Would you wish to stand up shut and private with among the world’s rarest sea creatures? Within the largest aquariums in Europe, you’ll be able to admire tropical fish, face sharks, feed penguins, pet stingrays and way more.
Due to the wonderful aquariums of Europe, there is not any want for that I’ve to fly to the coral reefs of Australia or the Caribbean simply to fulfill a few of our strangest and most stunning ocean-dwelling cousins. In nearly each main European metropolis, you’ll be able to discover big aquariums that present a house to tens of hundreds of colourful marine animals.
Along with tropical fish, Europe’s largest aquariums are havens for animals, from rescued otters to playful penguins. You may get to fulfill these animals by way of actions that embrace stay feeding, coaching demonstrations, workshops and even guided dives.
Listed below are the 13 largest aquariums in Europe together with what you’ll be able to see and do in each. Regardless of the place you propose to go in your subsequent European trip, you will not be removed from an aquarium that may transport you to a different world.
The biggest aquariums in Europe
From Oceanario de Lisboa within the Portuguese capital to SEA LIFE Scheveningen within the Netherlands, listed here are 13 of the most important and greatest aquariums in Europe.
1. Lisbon Oceanarium (Portugal)
Oceanario de Lisboa, residence to greater than 8,000 ocean-dwelling creatures, is the most important indoor aquarium in Portugal. Along with the wide range of our underwater family members, the Oceanario de Lisboa can be a haven for a wide range of birds, mammals and amphibians.
As you discover this huge complicated, you may uncover 4 marine habitats residence to colourful fish, eels, tuna, barracudas and wild sharks. And for round 60 EUR per particular person, you’ll be able to spend the evening within the aquarium and catch a couple of z’s just some meters from the sharks.
2. SEA LIFE Hannover (Germany)
If you wish to stand up shut and private with among the most majestic sea creatures on the planet throughout your keep in Germany, it’s best to discover the SEA LIFE Hannover Aquarium.
House to greater than 40 separate swimming pools which are additionally habitats for greater than 2,500 dazzling creatures, SEA LIFE Hannover is among the largest aquariums in Europe. As you discover this underwater world, you may see creatures that come from the Leine River in Germany to the shores of the Caribbean to the Amazon Basin.
Along with watching animals similar to turtles, sharks and colourful fish, in style actions at SEA LIFE Hannover embrace diving, talks and workshops for the little ones. This aquarium is unquestionably to not be missed if you wish to benefit from your loved ones journey to Germany.
3. L’Oceanografic (Spain)
Situated within the east of Valenica, L’Oceanografic isn’t solely one of many largest aquariums in Europe – it is usually an enchanting oceanographic museum for guests of all ages, to not point out one of many largest dolphinariums on this planet.
Greater than 500 marine species name L’Oceanografic residence. A few of my favourite species embrace damselfish, longhorn cowfish, dreamfish and clownfish. As you stroll by way of the 35-meter underwater tunnel, you may be inside inches of creatures similar to seals, octopuses, rays and sharks.
4. SEA LIFE Oberhausen (Germany)
With 45 swimming pools and aquariums full of sea creatures from the Rhine to the Caribbean, SEA LIFE Oberhausen boasts the most important shark breeding tank in Germany.
On this big aquarium, you’ll be able to observe greater than 5,000 animals in recreated pure habitats. Rays, piranhas, jellyfish and seahorses are simply among the species you’ll encounter. Additionally, you will have the chance to face a couple of meters from the magnificent turtles.
For me, the spotlight of SEA LIFE Oberhausen is the 148 sq. meter water pool which is full of juvenile cat sharks, blacktip reef sharks and a bunch of sea creatures. It’s also possible to discover out what the child sharks eat by attending the every day feedings.
5. Nausicaá – Nationwide Sea Heart (France)
Greater than 58,000 animals stay within the Nausicaá aquarium in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, making it a greater than deserved place on our listing of the most important aquariums in Europe.
Nausicaá has 4 trails that guests can comply with, every with its personal particular theme and a wide range of fish species to associate with it. On prime of a bigger choice of fish species than I knew existed, this unimaginable aquarium is residence to a variety of wonderful sharks – leopard sharks, hammerheads, nurse sharks, horn sharks and basking sharks to call a couple of.
One in all Nausicaa’s tanks has a 5 by 20 meter window, from which among the world’s rarest deep sea creatures could be seen up shut. You possibly can expertise these creatures swimming round and above you as you stroll by way of the 18-meter glass tunnel.
To benefit from your go to, you would possibly wish to watch stay feeding or sea lion coaching. There’s additionally a touchable tank that provides children the prospect to pet a few of our tamer ocean-dwelling cousins.
6. SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand (Germany)
At SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand you’ll be able to admire greater than 2,500 beautiful sea and land animals in 12 exhibition areas.
Exploring this aquarium, you’ll encounter fish species from the neighboring Baltic Sea all the way in which to the tropics. After all, I like all animals equally, however assembly Bonnie and Clyde the little-clawed otters particularly thrilled me.
For an actual awe, you’ll be able to stroll by way of an underwater tunnel to get eerily near blacktip reef sharks. There may be additionally a touching pool that provides you a hands-on encounter with crabs, glowworms and starfish.
