Europarque

Europarque is a congress and exhibition centre in Espargo, in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, about 25 km south of Porto. It was built in 1995 as a large space for congresses, conferences, seminars, trade fairs and workshops. The site covers more than 78 hectares, so it is far more than a set of meeting rooms.

What is Europarque and who is it for?

It is primarily a business venue. For over twenty years it has hosted a wide range of events, mostly corporate: industry gatherings, trade fairs, galas and company meetings. Visitors usually come for a specific event, but the site is also a good example of how the Porto region has built infrastructure for large gatherings.

What is on site?

• Exhibition pavilion of 7,200 m², with room for up to 8,000 people. It can be split into three soundproofed units, so it works for both conferences and exhibitions.
• Grand Auditorium with 1,414 seats, used for corporate and cultural events alike.
• Congress and meeting rooms from 35 to 1,000 m², holding between 20 and 1,000 people.

The layout allows several events to run at the same time without disturbing one another.

The surroundings

Outside the buildings there are grounds with a lake and a river. A restaurant by the water opened in 2016.

Getting there

Europarque is served by two motorways. Porto is roughly 20 minutes away and the airport about 35 minutes. That makes it a convenient base for people flying into Porto for an event in Feira.

Who runs it?

On 19 February 2015 the Council of Ministers approved handing Europarque over to the Santa Maria da Feira municipality for 50 years. Since 2015 it has been run by a young, widely awarded team in event production and organisation.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Europarque? In Espargo, in the municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, about 25 km south of Porto.

How many people does the exhibition pavilion hold? Up to 8,000 across 7,200 m²; it can be divided into three soundproofed units.

How many seats does the main auditorium have? 1,414 seats.

Is it a tourist attraction? Mostly not. It is an events centre, so check the event schedule before visiting. Contact: europarque.pt, phone 256 370 200.

How long does it take to get there from Porto? About 20 minutes, and around 35 minutes from the airport.

Can I eat nearby? Yes, a restaurant opened in 2016 stands by the water on the grounds.