A Visit to the Lisbon Aquarium


 

Aquarium in Lisbon, sourced from Pixabay

Lisbon Oceanarium – one of the best in the whole world!

This aquarium is the largest in Europe, and it really impresses with its size, although the building does not look so impressive. The fact is that inside there is a huge aquarium, which is the basis of the whole exposition. When you walk there, it creates the feeling of an open ocean, and huge glasses are located in a semicircle around you, which gives even greater realism to the feeling that you are in the ocean among fish.

The inhabitants of the aquarium

Fish from Lisbon Aquarium, sourced from Pixabay

The main highlight of the oceanarium is the fish moon. This giant can be found in captivity extremely rare because it is difficult to create favorable conditions for them in aquariums or artificial reservoirs. The Lisbon Oceanarium is one of the few that is ready to show you this unusual fish.

Bodiao de Seis Linhas (type of fish), found in the Lisbon Aquarium. Image sourced from their website

You will be impressed by a large number of sharks that plowed the aquarium, although the species represented there are not significant in size (depending on the species, on average, 1.6–2 meters), but their number does not leave indifferent. In total, about 5 species of sharks are represented in the aquarium.

Another fascinating representative of the aquarium – a giant devil or manta. They have where to turn and calmly swim in the open spaces of a large aquarium, they often swim up to the glass itself. The devil is adjacent to medium-sized ramps, but small-sized skates are harder to notice: you need to carefully examine the bottom of the aquarium, they spend more time in a sleeping state. Various flounders also housed here, look closely, because they are perfectly camouflaged in the sand.

jellyfish Aquarium in Lisbon, sourced from Pixabey

In addition to the main aquarium, there are additional exposures in the aquarium with smaller aquariums.

In the Lisbon Oceanarium, there are only 2 types of jellyfish: Pacific nettle and spotted Australian jellyfish. Each species has its own aquarium. So, for the Pacific nettle a dark aquarium is created, where you can look at how thin tentacles of jellyfish, like threads, intertwine with each other, while they themselves slowly reduce their body in motion. The spotted Australian jellyfish is not so fascinating because its body is similar in structure to ordinary jellyfish, but they have white dots on the cap. The aquarium is illuminated in such a way that the jellyfish turn into beautiful fluorescent fly-agarics floating in the water column.

inhabitants of Lisbon’s Aquarium, sourced from Pixabey

In the aquarium, you can get acquainted not only with aquatic representatives of the animal world but also with birds, for example, penguins. For them, arranged stone hills next to the water, where they can go for a swim. Around such islands, you can walk along wide bridges, or you can turn to a more secluded and romantic path and walk along a narrow corridor of plants.

And here you will be greeted by clouds of fish of various sizes and colors, all kinds of eels, octopuses, sea horses, sea anemones, crabs, hedgehogs, birds, amphibians, and many many different living creatures.

All the reasons to visit the Lisbon Aquarium

Lisbon Aquarium, sourced from Pixabey

  • Approximately 1 million people visit the aquarium in Lisbon each year. The total area of the premises is about 20,000 m², and the number of aquariums is over 30, including one giant with 5 million liters of water. It can be viewed from different levels. In total, the aquarium has more than 8,000 living organisms of more than 500 species.
  • Around the giant aquarium, there are several rooms with imitations of different climatic conditions. Be it the Indian tropics or the ice of the Antarctic, and with various animals living in these conditions.
  • The Lisbon Oceanarium is one of the few aquariums in the world that has moon fish due to its unique and stringent requirements.
  • Lisbon Aquarium is recognized as the best in the world according to the largest travel website tripadvisor.com. In addition, for the fourth year in a row, the aquarium takes the first place out of 444 in the list of Entertainment in Lisbon.
  • We recommend visiting both children and adults, even if you come to Lisbon for only a few days. Negative reviews about the Lisbon aquarium has not yet been heard.

The Oceanarium in Lisbon and its mode or working

In the summer from 10:00 to 20:00 (entrance until 19:00), in winter from 10:00 to 19:00 (entrance until 18:00).

The cost of tickets to the Oceanarium

The cost of a ticket to the Lisbon Oceanarium (main exhibition): From 13 to 64 years – 15 € From 4 to 12 years and for those over 65 – 10 € Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) – 39 € and each additional child + 6,10 € Children under 3 years free.

The cost of the combined ticket (main + temporary exhibition): From 13 to 64 years – 18 € From 4 to 12 years and over 65 years – 12 € Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) – 47 € and each additional child + 6, 10 € Children under 3 years free.

How to get there: by foot from the metro Oriente.

You can buy a ticket to the Lisbon Oceanarium online and avoid the queues.

How to get by public transportation: Metro

The most convenient way to get to the aquarium from any part of Lisbon is the metro. There are many stations around the city, and the cost of one trip is usually 1.4 €. If you decide to use this method of transportation, then you need to get to the Oriente station, which is located on the red line of the metro. When you get out of the metro and climb the street, you will see the shopping center Vasca da Gama, you need to go around it on the right side, go down to the embankment and go along it to the right side. Soon you will see a remarkable building located on the water – this is the aquarium.

A ticket for travel in the subway can be bought at any station in specialized machines. In Lisbon there is a card purchase system for travel with the ability to replenish its account, this card costs 0.5 €, it can be used in buses, trams, and subways.

How to get by public transportation: By bus

If you prefer a bus ride, then the nearest stop to the sights will be Oriente. It is located next to the same metro station. Buses stop there: 5, 25, 28, 44, 708, 750, 759, 782, 794.

Enjoy your visit!