The Altice Arena is Portugal’s most significant indoor venue, known for its innovative architecture and for hosting various events. Here’s a guide with everything you need to know about it!
The Altice Arena, located in the Parque das Nações district of Lisbon, is the largest multipurpose indoor arena in Portugal. It was originally built for the 1998 World Exposition (Expo ’98), an event which focused on global culture and technological progress, but since then it’s hosted events of all kinds.
Whether you’re visiting the arena for a concert or a business summit, there are a few things you should know beforehand. That’s why I’ve decided to give you all the insider tips and info to help you make the most of your experience! So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
Altice Arena Lisbon (Atlantic Pavilion) – In a nutshell
- Schedule/tickets: official website
- Address: Rossio dos Olivais, 1990-231 Lisboa
- Nearest station: Oriente Station
- Capacity: 20.100 people
Index
- History
- Event calendar and tickets
- How to get there?
- Facilities at Altice Arena
- Fun facts
- Where to stay near Altice Arena?
1. History
The Altice Arena, previously known as the MEO Arena and originally named Pavilhão Atlântico, is situated near Oriente Station and is one of Lisbon’s most famous modern buildings.
Built from 1996 to 1998 for Expo ‘98, it was designed to accommodate events such as concerts, congresses, and sports competitions at an international level. It’s Portugal’s largest indoor venue, with a capacity of 20,100 people.
Architect Regino Cruz, who had a hand in designing the Vasco da Gama Tower as well, and Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) were responsible for designing Altice Arena. They decided for its distinctive horseshoe shape not only to reduce visual impact, but also to increase energy efficiency and manage visitor flow more effectively.
From the beginning, Altice Arena was designed taking into consideration environmental factors. For example, its placement and shape means it gets more sunlight during winter and less during summer, which helps with the internal temperature control. It’s such a simple, but smart solution!
Also, natural ventilation systems were implemented to maintain air quality without depending too much on air-conditioning. Overall, the whole structure is a great example of Lisbon’s efforts to incorporate environmentally conscious designs into architectural developments. And that’s something other cities could definitely learn from Lisbon, am I right?
2. Event calendar and tickets
It doesn’t matter what you’re into, whether it’s music, art, business or even anime, the Altice Arena probably has offered or will offer an event that spikes your interest. And you can keep up with the new events at the official website. The calendar is updated regularly and you can sort events by date and type.
You can also easily buy your tickets at the same website, where you’ll be able to select your seats and check out the venue policy details along with accessibility information for each event. After that, you’ll be ready for your unforgettable time at Altice Arena!
3. How to get there?
Altice Arena is located in Parque das Nações, known for being the most modern Lisbon neighborhood. It may be a bit far from the city center, but it makes up for it by being very well connected by public transportation.
The Orient Station is only 400m from the Altice Arena, and it serves both the red line of the metro and regional trains. This means it’s very easy to get there, even for visitors who may not be familiar with Lisbon’s transport systems.
If you’re driving, there are parking spaces at Arena Expo Parking, just a short walk from the entrance. But if you don’t want to deal with traffic or parking, buses are another practical option. The numbers 705, 725, 750, 759, and 794 run regularly and have stops close to Altice Arena.
If you’re arriving by plane, you’ll be glad to know the venue is also very accessible for international guests. The Lisbon Airport is only about ten minutes away by car from Altice Arena, so you can just hop off the plane and head to the venue, if needed!
4. Facilities at Altice Arena
Since it’s such a big and important venue, Altice Arena offers a great range of facilities to make sure visitors have a good experience. For example, there are various bars and restaurants that offer everything from snacks to full meals, and a cloakroom service so that guests can leave their items during events.
There’s also an ATM on-site, and plenty of areas specifically designed for visitors with reduced mobility. Additionally, there are private boxes available for those looking for a more exclusive experience, with more privacy and some of the best views of the venue, ideal for business meetings or private parties.
The arena also offers parking at the nearby Arena Expo Parking. It’s easily accessible from the main roads and close to the public transportation options, making it easier for guests to come and go from the events.
5. Fun facts
As you’ve probably noticed, the Altice Arena is much more than just an arena: it’s a place where you can share incredible, memorable moments while marveling at all the interesting little details found in every inch of the design.
In my opinion, one of the most interesting features in the Altice Arena is the cooling system that makes use of the Tagus River. That’s right! This method of supplying water for air conditioning is not only efficient but also eco-friendly. A true win-win situation if I’ve ever seen one!
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The Altice Arena was the stage to many important events, such as the Eurovision Song Contest in 2018, and performances by artists such as Beyoncé, Caetano Veloso, Green Day, One Direction and Britney Spears. I can’t even fathom how huge those concerts were!
And, of course, the Altice Arena also has its fair share of interesting behind the scenes stories!
For example, Prince once demanded that his dressing room be covered with a dark lilac carpet, which is still displayed at the arena. Meanwhile, Bruno Mars used a technical room to set up a temporary boxing ring before going on stage, and Robbie Williams played soccer with staff members in one of the rooms.
6. Where to stay near Altice Arena?
Even though the Altice Arena isn’t close to many of Lisbon’s tourist attractions, staying in the region is much more convenient if you’re attending an event. Here are my top recommendations in this region:
- Melia Lisboa Oriente Hotel: this recently renovated hotel is within walking distance from the Altice Arena, offering some rooms with views of the venue and others of the river. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi, spacious rooms, a fitness center and private indoor parking. It also offers daily breakfast at the restaurant, as well as à la carte services.
- Tivoli Oriente Lisboa Hotel: this charming hotel is only 400m from Altice Arena, and offers recently renovated and soundproofed rooms overlooking the Tagus River. Guests can relax in the indoor pool with a hot tub and have a cocktail at the Sky Bar, which offers panoramic views of the city.
- Hotel Ibis Lisboa Parque das Nações: located just a 10 minutes walk from Altice Arena, this hotel offers comfortable wooden floor rooms with a work desk, a daily breakfast buffet and a snack bar for lighter meals. Guests can also enjoy the bar, a fitness center with garden views and a sauna.
The best events are waiting for you at Altice Arena!
The Altice Arena is a prime example of Lisbon’s contemporary architecture, and it truly embodies the best example of modernity and functionality in any building I’ve ever seen. And, of course, it’s an incredible multipurpose arena, able to host many different types of events with ease.
That’s why, if you happen to be visiting Lisbon at the same time an event is taking place at Altice Arena, I definitely think it’s worth buying a ticket, even if just to take a peek inside the venue. I don’t mean to be a geek here, but seriously, it’s amazing what good architecture is able to accomplish!
