Deep dive and experience the world’s largest nature aquarium.
🎟️ Choose Your Lisbon Oceanarium Ticket
Explore Lisbon’s iconic Oceanarium with these great ticket options:
A budget-friendly option to explore the Oceanário at your own pace. You can also add Telecabine Lisboa at checkout for stunning views and easy access.
💳 Lisboa Card & Oceanário de Lisboa
Make the most of your trip with a combo of Oceanário de Lisboa tickets and the Lisboa Card – the city’s official travel card. Enjoy free access to top attractions, public transport, and save 10% on your next 5 bookings in Lisbon. Great value!
Want a deeper experience? A guided tour gives you insider knowledge and a more immersive visit. Perfect for those who want more from their trip.
Benefits
Tickets and Prices
Six ticket types are available for Oceanário de Lisboa. You can keep it simple or treat yourself:
- Standard entry ticket to the Lisbon Oceanarium, with access to all exhibitions.
- Standard entry ticket and a cable car ride on Telecabine Lisboa, taking you on a scenic trip along the Tagus River.
- A behind-the-scenes guided tour of Forests Underwater also includes access to all other exhibitions.
- A standard guided tour with access to all exhibitions.
- The feeding and training exclusive tour, where you see experts feed and train otters, sharks, and rays.
- A behind-the-scenes guided tour, where you get aquarium views no one else sees.
🌌 Submerged Universe: Limited-Time Exhibition
Dive into a dazzling world where ocean and sky reflect each other. Running 8 Jan 2025 – 7 Jan 2026, included with your entry ticket.
Book TicketsHow to Book
Pick a Date
Select your visit date and language (for guided tours)
Select Your Ticket
Standard entry, guided tours, or combo tickets
Pick a Time Slot
Select your time slot and number of tickets (adult, senior, child)
Add Extras (Optional)
At checkout, add upgrades like Lisbon Cable Car or discounted tickets to other attractions
Get Your Tickets
Complete your booking and digital tickets will arrive directly by email
More Ways to Visit the Lisbon Oceanarium
Plan Your Visit
Oceanário de Lisboa is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00, with last entry at 19:00. Last entry is 18:00 on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
The aquarium’s busiest season is June to August, while its busiest time year-round is the early afternoon. The off-peak season is from October to April, outside of major holidays.
If you want to avoid crowds, be one of the first people in line at 10:00. Alternatively, head there at the end of the day (around 18:00) when most tourists have already completed their visits.
Here are some further tips to avoid crowds:
- Pre-book tickets online to bypass any long queues at the entrance.
- Weekdays (particularly Tuesday through Thursday) are generally less busy than weekends.
- Avoid public holidays and school breaks because both increase the number of local and international visitors.
The good news is that Oceanário de Lisboa is located at Doca dos Olivais, Parque das Nações. It’s less than a mile from Lisboa Oriente, or Oriente (East) Station, a central hub for all transport networks servicing East Lisbon. So hop on any of these options and hop off at Oriente (East) Station:
- Bus: 705, 725, 728, 744, 708, 750, 759, 782, 794
- Underground: Red line (Linha Vermelha)
- Trains: Alfa Pendular (AP), Azambuja line (Linha da Azambuja), Sintra line (Linha de Sintra), and Intercidades (IC) trains.
You can get a taxi or a rideshare to the station’s taxi rank (not the aquarium). A ride from the city center typically takes 10 to 15 minutes, depending on traffic.
There’s limited free street parking, or you can choose from five different paid carparks if you drive:
- Oceanário Park
- Doca Park
- FIL
- Vasco da Gama Tower Park
- Oriente (East) Station Park (the biggest car park)
The cool thing about Oceanário de Lisboa is that it’s literally on the water. The only way to enter is on a footbridge via Esplanada Dom Carlos I. The entrance is clearly marked and leads directly to the ticket booth.
Oceanário de Lisboa complies with European Accessibility Standards, meaning ramps and lifts are available for wheelchairs and prams. It’s also handy to know there’s an accessible route connecting the aquarium to the Oceanário and Doca car parks.
The aquarium gives priority assistance to pregnant women, people visiting with small children, disabled people, and elderly visitors.
Language-wise, all displays are in Portuguese and English, and all videos have English subtitles. The aquarium takes accessibility seriously, ensuring everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable visit.
While there’s no specific dress code, here are some friendly reminders:
- No food or beverages are allowed inside the exhibits.
- Flash photography and selfie sticks are prohibited to avoid disturbing the marine life.
- Smoking, including e-cigarettes, isn’t allowed inside.
- No animals are allowed except for guide dogs, and prior permission is needed.
Insider Tips
Get in even faster by pre-booking your ticket. You can also upgrade your aquarium entry ticket with a cable car ride for great value and easy access.
It gets busy fast, so avoid the crowds and arrive at 10:00. Getting there when doors open lets you enjoy the first 30 to 60 minutes in relative peace.
