Best Aquariums in Europe 2023 | Ratepunk | Biggest Aquariums

The list of Best Aquariums in Europe 2023

• Oceanario de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
• Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain
• Acquario di Genova, Italy
• Nausicaa, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France
• Sea Life Helsinki, Finland
• L’Aquarium Barcelona, Spain
• Sea Life London Aquarium, UK

Oceanario de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal

With more than a million gallons of seawater to support the lives of 8,000 sea creatures, the Oceanarium, as it is also known, is Portugal's largest indoor aquarium. Four enduring displays depict various natural habitats where different species of birds, fish, amphibians, and mammals can be found. Visitors are encouraged to learn fascinating facts about the ocean waters and, more notably, how and where to make choices in their daily lifestyles that actually encourage the conservation of nature while strolling through remarkable and unforgettable exhibits. 

The working hours are from 10 till 8 but there are several exceptions, for example, in the program Sleeping with sharks, you get to spend one whole night at the aquarium, near the sharks! It will cost each visitor 60 euros to participate in this program. Oceanário de Lisboa has many different programs, many made for kids, such as concerts for babies and fado for kids. No wonder Lisbon is one of the Best Cities to Visit with Kids in Europe. 

Check the Oceanario official website for more info and the ticket purchase.

Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain

One of the best aquariums in the world, and unquestionably one of the biggest aquariums in Europe, is located in Valencia. This aquarium has specimens from the major marine ecologies found throughout the world. The Mediterranean, Wetlands, Temperate and Tropical Seas, Oceans, the Antarctic, the Arctic, Islands, and the Red Sea, as well as the Dolphinarium, are represented by a different building. The aquarium is open from 10 till 6 and 10 till 9 on the weekends with some special dates that the hour change.

The aquarium has many different exhibitions to see different species. Visitors can walk through the wetlands that are on the ground level and watch the birds and other animals that are living above sea level. But the biggest exhibition of all is the open ocean exhibition where you get to see all sorts of small and big underwater animals. Especially, tiger sharks can be viewed from very close disappearing. 

Another interesting part of the park is the dolphin show where you can see these lovely creatures from close. It is recommended to get there sometime sooner than the show starts in order to get a good seat.

Visit the Oceanografic official website.

Acquario di Genova, Italy

The Aquarium of Genoa opened its doors in 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of America, and it receives more than a million visitors annually. The Aquarium of Genoa gives visitors the opportunity to learn about aquatic life while traveling with dolphins, sharks, penguins, manatees, jellyfish, tropical fish, and animals from the Antarctic. you will discover 12,000 specimens belonging to 600 animal species and 200 vegetal species at this aquarium.

One of the exhibitions of the aquarium is the shark bay where visitors can see these predators of the sea from close range. There are also other species such as sawfish and many interesting fishes are shown at this exhibition. Also, the penguin section is one of the interesting places in this aquarium. The section is called the ice kingdom and has Gentoo penguins and Magellanic penguins alongside some species that can only be seen here.

Acquariodigenova official website.

Nausicaá, Boulogne-sur-Mer, France

Boulogne-sur-Mer of France is home to "Nausicaa," one of the biggest aquariums in all of Europe. The stunning structure offers 4 different touring routes, each with a distinct theme and fish species that go along with it. The enormous aquarium tank is so impressive that it silences people. 58.000 creatures, including hammerhead sharks, leopard sharks, sandbar sharks, horn sharks, nurse sharks, manta rays, clownfish, and sea lions will take you on an unforgettable journey to the heart of the Ocean. 

There are some activities available at this aquarium such as SEA LION TRAINING and LAGOON FISH FEEDING. While attending the lagoon fish feeding you get to see 3,000  species of fish and get to know more about their diets. Some of these fishes are angelfish, surgeonfish, coralfish, or batfish. Another way to experience the ocean is through THE TOUCH TANK where you get to have close interaction with some of the spices and gently caress them.

Visit the Nausicaa official website for more information.

Sea Life Helsinki, Finland

The distance from the city center to SEA LIFE Helsinki's location in Alppila, Helsinki, is only ten minutes by tram. You are transported into the incredible aquatic environment by SEA LIFE Helsinki. Prepare yourself for breathtakingly close viewpoints of the deep sea's stunning and captivating animals. Numerous species whose habitats are challenged by pollution and other types of harm brought on by humans are displayed in the exhibitions. Since the Baltic Sea is the body of water closest to this aquarium, they have a whole exhibit devoted to teaching children about it.

The aquarium has different zones with different characteristics. At the feeding spots, visitors get to feed some of the fish which include Archerfishes and Ray fishes. In some other parts of the aquarium, visitors get to watch electric eels and Pirhanas which are among the most dangerous animals in this place. there are also other sections dedicated to smaller fishes and sea plants for those who are interested.

Buy your tickets from Visitsealife.

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L’Aquàrium Barcelona, Spain

The most significant marine recreation and education facility in the world devoted to Mediterranean underwater life is the Barcelona L'Aquàrium, which is situated in the city's historic harbor, Port Vell. It is the ideal location to learn about the sea floor and all of its various species because despite being perceived as a leisure facility, the aquarium makes an impressive effort to showcase the animals, their ecosystems, and how those habitats interact.

The facility is a combination of several aquariums such as The Ozeaneum, Mediterranean Aquariums, Tropical Aquariums, and Theme Aquariums. Also, there are several exhibitions at this place, each with its own uniqueness. There is an 80-meter glass tunnel that guides you through different sections of the facility for better access to all the areas. One of the unique experiences provided by this aquarium is diving with sharks. Brave people can book appointments and dive in with the sharks with the supervision of professionals.

The aquarium is open from 10 but the closing time varies depending on the time of the year and day of the week. For more info visit Aquariumbcn page.

Sea Life London Aquarium, UK

The Big Ben, The London Dungeon, and DreamWorks Tours: Shrek's Adventure are just a short stroll from the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, housed in the County Hall building on London's South Bank. 

There are three aquarium zones at this facility. Ocean invaders, Rainforest Adventure, and Coral Kingdom. The ocean invaders section focuses on Jellyfishes. You can expect to see Moon Jellyfish, Upside Down Jellyfish, and Amakusa Jellyfish all year round but also many other Jellyfishes are brought to this section at certation times of the year. The Rainforest Adventure focuses on creatures found in the Amazon. There are many unique creatures such as the Chilean rose tarantula and Pirhana in this section. In the Coral Kingdom section, you get to see Regal tangs, Cardinal fish, Clownfish, and many other fishes and species swimming through the 40ft long tank.

Buy your tickets from Visitsealife.

Take a look at other Aquariums in the UK.