The bridge construction took place while Portugal was living in it’s fascist regime, and was originally named after the goverment leader, Oliveira Salazar. It’s initially plan also included a train line, but the project has stopped for many years, only being concluded in 1999 and finally Portugal was connect from north to south with a single train line. It was now possible to get to Algarve from the center of Lisbon without changing transportation. The bridge was the fuel that galvanized the growth of the south margin of the river, making one of the greatest suburbs of Lisbon city, where thousands of Lisbon workers live and sleep every day.

In 1974, the fascist regime was overthrown, in the 25th of April. Given the memory of the old regent, the bridge changed it’s name to 25th of April, to celebrate democracy and freedom.

Every year, in March, the bridge is used in the Lisbon Half-Marathon race. The event, starts on the south side of the bridge, it is open to everyone who wants to participate. It’s a great opportunity to cross the bridge of foot and take some great photos of the city. Meanwhile, if you are visiting the city in some other time of the year, you can always take the train back and forth to Pragal (the first stop on the south side) and enjoy the view. The price is something below 2€ for each journey.

Located in the Parque das Nações area (former Expo 98 ground) it is side by side with the Gare do Oriente station, the main entry point by train in the city. At a short walking distance from it you can find FIL (International Fair and Congress Room), concert room Atlantico Pavilion, the Oceanário, the Casino Lisboa and a few other points of interest in this modern and new area. The building itself was the main gate to the Expo 98 exhibition and has converted to the existing infrastructure right after it’s end. The shopping has a large supermarket, cinemas and an underground parking lot. Keep in mind it’s existence because :

• Eating – Since it has a area dedicated to restaurants and most of them being fast food / menu choices, it’s easy to get a cheap meal here, if you sightseeing in the Parque das Nações (Expo 98) area. On the top floor you also have some more expensive restaurants, if you prefer a quieter and better meal.
• Sights – The building is modern and connected physically with the Gare do Oriente station. On top of it, two towers where built in the last few years, the S.Gabriel and S. Rafael Towers. They were named after two ships that the sea captain Vasco da Gama used when he discovered a sea-route to India, in 1497.  I recommend the top balcony, that you can access by stairs close to the restaurant area. The balcony has a great view of the Expo area and of the Tagus river and has some shady spots with chairs were you can relax and have a drink.
• Shopping – Well, it’s a shopping, so yes, you can do that there. 

General Info – Schedules

Shopping : 09:00h to 24:00h 
Supermarket : Monday to Saturday : 9h00 to 24h00; Sundays and Holidays: 9h00 to 13h00
Health Club Solinca: De Monday to Friday: 7h00 to 22h00;  Weekends and Holidays : 9h00 to 20h00
Cinemas : Tickets : Monday to Saturday: 11h30 to 24h30; Sundays and Holidays : 10h00 to 24h:30.

• Pasteis de Belém – They can be found in one of the oldest pastry houses in Lisbon, located right by the Jeronimos Monastery, in Belém area (between and the Monastery and the Belem Palace, where you can also find the Coches Museum). The “Pastel de Belém” is a unique recipe for a nationwide cake, the “Pastel de Nata”. The version you’ll be eating here is something you won’t find anywhere else. Choose a table, have your breakfast or afternoon snack here.

• Ginjinha – You may not be a big fan of alcoolic drinks, but don’t worry, as the ginjinha is a shot size drink, that won’t get in your system, at least if you have just one. The drink is a sweet version of brandy, and has in name (and taste) from the Ginja, a special kind of cherries that grow in Portugal. You can get one almost everywhere in town, but the most tipical spot to get one is in Praça de São Domingos, between Rua Portas de Santo Antão and the Rossio square.

• The Sun And The Sea – Like the title of our blog says, Lisbon in a sunny city, and located right by the ocean. The weather here is normally sunny, and even in the winter months when the temperature drops, you can almost everyday catch the sun outside. So enjoy yourself, take a train to Cascais and Estoril, have a walk by the beach, breath the salty air and feel the warmth of the sun on your skin.

• Fado - You’ll find it in every city guide, and it’s not enough to stress it. Lisboa spirit lives in Fado houses, little restaurants in the Alfama district where Fado, the national music, is sang, not by big stars, but by amateurs and residents, keeping it’s true nature. The songs are melancholic and sad, just like the blues. They speak of “saudade” the portuguese word, for missing something or someone.
• The Nightlife – When it’s time to party in Lisbon, schedules and clocks are left at home. The nightlife in the city starts late (around midnight) and ends up at… well whenever you feel like it, since there are houses open until 9 or 10 in morning. Enjoy the Bairro Alto district with is small bars or the riverside are of 24 de Julho, with it’s dance clubs. Have a beer and have fun, enjoy yourself.

Well the hills have been there since the beginning of time (give or take a million years) and the industrial age brought to Lisbon some solutions that would minimize the problem. So three funiculars and one elevator has built. I want to talk more about them in the future, but by now, I just want you to know that they exist and where they are located. So you have :

• Glória Funicular (Elevador da Glória) – It connects the Restauradores square with Bairro Alto
• Bica Funicular (Elevador da Bica) – It connects Av. Boavista (Cais do Sodré) to Bairro Alto
• Lavra Funicular (Elevador do Lavra) – It connects Rua de Portas de Santo Antão and Campo de Santa, close to São José Hospital.
• Santa Justa Elevator (Elevador de Santa Justa) - Today it goes nowhere. It used to connect the downtown area with Bairro Alto, but today it just gives you access to a nice café and a great view of the downtown area and the hill surrounding it.

The Casino Lisbon is worth seeing at night, when it’s working at full steam. It’s design is modern and it target a younger audience than the one that for instance Casino Estoril bets on. It has a lot of sitting space to take a drink, live music and circus performances. About the prices, their are about right, nothing too expensive. The casino also has a restaurant, but not the cheapest place around.

If you like gambling, welcome aboard. Casino Lisboa has more than 1000 slot machines, Black Jack and Roulette tables. Keep in mind restriction while traveling with children, since access is only allowed to people older than 18 years old.

Unless you are really into gambling, I would say that the casino is not worth the trip alone. But given what you can find the surrounding area, I would suggest an  afternoon walk through Parque das Nações (where you can visit the Oceanário, one of the world biggest aquariums), have dinner close by and have a drink at the Casino before returning “home” for a good night sleep.