If you get cold easily, we recommend bringing a jacket year-round. It’s climate-controlled, and you might feel a chill, especially near the large tanks.
Many people go straight to the big tank (we get it; it’s the drawcard). However, the upper level houses key exhibits like coral reefs, sea otters, and temporary exhibitions.
While there is a convenient onsite cafe, we recommend eating at one of the nearby riverfront cafes instead—better food options and views.
What to See & Do (with Pictures)
zacariasdamata/DepositphotosThe aquarium’s centerpiece is one of Europe’s largest indoor tanks, holding five million litres of seawater. Designed to represent the open ocean, it offers a truly immersive experience with viewing windows spread across multiple levels, allowing visitors to observe marine life from above, beside, and below. Head to the middle landing on the spiral path between the upper and lower floors for an amazing wide-angle perspective.
The tank subtly integrates four distinct oceanic habitats: Atlantic, Antarctic, Indian, and Pacific. It’s home to over 100 species, all coexisting thanks to expert habitat management and carefully tailored feeding strategies.
BY-NC-ND 2.0 GenericGilbert Sopakuwa/FlickrThe North Atlantic zone, with its dim lighting mimicking the area’s notoriously overcast skies, features rugged rocky coastlines and cold-water species like cod and anemones. Visitors can watch cheeky Magellanic penguins waddling and diving in the Antarctic habitat. They have the most energy around feeding time (don’t we all?).
The Temperate Pacific area showcases a lush, forest-like underwater world with kelp forests, bright starfish, and colorful fish weaving through the swaying plants. Lastly, the Tropical Indian Ocean exhibit bursts with vibrant coral reefs, teeming with reef fish, angelfish, and butterflyfish.
fotokon/DepositphotosThe Oceanário de Lisboa is home to several unforgettable marine animals in habitats tailored to their unique needs. One of its most famous residents is the ocean sunfish (mola mola), a rare and massive species known for its odd, disk-like shape and gentle nature. They’re seldom seen in captivity due to their size and sensitivity. The playful penguins steal the spotlight in the Antarctic habitat, diving through frigid waters and waddling across icy terrain.
WHPics/DepositphotosThe Temperate Pacific zone is home to the beloved sea otters, who are guaranteed to entertain you as they float on their backs and crack open shellfish. They’re most active early and late in the day. Other highlights include sharks, rays, and moray eels in the main tank, offering an up-close look at creatures that often remain hidden in the wild.
Public Domain Mark 1.0Anthony Brass/Wikimedia CommonsThe “Forests Underwater by Takashi Amano” exhibit is the world’s largest nature aquarium, spanning 40 meters in length and containing 160,000 litres of freshwater. Amano’s vision brings to life a submerged tropical forest, meticulously crafted with over 10,000 tropical freshwater fish from 40 species and 46 varieties of aquatic plants.
Portuguese musician Rodrigo Leão’s 13-minute original composition envelopes you in a serene auditory landscape, perfectly complementing the visual spectacle. Visit first thing in the morning for the most uninterrupted and immersive experience.
Did You Know That? Facts
- The building looks like an anchored ship moored in an artificial lake from the outside.
- It’s home to 15,000 marine creatures from over 450 species.
- It was the world’s first aquarium to earn EarthCheck’s Silver Certificate for sustainable tourism. It’s deeply involved in ocean conservation and marine research.
- The building’s roof features a large skylight that floods the interior with natural light, enhancing the viewing experience and supporting the health of aquatic plants.
- You can stay overnight at the aquarium and sleep alongside the sharks, if you dare!
History
1998
The Oceanário de Lisboa opened as the flagship attraction of Expo 98.
1999
After the Expo, it transitioned into a permanent public aquarium and expanded its educational programs.
2003
It welcomed its 10 millionth visitor, solidifying its status as one of Portugal’s top tourist attractions.
2011
Oceanário de Lisboa became the world’s first aquarium to receive the EarthCheck Silver Certification for sustainability.
The Sea Building opened, allowing the aquarium to provide new services.
2017
It was named the world’s best aquarium by TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, and has won the prize three times now.
2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it introduced virtual tours and livestreams, making its exhibits accessible worldwide.
FAQs
Are guided tours in English?
Yes, the guided tours are available in several languages, including English. Check availability and book a tour here.
How long does a typical visit last?
Most visitors spend two to three hours exploring the aquarium and exhibits.
Is the Lisbon Aquarium the biggest in Europe?
Oceanário de Lisboa is Europe’s second-largest aquarium, after L’Oceanogràfic in Valencia.
Is photography allowed?
Yes, photography without flash and selfie sticks is allowed.
Can I bring food or drinks inside?
No, outside food and beverages are not permitted inside the exhibits. But there’s an onsite cafe and other eateries nearby.
Are pets allowed?
Only guide dogs are permitted with prior notification; other pets are not.
Is there luggage storage?
You can store your luggage for a Euro coin deposit, which they return when you collect your bags.