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The world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge has opened in Portugal

The 516-metre-long Arouca bridge offers epic views over the hilly, rocky landscape

Huw Oliver
Written by
Huw Oliver
UK Editor
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The Arouca Geopark in northern Portugal is about as breathtaking a landscape as you can imagine. You’d struggle not to feel at least a tinge of vertigo in these hilly, rocky, densely forested parts.

But a new attraction that straddles the Paiva River valley will offer an even more bracing perspective on those ridiculously epic (and Unesco-protected) surroundings. The 516-metre-long Arouca bridge, which opened this week, is now the world’s longest pedestrian bridge – and gridded floors and railings mean you can take in the views from all sides. 

Ponte 516 Arouca
Photograph: 516 Arouca

The bridge comprises a steel main structure, supported by two V-shaped concrete towers. It rises 175 metres above the valley, a popular site for outdoor activities like whitewater rafting and kayaking. A ticket to the bridge (€12 for adults, €10 for children and over-65s) also gets you access to the Passadiços do Paiva: a eight-kilometre-long network of wooden pathways that wind through the valley.

The bridge will remain open throughout the year, except on Christmas Day (though in windy weather it may close too). Depending on how long you want to linger, it should take around ten minutes to cross.

As the attraction’s official website says: ‘This isn’t for the faint of heart.’

Ponte 516 Arouca
Photograph: 516 Arouca

More cool attractions in Europe:

This floating sauna with views of the aurora is your new spa fantasy

A Hans Christian Andersen-inspired fairytale museum is opening in Denmark

This futuristic new observation deck offers spectacular views over the Italian Alps

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