Guide to Route 1706: from Colégio Militar to Brandoa, with shopping, football, markets, and parks
Route 1706 connects the Colégio Militar terminal in Lisbon with Alto da Brandoa in Amadora, crossing an urban area with shopping centers, cultural facilities, traditional markets, and green spaces for a break along the way.
The route begins beside the Colégio Militar–Benfica corridor, one of the busiest areas in the region, marked by the presence of Centro Colombo, Estádio da Luz, and a wide range of restaurants and services. From the stops near Estrada dos Arneiros, the route enters a more residential part of Benfica, with relatively nearby access to Mercado de Benfica and Parque Silva Porto, known as Mata de Benfica.
In the second half, the route passes through Alfornelos and Brandoa, already in the municipality of Amadora. This is an area of local life, with linear parks, neighborhood shops, a municipal market, cultural facilities, and Parque Luís Vaz de Camões, one of Brandoa’s main community gathering areas.
Notice: the distances indicated are approximate and estimated from the coordinates provided for the route and the locations of the establishments and facilities consulted. According to the data received, the route operates in the outbound direction with 4 departures on weekdays and none on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays; in the return direction, there are 6 departures on weekdays and 2 on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. The fare and operator were not provided.
| Location | Category | Nearest stop/section | Approximate distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centro Colombo | Shopping, leisure, restaurants, and cinema | Colégio Militar (Metro) P7 | Immediate, approximately 0.1 km |
| Museu Benfica – Cosme Damião | Museum and tourist attraction | Colégio Militar (Metro) P7 / Hosp Luz | Approximately 0.4 to 0.6 km |
| Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica | Stadium and sports tourism | Colégio Militar (Metro) P7 / Hosp Luz | Approximately 0.5 to 0.7 km |
| Mercado de Benfica | Traditional market and food | Qta Granja – Av. Uruguai / Av. Uruguai | Approximately 0.5 to 0.8 km |
| Parque Silva Porto – Mata de Benfica | Urban park and outdoor leisure | Qta Granja – Av. Uruguai / Estrada dos Arneiros | Approximately 0.7 to 1.0 km |
| Parque Linear de Alfornelos | Park, walking, and exercise | Caliça / Prç. Teófilo Braga | Approximately 0.2 to 0.4 km |
| Auditório de Alfornelos | Theater and cultural programming | Prç. Teófilo Braga (Alfornelos Metro) | Approximately 0.3 to 0.6 km |
| Mercado Municipal da Brandoa | Market, dining, and local commerce | Brandoa (Largo) / R. Liberdade 20A | Approximately 0.1 to 0.3 km |
| Parque Luís Vaz de Camões | Urban park, family activities, and leisure | Largo 1.º Maio / R. Luís Vaz de Camões | Approximately 0.1 to 0.3 km |
Centro Colombo
Centro Colombo is the most obvious stop for anyone looking for shopping, food, and entertainment at the beginning of the route. Located next to Colégio Militar/Luz station and the bus terminal, the complex brings together hundreds of stores, restaurants, services, and leisure options in one place.
It is a practical choice for combining different activities during the same outing: shopping, finding a variety of dining options, watching a film, or simply using the center as a meeting point before continuing to Benfica or Alfornelos. The development’s official website identifies route 1706 among the bus services serving the location.
- 📍 Location: Avenida Lusíada, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Colégio Militar (Metro) P7; approximately 0.1 km or immediate access through the terminal and metro area.
- 🏷️ Category: Shopping center, dining, cinema, and leisure.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: a large concentration of stores, restaurants, and services, with direct connections to the Lisbon Metro and several bus routes.
Museu Benfica – Cosme Damião
For those who enjoy football, history, and popular culture, Museu Benfica – Cosme Damião is one of the main attractions of the initial section. Located in the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica complex, the museum presents the club’s history, trophies, sporting disciplines, and most notable figures.
The visit can be combined with a stadium tour, although it is important to check in advance for any restrictions on match days. The venue states that it welcomes visitors daily, with exceptions related to matches and specific dates, and offers facilities accessible to people with reduced mobility.
- 📍 Location: Avenida Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, in the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica complex, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Colégio Militar (Metro) P7 or Hosp Luz; approximately 0.4 to 0.6 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Museum, sports tourism, and cultural heritage.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: brings together Benfica’s historical heritage and can be visited together with the stadium.
Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Estádio da Luz, officially Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, dominates the landscape around Colégio Militar and is one of the most recognizable tourist attractions in this part of Lisbon. Even outside match days, the area usually attracts visitors interested in its architecture, sporting atmosphere, and guided tours.
The stadium is close to the museum, official store, and dining and gathering spaces associated with the Benfica complex. For those arriving on route 1706, the best option is to get off at the beginning of the route and complete the journey on foot, always checking visiting conditions before setting out.
- 📍 Location: Avenida Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Colégio Militar (Metro) P7 or Hosp Luz; approximately 0.5 to 0.7 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Stadium, tourist attraction, and sports tourism.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: offers an opportunity to see one of the main venues of Portuguese football and is part of a complex with a museum and visitor services.
Mercado de Benfica
Mercado de Benfica offers a more everyday experience connected to neighborhood life. With a long tradition, the market brings together stalls selling fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, baked goods, regional products, groceries, flowers, household items, cafés, and food.
It is a good alternative for those who prefer discovering commerce that is less standardized than that of large shopping centers. A visit works especially well in the morning, when the market has its greatest movement and the widest variety of fresh products.
