Esplanada Dom Carlos I s/nº, 1990-005 Lisboa, Portugal
Phone +351 21 891 7000
While Lisbon offers numerous activities, it may not boast the world-class attractions found in other European capitals. However, one notable highlight for both children and adults is the Oceanário de Lisboa, which draws over a million visitors annually.
Inaugurated for the city’s Expo in 1998, the Oceanarium features around 500 marine species and over 15,000 aquatic inhabitants, making it the largest indoor aquarium in Europe. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Lisbon Oceanarium.
Exhibits
The main attraction of your visit is the massive central tank system that holds an astounding seven million liters of seawater. Spanning two floors, it’s visible from various points within the oceanarium, encouraging visitors to return and explore different sections throughout their visit.
This tank is home to a wide variety of coral, anemones, tropical fish, different species of sharks and rays, schools of barracuda, turtles, and even a large sunfish (mola mola), which is rarely found in captivity. Even if this tank were the sole exhibit, the oceanarium would still be worth a visit.
Moreover, there’s much more to explore in the permanent exhibition area. Outdoor enclosures house families of penguins and sea otters, while other sections feature everything from giant spider crabs to fluorescent jellyfish, seahorses, tiny frogs, and a lot more.
Near the entrance, a smaller space hosts temporary exhibits, all related to the marine environment. While a small additional fee is required for this area, it’s advisable to check if the current exhibit is of interest before proceeding.
Tours
A visit to the oceanarium is fulfilling in its own right, but for those wishing to enhance their experience, several guided group tours are offered in English and other languages.
It is possible to join guided tours of both permanent and temporary exhibitions, or even take a behind-the-scenes tour to learn about the operational challenges of managing a large aquarium, including feeding its diverse marine life and maintaining appropriate water temperatures.
Families visiting Lisbon with children can engage in an overnight “sleeping with sharks” experience, or enjoy a musical “concert for babies” at 9 a.m. every Saturday, which includes access to exhibits afterward.
How to Visit
The Lisbon Oceanarium is open daily throughout the year, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in summer and until 7 p.m. in winter. The last admission occurs one hour prior to closing. Notably, on Christmas Day, hours are from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on New Year’s Day from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The oceanarium is located alongside the Tagus River, about five miles northeast of the city center in Parque das Nações (Nations’ Park). For those not in the vicinity, it is easily accessible by road or rail.
If opting for public transport, Oriente station serves as the most convenient point of access to the oceanarium. The city’s metro red line provides transportation to this hub, with a single fare costing under two euros (including transfers as needed). Numerous city buses also pass through Oriente, along with several regional and intercity transport options. From the station, a pleasant 15-minute walk leads to the oceanarium.
For those preferring to take a taxi, expect a fare between 10-15 euros from downtown, which may be slightly less using services like Uber. While parking is conveniently available, navigating inner Lisbon can be quite stressful for those unfamiliar, hence it’s recommended only if a rental car serves another purpose during your trip.
Prepare to spend at least 2-3 hours enjoying the exhibits, although those deeply fascinated by the marine environment may easily extend their visit to a half-day or beyond.
Facilities and Food
A restaurant is conveniently located on-site to provide refreshments during your visit. It offers a variety of coffee, snacks, and larger meal options, including a three-course set menu that delivers good value.
If preferred, various restaurants offering both Portuguese and international cuisine are within easy walking distance along the waterfront, in addition to a large food court located on the upper level of the Vasco da Gama shopping center above the Oriente metro station.
The oceanarium is fully accessible for individuals with mobility needs, equipped with appropriate bathrooms, ramps, and lifts throughout, along with the option to borrow a wheelchair if necessary.
Lockers are available on the ground floor for storing small bags and personal items, operated by a one-euro coin (which is returned after use).
Tickets and Prices
Although it’s not mandatory to purchase tickets in advance, the oceanarium can attract significant crowds, especially on weekends and during the peak summer tourist season. A handful of ticket vending machines complement the staffed kiosks, and utilizing them often reduces waiting times.
For increased convenience, tickets can also be purchased online in advance. Only combination tickets (granting access to both permanent and temporary exhibitions) are available for online purchase, valid for any day within four months of the purchase date, and are slightly cheaper than on-site tickets.
Tickets for the permanent exhibition are priced at 16€ for adults and 11€ for children aged 4-12, while children aged three and under enjoy free admission. A family ticket for two adults and two children costs 42€. Regardless of the chosen ticket, an additional 2-3€ per person is required for access to the temporary exhibition.
If interested in guided tours, prices vary significantly based on the options selected. Adding a behind-the-scenes tour incurs an extra fee of 5€ per person. Group bookings for 8 or more can be made ahead of time, or inquiries can be made upon arrival.
The cost for a tour of the permanent exhibition requires purchasing a standard ticket for each person, plus 80€ (or 4€ per person for groups of 15 or more). The “sleeping with sharks” experience costs a set fee of 60€/person. Other prices are detailed on the website.
