Lisbon Guides: Meo Arena (Altice Arena)
Meo Arena aka Altice Arena (Atlantic Pavilion)
The Atlantic Pavilion aka Altice Arena (now named the MEO Arena) in the Parque das Nações district of Lisbon is the largest multi-use center in Portugal and has a beautiful wooden structure supporting the roof.
The building was designed by Portuguese architect Regino Cruz and hosts major pop concerts.
Many big name acts from all over the world play here.
History
The arena was constructed in time for Expo 98 in Lisbon and was the country's first large indoor arena with a capacity for 20,000 people.
Initially known as Atlantic Pavilion, the arena first became the Meo Arena after the naming rights were sold and later the Altice Arena when Meo was acquired by Altice.
The Portuguese architect Regino Cruz worked with American architectural design company Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to construct the building.
SOM was also a co-designer of the nearby 45-meter-tall Vasco da Gama Tower also in Parque das Nações.
Features
The wooden supports for the roof hark back to the carrack, an iconic sailing ship that revolutionized sea travel in its time and was the vessel that propelled the Age of Discoveries, when Portuguese ships set sail across the oceans to Brazil, Africa, India, Macau in China and even as far as Japan.
The overall design includes several ecologically-friendly features to maximize light in winter and shade in summer.
Some of the many artists who have performed hear include Justin Bieber, Cirque du Soleil, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Madonna, George Michael and The Who.
As well as pop concerts the arena hosts various indoor sporting events including athletics, basketball, fencing, futsal, and handball.
Conferences and other events also make use of this wonderful indoor space.
Access
Rossio dos Olivais, Lote 2.13.01A
1990-231 Lisboa
Tel: 21 891 8409
Buses: #5, #25, #28, #44, #208, #210, #708, #750, #759, #794. Subway: to Gare do Oriente, Linha Oriente (red); there are also suburban line trains to Oriente Station.
The arena is just 10 minutes from Lisbon Airport.
Nearby
Lisbon's Parque Das Nações, situated on the Tagus river in the north east of Lisbon, was built for the 1998 Expo and is a major redevelopment with residential areas, restaurants and shopping.
The site is accessed from the impressive Gare do Oriente Station and includes the Pavilhão de Portugal, designed by Alvaro Siza Vieira, the Atlantic Pavilion, the Oceanário aquarium, the Vasco da Gama Tower, the Pavilhão do Conhecimento Ciência Viva and a cable car, the Telecabine Lisboa.
The Oceanário de Lisboa aquarium (Tel: 218 917 002) by US architect Peter Chermayeff was the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world when it opened for the Expo in May 1998. There are over 16,000 animals from 450 species on display including manta rays, sea otters, penguins, rays and sharks.
The Pavilhão do Conhecimento Ciência Viva (Tel: 218 917 100) is a science and technology museum with many interactive exhibits including an invisible harp. The building was designed by Carrilho da Graça and has a kids' playground and cafe.
The 145 meter-tall, steel Vasco da Gama Tower symbolizes the sail of a caravel and references the history of Portuguese exploration and the Age of Discoveries. The Camões Theatre is now the home of the Portuguese National Ballet.
The Parque Das Nações has a number of waterside bars and restaurants and the site has many pieces of modern art, as well as fountains and natural park spaces.
Artists such as Jorge Vieira, Leonel Moura, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Rui Chafes, Susumu Shingu, Ilda David, Yayoi Kusama and Amy Yoes all contributed pieces.
Accommodation
There are a number of mostly large hotels near Gare do Oriente in the Parque das Nações district including Olissippo Oriente, Tivoli Oriente, ibis Lisboa Parque das Naçoes, Myriad by Sana and the TRYP Lisboa Oriente Hotel.
The five star Myriad by Sana Hotel (previously) the Torre Vasco da Gama Royal Hotel is a standout accommodation in Lisbon.
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