Portugal Vasco da Gama Bridge, Lisbon
The Vasco da Gama Bridge over the Tagus River in Lisbon is the second longest bridge in Europe. Every time it's different and magic to photograph this stunning piece of architecture.
It is a cable-stayed bridge flanked by viaducts that spans the Tagus River in Parque das Nações in Lisbon. It is the second longest bridge in Europe, and in my opinion one of the most photogenic bridges in the world.
It is a cable-stayed bridge flanked by viaducts that spans the Tagus River in Parque das Nações in Lisbon. It is the second longest bridge in Europe, and in my opinion one of the most photogenic bridges in the world.
Photography Tips
Possibly best done on a weekday morning. I was there on a Friday morning and a Saturday morning - on Friday I had the place to myself but on Saturday there were about 10 other photographers and lots more dog walkers and joggers. That isn't to say that sharing a space with other people is a bad thing, but, for this particular location, the walkway vibrates slightly as people walk by, and for long exposures, this can result in a slightly soft image. You can choose to go down to the rocky shore below where the ground is more stable, but the better compositions (not to mention more comfortable places to stand) are on the wooden promenade deck.
As Pedro Filipe mentioned, this place is different each time you visit depending on how the light interacts with the clouds. I went three times in two days - sunrise, sunset, then another sunrise, and got quite different results each time.
Go when the highest tides coincide with either sunrise or sunset for optimum photography conditions.
At sunrise and sunset, the colours of the sky - and hence the resultant reflection below - change by the minute, meaning each click may yield an image that was substantially different from the previous.
As Pedro Filipe mentioned, this place is different each time you visit depending on how the light interacts with the clouds. I went three times in two days - sunrise, sunset, then another sunrise, and got quite different results each time.
Go when the highest tides coincide with either sunrise or sunset for optimum photography conditions.
At sunrise and sunset, the colours of the sky - and hence the resultant reflection below - change by the minute, meaning each click may yield an image that was substantially different from the previous.
Travel Information
Easy to get to this spot by bus from Oriente station. Lots of parking available.
Walking time from Moscavide metro station is about 25 minutes and not a particularly nice walk, so perhaps take a bus or cab from the station unless you have time to spare.
You can get an Uber to drop you off about 5 minutes from this spot and it's easy to get one to go back towards the city.
Walking time from Moscavide metro station is about 25 minutes and not a particularly nice walk, so perhaps take a bus or cab from the station unless you have time to spare.
You can get an Uber to drop you off about 5 minutes from this spot and it's easy to get one to go back towards the city.
Spot Type
Outdoor
Crowd Factor
Just a few people
Best Timing
Sunrise
Sunrise & Sunset
07:04 - 20:08
| current local time: 05:45
Photo Themes
Architecture
Beach
Bridge
clouds
modern
Modern Architecture
Ocean
River
Sunrise
Sunset
Suspension Bridge
Water
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