Parks and the Zoo, Lisbon

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You can get to this park by underground either getting off at Parque or Marquis de Pombal Station on the blue line. If you get off at Marquis de Pombal you are at the bottom of the park and you will walk through it by walking up the hill. The park was a pleasant enough place for a stroll and had great views from the top. We found an interesting building with tile covered walls that had once been an exhibition hall to the right hand side of the park as we climbed up. At the top of park there is a monument and fountain. There is also a small park across the road at the top of the park. It had great views, a lovely restaurant on a duck pond and an interesting motherhood statue. In the English Court Shopping mall nearby there was a big supermarket.

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Built for EXPO 98, this huge aquarium is a marvel of conception, and a mandatory visit to every child (and adults also!).

More than the large collection, covering all the world, the way they reproduce the environmental conditions of each species, it's almost perfect.

Around it, the other remains of the exhibition justify several hours of strolling relax, with all kind of events nearby.

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The park Eduardo VII marks the northermost and highest point of Pombal's Lisbon. It is a beautiful park, with excelent views over Lisbon and the River.

There you may see the discussed (easy to understand why) monument of the 25 th April, the Estufa Fria, and the beautiful oldest sport pavillion of Lisbon.

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No one visits Lisbon without passing by Eduardo VII park.

Most people opt for a superficial visit, only to enjoy the superb views from its top; but the appreciators of Nature, and those who want to know all the details, may stop a while and visit the greenhouses in the park.

Initially a cold greenhouse, after several additions (warm and sweet greenhouses) it shows today a large variety of plants, some of them exotic, and composing a beautiful garden that you may see in a short and relaxing time.

The entrance is free... I think! A 3€ ticket was announced, starting...

The area adjacent to the entrance is now used for... occasional meetings, however, it seems to be safe during the day.

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It was Monday and our plan was to go to Sintra because almost everything is closed on Mondays in Lisbon. But it rained the whole night and when we woke up it still didn't stop. So we decided to go to Parque das Nações and visit Oceanario. When we came out of the Metro station it wasn't raining too much and we procceded to Oceanarium.But from minute to minute it rained more and more and we came to the entrance totally wet even thouh we had umbrellas with us.

After all I've heard about the Oceanario I expected more that I saw.((((: I found nothing so special.In comparison to other similar Ocenarios in Europe I must say i was a little dissapointed.

Entrance fees are pretty high.

The zoo is always a challenge. With a menagerie of 2,000 animals from more than 370 species, the Zoological Gardens is always a popular spot. Admission is pricey, but in addition to the usual habitats and enclosures there's a children's zoo, with miniature houses and small animals.

A nice and interesting day trip, with a lot to see and learn and if you are not to tired in the end, you have the opportunity to do some shopping.
Arriving by underground brings you directly to the Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre. If you don't like shopping, you might be interested in the architecture. It's a huge building, flooded with light because it's covered with a glass-roof. The floor shows maritime mosaics. Leaving the center on the other side brings you to an information desk where you can buy the PdN card. (www.parquedasnacoes.pt/en/destaques/cartaoparque.asp) Prices: PdN card 14€ / 7€
On the area you find the Oceanarium, gardens, science pavillons, a tower, an excursion train and a cable car.
Next to the entrance of the Oceanarium is a souvenir shop and a cafe. The last one offers quite good cafe and apple-pie to normal prices which was a nice surprise.
It's a very pleasant area, take a book with you and have a rest next to the river sitting in the shadow of one of the trees.
Children will definitely have fun in the oceanarium, using the excursion car and exploring the gardens.

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One of the best and largest aquariums with those of Barcellona and Seville in Spain.
Really worthwhile visiting.
Outside the centre of Lisbon on the Expo 98 site. Easiest is to go there by taxi (they are not expensive in Lisbon) but ask the driver to bring you the "Oceanografico" not just at the general entrance which is still far away from the Aquarium.
The "Oceanografico" is composed of five parts on three floors:
The Global Ocean in the centre of the building is an impressive 1.000 m2 and 5.000 m3 tank with a depth of 7 m with four massive 49 m2 (each!) acrylic windows on its sides and smaller windows at the corners. The water temperature is kept at a mild level so that about 100 species share this aquarium. Sharks, rays, among others are swimming around.
Quite amazing is the ocean sunfish, Mola mola, it is the heaviest known bony fish in the world. In French we call him Poisson Lune (moon fish).
There are four other parts: North Atlantic, Antarctic, Temperate Pacific and Tropical Indian each with their specific fauna and decor.

Open
Summer – 10.00 h
Ticket office close – 19.00 h, Exhibits close – 20.00 h
Winter – 10.00 h
Ticket office close – 18.00 h, Exhibits close – 19.00 h

Entrance prices: normal 12 €; 4 - 12 yr 6€; seniors 6,50 €.
Photos allowed without flash.

The OCEANÁRIO has a restaurant ÁGUA E SAL which is comfortable and good.