Located in Parque das Nações and opened in 1998 as part of Expo '98, the Oceanário de Lisboa is one of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe. It was designed by American architect Peter Chermayeff and sits partly over water, evoking a floating structure. The Oceanário focuses on ocean conservation and education, with exhibits highlighting marine ecosystems around the world.
Why It’s Worth a Visit
The Central Tank
A massive 5-million-litre tank represents the open ocean, where you’ll see sharks, rays, sunfish, and hundreds of other species swimming past you on all sides.
Four Marine Habitats
Surrounding the main tank are four themed areas:
North Atlantic rocky coast
Antarctic habitat with penguins
Pacific kelp forest
Indian Ocean coral reefs
Each one is carefully designed to replicate conditions and species from those regions.
Over 450 Species
From sea otters and jellyfish to seahorses, birds, and tropical fish, there are more than 16,000 animals across the aquarium.
Forests Underwater
This permanent exhibit is a freshwater “nature aquarium” created by Takashi Amano, known for its calming beauty and lush aquatic plants.
Educational Programs
Includes “sleeping with the sharks” for kids, marine science workshops, and interactive exhibits promoting sustainability.
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