Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon was my destination on the ninth day of my holidays in Portugal. As the longest bridge in Europe (17,2 kilometres) it connects the two banks of the Tagus river. Its construction began in the 1990s. The bridge was opened to traffic for Expo in 1998.
The impressive Vasco da Gama Bridge in Lisbon
The idea to construct such a long and wide bridge (8 road lanes) emerged in 1991. It was built in order to reduce traffic on the 25th of April Bridge. As the name suggests, it was built to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the famous sailor's discovery of the sea route from Portugal to India.
A park next to the Vasco da Gama Bridge, Lisbon
For those who travel with children and those who are fascinated by the underwater life I may recommend the Lisbon Oceanarium which is located in the same district. It's the largest building of that sort in Europe. The unforgeable experience guaranteed! However, you have to prepare yourself for quite long queues, especially in the summer.
Park of the Nations, Lisbon
The Oceanarium is situated next to the huge shopping centre where one can rest, eat, and go shopping and benefit from the prices that are lower here than in Poland (for example: clothes in Zara, Pull & Bear or Bershka etc.). Sometimes prices are even about 30% lower.
Park of the Nations, Lisbon
To the Vasco da Gama Bridge and to the Oceanarium we can get by taking the Underground and getting off the train on the Oriente Station.
