill four Olympic-sized swimming pools, and is viewed from two floors through curved glass panels that provide a 180-degree view. Another popular diversion is the Virtual Reality Pavilion, which showcases the Portuguese age of discovery. Other attractions include a science centre, cable car, the Vasco da Gama Tower and numerous bars and restaurants offering Portuguese cuisine.
Address: Avenue D. João II, Lote
Telephone: 21 891 9333 or 21 891 9898
Transport: Buses, trains and the metro go to Oriente Station
Opening Time: Oceanarium: daily 10am to 8pm (until 7pm in winter
Admission: Oceanarium: €10 (adults), €5 (children 4-12).