All about Lisbon Oceanarium

Oceanário de Lisboa is one of the largest aquariums in Europe, and it is a must-see for anyone visiting Lisbon. The aquarium is home to over 8,000 animals and plants from 500 different species, including sharks, rays, penguins, and sea otters. The...

Also Known As

Oceanário de Lisboa

Founded On

1998

Founded By

Peter Chermayeff

Quick Information

ADDRESS

Esplanada Dom Carlos I s/nº, 1990-005 Lisboa, Portugal

RECOMMENDED DURATION

3 hours

Timings

10:00–20:00

VISITORS PER YEAR

1000000

TICKETS

From $29.45

Did you know?

Enjoy the Ocean Sunfish at Oceanarium Lisboa—it's the world's largest bony fish, resembling a child's drawing as it rests on the water's surface. This rare sight is a unique feature of the aquarium, given the challenges in caring for these giant sunbathing rocks.

Keep an eye out for the aquarium's two massive spider crabs, affectionately nicknamed "King" and "Queen." These impressive creatures, with leg spans exceeding 3 meters, are the largest of their kind on display in Europe.

The central tank is larger than four Olympic-sized pools and is home to one hundred kinds of fish and other marine life. Being on two levels allows you to see it from various angles, allowing you to spot fish that might otherwise be difficult to notice.

Why visit Lisbon Oceanarium

Diverse marine life: Your ticket includes the chance to experience the One Planet, One Ocean exhibition. This exhibit showcases the incredible diversity of marine life, with over 8,000 animals, including sharks, penguins, and sea otters. You will also find plants from 500 different species
World's largest nature aquarium: Explore Forests Underwater, the largest nature aquarium in the world. This exhibition features 46 types of aquatic plants and 10,000 tropical freshwater fish with 160,000 liters of fresh water, created by freshwater aquarium expert Takashi Amano.
Perfect for families: The aquarium provides a captivating and educational experience for families, featuring a variety of special activities and workshops tailored to both entertain and enlighten. These include unique programmes like the 'Fado for Children' performance, among many other engaging opportunities
Stunning views: You can enjoy stunning views of the Tagus River and the Vasco da Gama Bridge from the outdoor terrace of the aquarium. You can also upgrade your experience by buying a combo that includes a Lisbon Cable car ride for panoramic views of the city and the Mar da Palha.

Plan your visit to Lisbon Oceanarium

History of Lisbon Oceanarium in a nutshell

The Lisbon Oceanarium was built as part of the Expo '98, a world exposition that celebrated the 500th anniversary of Vasco da Gama's voyage to India. The construction of the Oceanarium began in 1995, and it was inaugurated on May 22, 1998. The structure was designed by Peter Chermayeff and the construction was carried out by several Portuguese contractor companies.

Today, the Lisbon Oceanarium is the largest indoor aquarium in Europe, covering an area of over 8,000 square meters. It features four main marine habitats — North Atlantic rocky coast, Antarctic coastal line, Pacific kelp forest, and the Indian Ocean coral reef. These habitats house over 16,000 marine animals belonging to more than 450 different species.

More about the history of Lisbon Oceanarium

Architecture & design of Lisbon Oceanarium

Lisbon Oceanarium - Architecture & Design

The Lisbon Oceanarium has a modern design that focuses on natural light and water elements. The main attraction is the large aquarium tank, surrounded by a transparent cylinder that allows visitors to see aquatic life from all angles. The unique wave-shaped roof of the Oceanarium gives the feeling of being underwater. This design has won many awards, making the Oceanarium one of Portugal's most well-known buildings.

The Oceanarium was designed by Peter Chermayeff in partnership with Cambridge Seven Associates. It is compared to an aircraft carrier located on a pier in an artificial lagoon. Chermayeff is known for designing the famous Osaka Oceanarium Kaiyukan and other well-known aquariums around the world. The highlight of the Oceanarium is a huge — 1,000 m2 tank that holds 5,000,000 liters of water. The tank has four large acrylic windows and smaller focus windows to give visitors a clear view of the marine life. With a depth of 7 meters, the tank allows different species to swim together, creating an open-ocean environment.