- 📍 Location: Rua João Frederico Ludovice, 354, Benfica, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Qta Granja – Av. Uruguai or Av. Uruguai; approximately 0.5 to 0.8 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Traditional market, food retail, and dining.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: combines fresh products, non-food retail, cafés, and restaurants in a space with a strong local identity.
Parque Silva Porto – Mata de Benfica
Popularly known as Mata de Benfica, Parque Silva Porto is an option for trading the bustle of the avenues for shade, vegetation, and outdoor activities. The park covers approximately 4.11 hectares and preserves a diverse collection of trees, as well as facilities for different audiences.
Available facilities include a children’s playground, youth recreation area, fitness circuit, fitness equipment, padel courts, picnic area, dining facilities, and a climbing tower. It is an interesting destination for families, people who exercise, and anyone looking for a peaceful break without leaving the city.
- 📍 Location: Alameda Padre Álvaro Proença and Rua Doutor José Alberto de Faria, Benfica, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Qta Granja – Av. Uruguai or Estrada dos Arneiros; approximately 0.7 to 1.0 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Urban park, leisure, sports, and nature.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: combines a historic green area, sports facilities, children’s areas, picnic spaces, and dining.
Parque Linear de Alfornelos
Upon reaching Alfornelos, the route passes through an area that combines urban circulation with spaces designed for walking and exercise. Parque Linear de Alfornelos resulted from the redevelopment of Estrada de Alfornelos and was designed as a leisure corridor with native species and a pedestrian path.
The site is suitable for a short stop, a walk, or an outdoor workout. Its facilities include a fitness circuit and cardio fitness equipment, enhancing a section that might at first appear to be merely a passage between neighborhoods.
- 📍 Location: Estrada de Alfornelos, Encosta do Sol parish, Amadora.
- 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Caliça or Prç. Teófilo Braga (Alfornelos Metro); approximately 0.2 to 0.4 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Linear park, walking, and outdoor exercise.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: offers a pedestrian path, native vegetation, and fitness equipment integrated into the urban route.
Auditório de Alfornelos
For those seeking cultural programming in the area, Auditório de Alfornelos, associated with Teatro Passagem de Nível, serves as a nearby option for performances, theater, and cultural activities. The venue is located in Centro Comercial Colina do Sol, beside Praça José Afonso.
The program may vary throughout the year, so it is worth checking the schedule before traveling. Its location along the Alfornelos corridor makes it easy to combine a performance with a coffee or meal in the surrounding area.
- 📍 Location: Praça José Afonso, 15 E, Centro Comercial Colina do Sol, Alfornelos, Amadora.
- 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Prç. Teófilo Braga (Alfornelos Metro) or R. Damião Góis 10; approximately 0.3 to 0.6 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Theater, auditorium, and cultural programming.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: brings performances and cultural initiatives closer to the neighborhoods of Alfornelos and Brandoa.
Mercado Municipal da Brandoa
At the route’s destination, Mercado Municipal da Brandoa is one of the best places to observe traditional commerce in Encosta do Sol. The market brings together stalls selling fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish, as well as dining, services, and other commercial activities.
Because it is close to Largo da Brandoa and Rua da Liberdade, the market can be included either in a shopping trip or in a walk through the local center. It is an especially interesting stop for anyone who wants to experience the neighborhood’s commercial routine and find food options more closely connected to the community.
- 📍 Location: central Brandoa, Encosta do Sol parish, Amadora.
- 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Brandoa (Largo) or R. Liberdade 20A; approximately 0.1 to 0.3 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Municipal market, food retail, and dining.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: concentrates fresh products, traditional stalls, and dining options at a central point in Brandoa.
Parque Luís Vaz de Camões
Parque Luís Vaz de Camões is one of Brandoa’s main leisure areas and functions as a true neighborhood center. The space covers approximately 3 hectares and includes large lawns, seating areas, tables, a children’s area, and a design inspired by the work and figure of the Portuguese poet.
The paving decorated with verses from Os Lusíadas gives the walkway character, while the cardio fitness circuit provides an option for those who want to exercise. Inside or next to the park is also Fórum Luís de Camões, a venue for cultural events and community activities.
- 📍 Location: central Brandoa, beside Rua Luís Vaz de Camões, Amadora.
- 🚏 Nearest stop/route section and approximate distance: Largo 1.º Maio or R. Luís Vaz de Camões; approximately 0.1 to 0.3 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Urban park, family leisure, culture, and exercise.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: combines lawns, a children’s playground, a cardio fitness circuit, literary references, and Fórum Luís de Camões.
With route 1706, passengers can leave the Colégio Militar corridor for an afternoon of shopping and cinema at Colombo, continue to the world of Benfica, explore Benfica’s traditional commerce, or end the outing in the parks, market, and cultural program of Alfornelos and Brandoa. Since service is limited and concentrated on certain days and in certain directions, planning the trip is essential before boarding.
Sources
- Centro Colombo – directions and location
- Museu Benfica – Cosme Damião
- Sport Lisboa e Benfica – information about stadium and museum visits
- Mercado de Benfica
- Lisbon City Council – Parque Silva Porto
- Amadora City Council – Parque Linear de Alfornelos
- Amadora City Council – Auditório de Alfornelos
- Encosta do Sol Parish Council – Mercado Municipal da Brandoa
- Amadora City Council – Parque Luís Vaz de Camões