Guide to Route 716: Culture, Nature, and Shopping between Alameda D. A. Henriques and Benfica
Dozens of stops connect Alameda D. A. Henriques to Benfica, crossing Areeiro, Arroios, Avenidas Novas, Spain Square, and Sete Rios — a route with gardens, theaters, cultural facilities, a traditional market, and shopping centers.
The journey begins near Alameda D. A. Henriques and follows busy arteries such as Guerra Junqueiro Avenue, António José de Almeida Avenue, and Miguel Bombarda Avenue, an area marked by educational institutions, neighborhood shops, and access to different parts of Avenidas Novas.
From Berna Avenue, the route enters one of the most important cultural areas along the journey. Spain Square, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and Teatro Aberto form a group of possible outings before Route 716 continues to Sete Rios, where the railway station, bus terminal, and zoo are located.
In the final section, the route takes on a neighborhood atmosphere in Benfica, passing through Calhariz, Benfica Road, Benfica Church, and Grão Vasco Avenue. This is where Benfica Market, Fonte Nova Shopping Center, and Baldaya Palace appear. The distances below are approximate and estimated from the coordinates of the route and the listed stops. The route has 54 departures in each direction on weekdays and 42 on Saturdays; it does not operate on Sundays or public holidays. The fare and operator were not provided in the available data.
| Location | Category | Nearest stop/section | Approximate distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles Park | Urban park | Spain Sq. | 0.1 km |
| Gulbenkian Garden | Garden and leisure | Spain Sq. / Berna Ave. | 0.2 km |
| Gulbenkian Modern Art Centre | Museum and cultural center | Spain Sq. / Berna Ave. | 0.3 km |
| Teatro Aberto | Theater | Spain Sq. | 0.3 km |
| Lisbon Zoo | Tourist attraction and leisure | Sete Rios Station or Sete Rios | 0.2 km |
| Benfica Market | Market and traditional commerce | Calhariz | 0.3 km |
| Fonte Nova Shopping Center | Shopping center and dining | Benfica Church | 0.2 km |
| Baldaya Palace | Cultural center and leisure | Benfica - Grão Vasco Ave. | 0.4 km |
Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles Park
In the Spain Square area, Gonçalo Ribeiro Telles Park transformed an area once dominated by traffic into a green space for movement, rest, and leisure. The park has pedestrian paths, seating areas, a playground, a cycle path, and a landscaped connection with the Gulbenkian Garden and the Monsanto Green Corridor.
It is a good first stop for anyone who wants to begin an outdoor outing. Its proximity to Teatro Aberto and the facilities of the Gulbenkian Foundation also makes it possible to create an itinerary combining nature, architecture, and culture without extensive travel.
- 📍 Location: Spain Square, next to Eduardo Malta Street and Basílio Teles Street, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Spain Sq., approximately 0.1 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Urban park and outdoor leisure.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Contemporary green space with paths, a playground, a cycle path, and integration with other green spaces in the city.
Gulbenkian Garden
The Gulbenkian Garden is one of the most pleasant places along Route 716 for a quiet break in the middle of the city. With paths among trees, plants, lakeside corners, and areas for rest, the space surrounds the buildings of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and offers a quiet atmosphere even though it is next to important avenues.
The garden also hosts cultural activities and open-air concerts at different times of the year. It is an especially interesting choice for those getting off in the Spain Square area who want to take a relaxed walk combining landscaping, art, and modern architecture.
- 📍 Location: 45A Berna Avenue, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Spain Sq. / Berna Ave., approximately 0.2 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Garden, walking, and leisure.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: Lake, diverse vegetation, tree-lined paths, and access to one of Lisbon’s main cultural hubs.
Gulbenkian Modern Art Centre
The Gulbenkian Modern Art Centre occupies a building reimagined by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, in dialogue with the garden designed by landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic. The complex combines modern and contemporary art exhibitions, striking architecture, and spaces that bring visitors closer to the outdoor environment.
In addition to its galleries, CAM has a shop and restaurant, making it a complete stop for those seeking cultural programming, a meal, or simply an architectural visit. The renovated entrance from Marquês de Fronteira Street strengthens the connection between the cultural center and the Foundation’s garden.
- 📍 Location: 2 Marquês de Fronteira Street, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Spain Sq. / Berna Ave., approximately 0.3 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Museum, contemporary art, and dining.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: A Kengo Kuma building, a garden integrated with the architecture, and programming dedicated to modern and contemporary art.
