Lisbon Oceanarium in Parque das Nações

What it is and what you see

The Lisbon Oceanarium is the city's great aquarium, built for the 1998 World Expo over the water of the Doca dos Olivais, in Parque das Nações. It has more than 500 species and a clear idea: a single ocean that connects everything.

The permanent exhibition, "One Planet, One Ocean", revolves around an enormous central tank that you see from two levels and from many angles: sharks, rays, shoals of fish that move as one and, if you are lucky, the sunfish. Around it are four habitats representing the coasts of the North Atlantic, the Antarctic, the temperate Pacific and the tropical Indian Ocean, each with its surface fauna: puffins, penguins, sea otters and tropical birds. The otters are usually the favourites.

There are also temporary exhibitions in the annex building. At the time of writing this entry, the Oceanarium was advertising "Sea Monsters", on the great prehistoric predators, and "Submerged Universe". Check its website for what is on when you go.

Opening hours

Open every day of the year from 10:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 19:00. On 24 and 31 December it closes at 19:00 (last entry at 18:00), and on 25 December and 1 January it opens from 11:00 to 20:00.

Tickets and prices

The price depends on the time slot in which you enter: the later, the cheaper.

• From 10:00 to 11:30: €29.90 adults (13 to 64), €17.70 ages 3 to 12 and €19.90 over-65s.
• From 12:00 to 15:30: €27.70, €16.60 and €18.80.
• From 16:00 to 18:30: €25.50, €15.50 and €17.70.

Children under 3 do not pay. Buying online gives a 10% discount. If you do not want to be tied to a time, the FlexiTicket costs €41 per adult and is valid for one visit within the following seven days. People with a certified disability of 60% or more enter free and their companion pays 60% less, showing the certificate at the ticket office.

How long

Allow two to three hours for the permanent exhibition without rushing. With the temporary one, a bit more. With small children it can be done in two hours.

How to get there

By metro, the red line drops you at Oriente, and from there it is about ten minutes' walk through Parque das Nações towards the river. Oriente station also has suburban and long-distance trains and buses: lines 705, 725, 728, 744, 708, 750, 759, 782 and 794 stop in the area.

If you go by car, the Oceanarium car park has 274 spaces, and nearby are the Doca (700), the FIL (830), the Vasco da Gama tower (250) and the Oriente station (2,000) car parks. All are paid.

Accessibility and with children

The building is fully accessible, with ramps and lifts. There are changing tables, lockers and a left-luggage service, and free wifi. With a pushchair you can get around without problems.

It is one of the activities in Lisbon that works best with children of any age, including on rainy days. Bear in mind that the exhibition is dimly lit and that at weekends it fills with families.

Combine it

On leaving, the walk along the waterfront of Parque das Nações is flat and has gardens. To see another side of the city the same day, St George's Castle or the boat to Cacilhas are half an hour away by metro.