When you enter Lisbon’s Oceanarium you enter a different world.
A world where you will travel through 4 different natural habitats, almost dive in 5 million litters of salted water and meet 8.000 sea creatures.
Penguins, star fishes, anemone, corals, rays, butterfly fishes, cods, barracudas, sea horses, sharks, rock fishes, morays, clown fishes, salamanders, frogs, toads, otters… the list of residents goes on and on.
The oceanarium is located by the river Tejo, in Parque das Nações area, and it is a true ode to the oceans.
Its singular building was designed by Peter Chermayeff and the Cambridge Seven Associates team and opened its gates in 1998, during Lisbon’s international fair, Expo 98.
It is divided in two main spaces: the above the sea level, where you can see the penguins playing around, amongst other species, and the deep sea level, where you will be literally face to face with sharks.
There is also a second, more recent, building that welcomes temporary exhibitions.
One might think that the Oceanário de Lisboa would delight mainly kids but, in fact, it is an “all ages” attraction, to be visited by all publics.
Besides being a beautiful and enriching place, it can also be the most relaxing one if you just let yourself be enchanted by the deep waters, colored by fishes and other sea world creatures.
> Esplanada Dom Carlos I, Parque das Nações
> Open from 10:00 to 20:00 (Last entry 19:00). Winter schedule (from 30th October): open from 10:00 to 19:00.
> Regular price: 19€. Available discounts for children and family. Check the detailed price list at Oceanário’s website
> Insider tip: Oceánario has brilliant activities for kids, like “Sleeping with sharks”, that allows children and family to spend a night at the Oceanário. But the most unique one, that you will not find anywhere else in the world, is “Fado for kids”, a concert for babies up to 4 years old, that combines the beauty of Fado music with the magic of the scenario. Check all the activities at Oceanário’s website.
