Lisbon Oceanarium

Overview

The Lisbon Oceanarium at Parque das Nações is Europe's largest indoor aquarium, designed by Peter Chermayeff. Its centrepiece is a colossal 5-million-litre open-ocean tank visible from every floor, surrounded by four habitat galleries.

Highlights

• Open-ocean tank: Sharks, rays, tuna, and a giant sunfish circle a 7 m-deep central tank.
• Four habitat galleries: North Atlantic, Antarctic, Tropical Indian, and Pacific temperate ecosystems.
• Sea otters: A dedicated otter habitat is a family favourite.

History

Built for Expo 98 (whose theme was "The Oceans"), the Oceanarium opened in May 1998 and has since welcomed over 25 million visitors. A second building was added in 2011 for temporary exhibitions.

Visitor Tips

• Book online: Skip long queues, especially in summer and school holidays.
• Late afternoon: Fewer crowds after 16:00.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.