Lisbon is full of tourist attractions, but it also feels good to explore other places, especially in the middle of nature. Close to the capital, there are some ‘secret’ villages that invite you to take a short stroll. However, if you prefer to go further afield, we’ll take you to (re)discover the 516 Arouca Bridge.
Considered one of the largest suspended pedestrian bridges in the world, this attraction is located in the municipality of Arouca, in the district of Aveiro, close to the famous Paiva Walkways. From the top, you can see one of Europe’s wildest rivers, the Paiva, in a landscape protected by UNESCO.
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Features of the suspension bridge
At 516 meters long, 1.20 meters wide and 175 meters high, this suspension bridge is a true engineering masterpiece. In fact, its name is directly related to the length of the infrastructure – Ponte 516 Arouca.
Consisting of 127 metal railing decks and steel cables, this work has attracted many visitors since its inauguration in May 2021.
According to Wikipedia, this is the third longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world, surpassed only by the following:
- Sky Bridge 721 in Czechia
- Baglung Parbat in Nepal
A setting worthy of Hollywood
The 516 Arouca Bridge is definitely a destination to consider for fans of adventure attractions, but also for those looking for a different spring getaway. There, you’ll find amazing scenery worthy of any Hollywood movie.
From here, you can see the Paiva Gorge, the Aguieiras Waterfall and the crystal-clear waters of the Paiva River. However, it’s important to remember that last summer this area was ravaged by flames, so the greenery isn’t as constant as it once was. Even so, it’s worth it.
Other points of interest
The suspension bridge is part of the Arouca Geopark, protected by UNESCO. In this context, there are many natural points of interest to visit in the municipality of Arouca, such as:
- Paiva Walkways
- Aguieira Waterfall
- Frecha da Mizarela (in Serra da Freita)
- Pedras Parideiras (in Serra da Freita), among others.
How can you get there?
First of all, before you hit the road, buy your ticket online. There are no ticket offices on site. It’s also important to book in advance, as tickets are limited and usually in high demand, especially during the high season.
After that, the quickest and most comfortable way is to drive along the A1 towards Porto, taking the exit for Santa Maria da Feira. Then head towards São João da Madeira, Vale de Cambra and finally Arouca.
However, after the center of Arouca, get ready, because there are still a few more kilometers and a few more bends to go. In all, the journey from Lisbon to Ponte 516 Arouca is approximately 340 kilometers, which should take about 3h30.
It should also be mentioned that, according to the Visit Aroucawebsite, there are two possible entrances: Canelas (Areinho) or Alvarenga. If you want to choose the former, you can leave your car in the Areinho parking lot and follow the Paiva Walkways to the 516 Arouca.
Other information
It’s important to check the official website of the 516 Arouca Bridge to find out all the recommendations and information you need for better planning.
As far as prices are concerned, we can tell you that children aged 6-9 and young people aged 10-17 pay €10, adults aged 18-65 pay €12 and seniors pay €10. There are also packs for groups.
Despite the distance from Lisbon, this is a destination to consider to start spring in the best possible way. Fancy giving it a go?