Teatro Aberto
Located in Spain Square, Teatro Aberto is a reference point for the performing arts in Lisbon and maintains a program focused on contemporary theater, playwriting, and the creation of new productions. The venue is home to the Novo Grupo de Teatro and usually hosts plays, readings, and educational initiatives.
The Spain Square stop leaves visitors practically at the center of the area’s cultural hub. Before or after a performance, it is possible to walk through the urban park and nearby gardens, creating an outing that combines a show with time outdoors.
- 📍 Location: Armando Cortez Street, Spain Square, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Spain Sq., approximately 0.3 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Theater and cultural programming.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: A venue dedicated to experimental theater, playwriting, and productions in different formats.
Lisbon Zoo
The Sete Rios stop is one of the best entrances to Lisbon Zoo, an attraction with more than 140 years of history dedicated to biodiversity conservation, research, and environmental education. The site is home to approximately 2,000 animals from around 300 species.
Highlighted attractions include the Dolphin Bay, cable car, Reptile House, Farm, and bird presentations. It is especially suitable for families, but also works as a full-day outing for anyone wishing to explore a large leisure area close to an important transportation hub.
- 📍 Location: Marshal Humberto Delgado Square, Sete Rios, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Sete Rios Station or Sete Rios, approximately 0.2 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Zoo, tourism, and environmental education.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: A wide variety of species, cable car, animal presentations, and connections to the metro, trains, and other forms of transportation.
Benfica Market
With approximately 2,800 square meters and more than 200 sales stalls, Benfica Market is one of Lisbon’s largest and most traditional markets. Its offerings include fish, meat, fruit, vegetables, baked goods, delicatessen products, groceries, cafés, and dining, as well as non-food products at the Open-Air Market.
The market is one of the best stops for observing the neighborhood’s commercial routine and buying fresh products in a local setting. In August 2026, however, the site is temporarily closed for renovation, with work being carried out on the electrical and water-supply networks. It is worth confirming its reopening before planning a visit.
- 📍 Location: Calhariz de Benfica Road, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Calhariz, approximately 0.3 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Municipal market and traditional commerce.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: A variety of food and non-food products, a strong connection to local commerce, and a long tradition in the neighborhood.
Fonte Nova Shopping Center
On Benfica Road, Fonte Nova Shopping Center brings together shops, services, dining, and convenience spaces on a scale closer to neighborhood commerce than to large outlying shopping centers. The complex has two floors and a food court with a variety of options.
It is a practical alternative for combining shopping, a quick meal, coffee, or dessert during a walk through the final part of the route. Its location, near Benfica Church and the busy Benfica Road, makes it possible to continue walking through the area’s street-level shops.
- 📍 Location: 503 Benfica Road, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Benfica Church, approximately 0.2 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Shopping center, shopping, and dining.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: An integrated neighborhood-shopping profile with shops, services, food, and parking.
Baldaya Palace
On Benfica Road, Baldaya Palace operates as a cultural and community hub housed in a restored historic building. The space contains a library, children’s library, exhibition rooms, multipurpose areas, coworking space, a café, and a program of concerts, theater, and other activities.
It is a stop that shows a less-touristy and more everyday side of Benfica, with activities aimed at residents and visitors. Its proximity to Grão Vasco Avenue and the shops along Benfica Road makes it easy to include the palace in a neighborhood outing, whether for an exhibition, a performance, or a break at the café.
- 📍 Location: 701A Benfica Road, Lisbon.
- 🚏 Nearest route stop/section and approximate distance: Benfica - Grão Vasco Ave., approximately 0.4 km.
- 🏷️ Category: Cultural center, library, and leisure.
- ⭐ Distinguishing feature: A historic palace adapted for concerts, exhibitions, reading, children’s activities, and coworking.
Route 716 is a practical option for turning a journey between Alameda D. A. Henriques and Benfica into an itinerary of discoveries. For a cultural outing, get off at Spain Square and combine the park, Gulbenkian Garden, CAM, and Teatro Aberto. Those who prefer family leisure can continue to Sete Rios to visit the zoo. In the Benfica section, the market, Fonte Nova, and Baldaya Palace form a circuit of neighborhood shopping, dining, and culture. Since the route does not operate on Sundays or public holidays, planning should prioritize weekdays or Saturday.