A Guide To Vasco Da Gama Bridge: The Second Longest Bridge In Europe

The second longest bridge in Europe after the Crimean Bridge, the Vasco da Gama Bridge was opened to traffic on March 29, 1998. Its inauguration took place during the Expo 98: the World’s Fair that celebrated the 500th anniversary of the discovery by Vasco da Gama. He searched the sea route from Europe to India. Designed by a consortium of architects, more than 3,000 workers were involved for 18 months to complete the bridge from start to finish.

About The Vasco Da Gama Bridge

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Stretching across the Tagus River, Vasco da Gama Bridge is a cable-style bridge. It has been constructed to relieve the traffic in Lisbon and to transport visitors from the best parts of Europe. The bridge is 12.3 km long, much of which is above the water. If you are one of those who would like to explore the attractions of Lisbon, you must add Vasco da Gama Bridge and its nearby attractions in the Lisbon trip itinerary.

Having been designed by Armando Rito, the Vasco da Gama Bridge is one of the longest bridges in Europe today. This cable-stayed bridge spans to the Tagus River in Parque das Nações in Lisbon, Portugal. It is the second longest bridge in Europe after the Crimean Bridge with a total length of 12.3 kilometers. The main motive was the construction of a bridge which could ease traffic between the country’s northern and southern regions.

It took around 3 years to finish the construction of this bridge. Opened for traffic in 1998, it has become one of the most famous tourist attractions today. Named after the explorer Vasco da Gama, tourists consider driving across this bridge to watch the scenic beauty and its architectural marvel. This bridge carries six road lanes which experience a daily average of 52,000 vehicles.

6 Places To Visit Around Vasco da Gama Bridge

There are several places to visit nearby the Vasco da Gama Bridge. You can visit the Parque das Nacoes, one of the most modern areas in Lisbon to enjoy the views of the landscape there. Here are the 6 places:

1. Oceanario De Lisboa

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A famous place in Lisbon, Portugal, the Oceanario de Lisboa is an oceanarium of sorts. The exhibition ground for the Expo ’98 had remained popular all over the world then due to its large space and beautiful location. In fact, it was largest of the indoor aquarium in Europe. Oceanario de Lisboa still maintains its distinction and is known throughout the world for being home to penguins, seagulls, and other birds. Nature lovers can explore this place.

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2. Parque Das Nacoes

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A redeveloped area on the Tagus River, Parque das Nacoes is a popular tourist destination whose lush green forests seek the attention of tourists. It is visited by those people wanting to explore the vast Lisbon Oceanarium, Green spaces, striking contemporary buildings like the Camões Theatre and et al. Apart from the attractions, trendy & modern waterfront restaurants at this place also attract the families to visit and enjoy fine dining.

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3. Epic Surf School

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If you or any of your friends or family members wants to learn the skill of surfing, then you don’t have a better option than visiting the Epic Surf School. This surfing school is a one-stop place for a surfer who usually plan time after the day job in the city and share his/her knowledge about the art of riding waves through total assistance to travellers. People not only learn to surf, but also get ample chance to taste the local foods in their original flavours.

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4. Vasco Da Gama Shopping Centre

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Who else does not like shopping? If you are looking for a paradise for shoppers in Lisbon, you may plan a visit to Vasco da Gama Shopping Centre. This famous multilevel mall is bordered with a glass ceiling that feature number of national and international retailers & eateries. In addition, this mall also has a cinema hall for the entertainment of visitors. The eateries guarantee awesome & fresh food with unforgettable flavour. You may also purchase local gift items for your friends and colleagues.

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5. Altice Arena

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Altice Arena is a great place for the tourists looking for attractions to visit near the Vasco da Gama Bridge. Located in Lisbon, Portugal , Altice Arena is a multi-purpose indoor arena. Built in 1998 for Expo ’98, the arena has the capacity of 20,000 people. It is one of the largest indoor arenas in the European Union and the largest one in Portugal. You can plan your visit to the area with family and friends as there is an ample space to spend some quality time in a peaceful and serene environment.

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6. Lisbonne Ame And Secrets

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To explore the hidden beauty of Lisbon, you should plan visiting Lisbonne Ame & Secrets. Away from the crowds, Lisbon is full of hidden beauties and unexplored attractions. To capture the beauty of Lisbon, some of its attractions offer you an unusual escape from the hustle-bustle of the city and take you in the heart of the most picturesque neighbourhoods.

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There are several places to visit around Vasco da Gama Bridge on your trip to Portugal . So, you must plan your trip and explore these places keenly. Plan your trip well in advance to uncover the hidden beauty of this bridge as well as the nearby attractions. You can reach to this bridge by metro, cable car and or miniature trains. A visit to this place remains a once-in-a-lifetime experience for travellers.

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