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Oceanário de Lisboa map | A detailed navigation guide

The Oceanário de Lisboa is located in Parque das Nações in Lisbon, along the Tagus River. It’s spread across two floors with the Central Ocean Tank in the middle and four oceanic zones across both levels. The central tank is visible from both floors, making it the venue’s primary attraction.

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Oceanário de Lisboa Map

Lisbon Oceanarium floor plan showing Tropical Indian Ocean, Temperate Pacific Ocean, and central tank with sharks.

Navigating through the Oceanário de Lisboa

Entrance to the Oceanário

The Oceanário’s main entrance is on the first floor or its upper level. As you enter the building, you’ll see the Central Ocean Tank in front, and it spreads across both floors.

Tropical Indian Ocean

As you move clockwise, the first oceanic zone you’ll see is the Tropical Indian Ocean. Coral reefs dot major portions of the tank, and you’ll come across species like the clownfish, the butterfly fish, and the unique surgeon fish.

Temperate Pacific Ocean

This is the second zone you’ll encounter, characterized mainly by a massive kelp forest and sunlight filtering through in a unique play of light and shadow. Designed to mimic the Californian coastline, you’ll find species like the leafy sea dragon and the garibaldi fish, given the kelp’s role as the ocean’s nursery.

North Atlantic Zone

The third zone is the North Atlantic Rocky Coast, featuring a rugged setting with gigantic boulders and waves crashing against them. This habitat brings you face to face with the wolffish, starfish, and anemones clinging to the shoreline.

Antarctic Coastline

In the last of the four oceanic zones, you’ll find countless King Penguins hopping over pebbles and diving into the water. Detailed audiovisual presentations also demonstrate the impact of climate change on the Antarctic coastline, offering an educational twist to your visit.

Forests Underwater

Takashi Amano’s Forests Underwater exhibit is located near the upper-level galleries and is a must-see. This 40-meter-long freshwater aquarium contains tropical forest-inspired aquascapes and several exotic plants and fish.

Oceanário de Lisboa's Forests Underwater

Tips to make the most of your visit 

  • Grab a map at the Oceanário’s entrance - this helps you navigate through all the exhibits so you don’t miss out on any of its key highlights. 
  • Weekday mornings are the best time to visit the Oceanário to avoid big crowds. Leaving your hotel at around 10am will also help you avoid the city’s peak morning traffic. 
  • If you’re visiting the Oceanário in the afternoon, don’t miss out on the penguin feeding. This experience is open to visitors every Tuesday at 3:15pm. 
  • The Telecabine is just a 3-minute walk from the Oceanário, and a must-visit. You get to ride a cable car 30 meters above the Tagus River, offering stunning panoramic views of the city. For the best experience, plan to visit the Telecabine during sunset when the city’s buildings sparkle in a fiery orange glaze. 

Frequently asked questions about navigating the Oceanário de Lisboa

There are two levels to the Oceanário. The upper level is where you enter the structure and are met with the large central tank, flanked by the four oceanic zones on all sides. These zones and the central tank also take up the lower level, giving you a true sense of oceanic life near the surface and at the depths.