Lisboa Parque Das Nações

From Lisboa, take the metro to M: Oriente at the end of the red line. The station has escalators to the park’s main entrance, through the Centro Vasco da Gama shopping center. (☎218 93 06 01; www.centrovascodagama.pt. Open daily 10am-midnight.) Alternatively, city buses #5, 25, 28, 44, 68, 210, 708, 750, 759, and 79 all stop at the Oriente station (€1.35). Parque das Nações (☎218 91 93 33; www.parquedasnacoes.pt). If you are planing to visit many attractions buy the Cartâo do Parque. (€17.50, under 17/ over 65 €9).

Until the mid-1990s, this area was a muddy mess consisting of a few run-down factories and warehouses along the banks of the Tejo. Today, after millions spent preparing for the 1998 World Exposition, the Parque das Nações (Park of Nations) is a masterpiece in civil planning and engineering. Much more than a park, the region is becoming a small city, with residential areas to the north and south. Visitors can find map kiosks outside the Centro Vasco da Gama shopping mall across the street, at the information center. On the way in, take a look at the unusual Estação Oriente. Santiago Calatrava, Spain’s most famous contemporary architect, designed its arches. The park extends along the river, enclosing numerous exhibitions and attractions for kids and adults alike.

Oceanário. The park’s biggest attraction, this enormous oceanarium has interactive sections showcasing the four major oceans, recreating their character right down to their sounds, smells, and climates. All of these connect to the main tank, which has over 470 different species of fish, sharks, and other sea creatures. Visitors can get within arm’s length of playful sea otters and penguins. ( ☎218 91 70 02/06; www.oceanario.pt. Open daily Apr.-Oct. 10am-7pm; Nov.-Mar. 10am-6pm. €11, under 12 €5.50, over 65 €6. Families with children pay one price of €26.50.)

Cable Cars. Gondolas connect the ends of the park and offer visitors a bird’s eye view of the park and Rio Tejo. ( ☎218 95 61 43. 8min.; M-F 11am-7pm Sa-Su 10am-7pm €3.90 one-way, €6 round-trip; under 14, over 65 €2/€3.30 round-trip.)