Standing tall on the north bank of the Tagus river in Lisbon's Parque das Nações civil parish, the Vasco da Gama Tower is a striking 160-metre (520 ft) lattice tower with skyscraper. Named after the famous Portuguese explorer who charted the maritime route to India in 1498, the tower portion is the tallest structure in Lisbon. Originally built in 1998 for the Expo '98 World's Fair, its soaring architecture was designed by Leonor Janeiro, Nick Jacobs, and SOM.
When you gaze up at the structure, you will see a design inspired by the classic form of a caravel and its sail. Its base enters the river like a boat's bow supported by pillars, while a vertical mast and tubular metallic sail lead to a 120-metre platform styled as a crow's nest. Inside, panoramic elevators once swept visitors up to the top.
While the original Expo pavilion base was demolished, the site now incorporates the 5-star Myriad hotel, which opened in 2012. Today, you can visit the top of the tower where the observation space was transformed into Fifty Seconds, a Michelin-starred panoramic restaurant by chef Martín Berasategui.
What to see at Vasco da Gama Tower
- Marvel at the tallest tower structure in Lisbon, standing 160 metres high along the Tagus river.
- Admire unique architecture designed by SOM, Leonor Janeiro, and Nick Jacobs, crafted to resemble a caravel's sail and mast.
- Discover a site steeped in history from its debut as a 1998 World's Fair European Union Pavilion to a solo climb by urban climber Alain Robert.
- Dine at Fifty Seconds, the Michelin-starred panoramic restaurant located in the tower's 120-metre 'crow's nest' platform.
Visiting tips
Look closely at the building's base and metallic superstructure to see how the architects mirrored the bow, mast, and sail of an ocean-going caravel ship.
How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Evening
How to get there & what’s nearby
Vasco da Gama Tower is easy to reach on Lisbon’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Lisbon travel guide.
See the full Lisbon travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.