What to do at Lisbon Oceanarium?

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Explore the Central Aquarium

At the Lisbon Oceanarium, you can see a huge main tank filled with a variety of marine animals. You can walk through a tunnel to see sharks, rays, and other sea creatures up close. The main exhibit is a massive 1,000 m2 tank that holds 100 species from around the world. The exhibit has large acrylic windows that provide panoramic views, including a rare sighting of the amazing sunfish, largest bony fish in the world.

Explore Diverse Habitat Exhibits

Experience four unique habitats surrounding the central tank, each carefully recreated to display local plants and animals. Visit the North Atlantic rocky coast, the Antarctic shoreline, the Temperate Pacific kelp forests, and the Tropical Indian coral reefs. These habitats are separated by acrylic panels to create the illusion of one large tank. Here you can see otters, puffins, sharks and many more. There are 25 themed aquariums on the first floor!

See Forests Underwater by Takashi Amano

Lisbon Oceanarium displays the world's largest nature aquarium, inspired by the work of Takashi Amano, a well-known landscape photographer and expert in freshwater aquariums. With his knowledge of Japanese gardening techniques and the wabi-sabi philosophy (Japanese philosophy based on imperfection), Amano transformed the world of planted aquariums, creating what is now called nature aquariums. The exhibit includes a U-shaped aquarium, decorated with 12 tonnes of sand, 25 tonnes of volcanic rock, and 78 tree trunks. This immersive setting is home to over 10,000 tropical freshwater fish from 40 different species and 46 aquatic plants.

Conservation & sustainability at Lisbon Oceanarium

The Lisbon Oceanarium is dedicated to sustainable practices, working to reduce its environmental impact and promote marine conservation.

Lisbon Oceanarium uses renewable energy like solar panels to power its operations in an eco-friendly way. It also has water-saving measures in place and a comprehensive waste management program that includes recycling, composting, and reducing single-use plastics. In addition, the Oceanarium has appointed an IUCN Marine RED LIST Officer since 2018, who works with the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to assess the extinction risk of marine species.

Lisbon Oceanarium is involved in various European conservation projects, leading breeding programs for species like the blue spotted ribbon tail ray and coordinating monitoring efforts for the scalloped hammerhead shark.

Animals at Lisbon Oceanarium

Frequently Asked Questions about Lisbon Oceanarium

What is Lisbon Oceanarium famous for?

Lisbon Oceanarium is famous for its impressive architecture and its extensive collection of marine life such as axoltl, salamanders, puffins, terns, anglerfish, butterflyfish and many more. It is also known for its commitment to sustainability and marine conservation efforts.

How can I get to Lisbon Oceanarium?

You can reach Lisbon Oceanarium using public transportation, including the bus, metro and train. There are also parking facilities available for those who choose to drive.

What are Lisbon Oceanarium timings?

Lisbon Oceanarium is open every day of the week from 10am to 8pm, with the last admission at 7pm.

Is the Lisbon Oceanarium accessible for individuals with reduced mobility?

Yes, Lisbon Oceanarium is fully accessible for individuals with reduced mobility. Wheelchairs and strollers are available for rent, and there are elevators and ramps throughout the facility.

Are there any interactive exhibits or activities for children?

Yes, Lisbon Oceanarium offers various interactive exhibits and educational activities tailored for children of all ages. These include workshops and activities like Fado for Children, which is a traditional Portuguese musical concert for children that takes place against the background of beautiful fish and plants!

Can visitors spend the night at the Lisbon Oceanarium?

Yes, the Oceanarium offers a unique "sleeping with sharks" experience for adventurous guests. This exclusive program allows you to spend the night surrounded by the mesmerizing marine life of the Oceanarium for an additional cost.

How can visitors contribute to Lisbon Oceanarium's conservation efforts?

You can support Lisbon Oceanarium's conservation initiatives by participating in educational programs, donating, purchasing souvenirs and spreading awareness about marine conservation issues.