Should you’ve received the heart, you may come face-to-face with majestic boas within the Rainforest Journey space. It’s also possible to poke your head into the 360-degree glass dome contained in the piranha pool.
7. Aquarium in Barcelona (Spain)
One other of the most important aquariums in Spain is the Aquàrium Barcelona, residence to round 11,000 animals in over 450 species.
The aquarium is split right into a whopping 35 sections, among the most essential being the Ozeaneum, themed aquariums and tropical aquariums. Mediterranean aquariums the place you’ll be able to watch sandbar sharks and tiger sharks swimming alongside bluefin tuna, leerfish and guitarfish are significantly in style.
One of the crucial spectacular options of Aquàrium Barcelona is the glass tunnel that lets you stroll straight by way of the various underwater world – the tunnel is 80 meters lengthy! Should you’re courageous, you’ll be able to even snorkel with sharks at this well-known aquarium in Europe (it’s essential to e-book prematurely).
8. SEA LIFE Benalmadena (Spain)
Situated proper subsequent to the Mediterranean Sea, SEA LIFE Benalmadena provides you the prospect to fulfill hundreds of sea creatures from the neighboring ocean – plus hundreds extra from a lot, a lot additional afield.
Simply among the animals that stay at SEA LIFE Benalmadena embrace clown fish, seahorses and jellyfish. There’s additionally a 180-degree underwater tunnel that allows you to stand up near inexperienced turtles and sharks.
If you wish to see plenty of floating colours, try the various array of tropical fish within the freshwater zone of the Amazon. For a better have a look at underwater species, try the Mediterranean space.
Along with watching stay feeding, in style actions at SEA LIFE Benalmadena embrace touching creatures similar to hermit crabs and starfish within the rock pool. That is undoubtedly one of many greatest and greatest aquariums in Europe for household adventures.
9. Nationwide Aquarium of Denmark
The Nationwide Aquarium of Denmark, often known as Den Blå Planet (The Blue Planet), is taken into account the most important aquarium in Northern Europe.
In 53 separate exhibition tanks, you will note greater than 20,000 particular person fish belonging to about 450 species. A few of the hottest themed sections embrace Africa’s Nice Lakes, Heat Ocean and Rainforest. You can find all kinds of Danish fish species, a seabird cliff and a touching pond within the Chilly Water part.
My favourite part must be Evolution and Adaptation, the place you’ll be able to spot uncommon species similar to leapers, darters and four-eyed fish in a mangrove aquarium. There are additionally aquariums with primitive species, in addition to some significantly mean-looking alligator snapping turtles.
Curiously, the Nationwide Aquarium of Denmark can be an architectural landmark within the Copenhagen suburb of Kastrup – its design resembles a vortex when considered from above.
10. SEA LIFE Blankenberge (Belgium)
SEA LIFE Blankenberge is among the hottest vacationer points of interest in Blankenberge and the most important aquarium in Europe because it opened its doorways in 1995. Along with being a powerful aquarium, SEA LIFE Blankenberge can be a marine wildlife breeding reserve, the place you’ll be able to meet greater than 5,000 cute fish and animal species.
As you make your manner by way of this long-known marine attraction, you may see a various array of creatures in huge aquariums that replicate their pure habitats. Along with animals that stay within the oceans, you’ll be able to meet pleasant penguins and rescued otters. It is usually residence to greater than 400 seals which were rescued and recovered.
Throughout your go to, you’ll be able to study extra concerning the aquarium’s ongoing breeding packages for stingrays, sharks, seahorses and king crabs. If you’re visiting Belgium with kids, SEA LIFE Blankenberge is to not be missed!
11. Aquarium in Genoa (Italy)
Unfold over 27,000 sq. meters, the Aquarium of Genoa gives an underwater sanctuary for greater than 12,000 animals from greater than 600 species. Right here you’ll meet sea creatures from all around the world, from America to Antarctica.
There are greater than 70 tanks and exhibition areas on the Aquarium of Genoa, residence to fish, birds, marine mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. A few of my favourite animals are manatees, dolphins, seals and penguins. It’s also possible to stand up near wild predators at Shark Bay.
One of many aquarium’s cool further touches is its everlasting digital actuality set up, Abyss Corridor, which takes you on a journey into the depths of the ocean. It pays to purchase tickets prematurely – chances are you’ll be turned away on the door if the place is already full.
12. SEA LIFE Paris (France)
If you wish to admire among the world’s most stunning creatures that stay within the oceans whereas staying within the French capital, it’s best to go to SEA LIFE Paris, the place you may get nearer than ever earlier than to greater than 2,250 animals.
Aquarium aquariums are residence to tropical fish, sharks, seahorses and inexperienced turtles. Additionally, you will have the prospect to fulfill cute penguins. The free SEASCAN app allows you to study concerning the aquarium’s inhabitants as you discover.
13. SEA LIFE Scheveningen (Netherlands)
Planning a visit to The Hague with your loved ones? You would possibly wish to uncover the fantastic world of ocean-dwelling creatures at SEA LIFE Scheveningen when you’re right here.
As you make your manner by way of this aquarium, you will note an abundance of marine life in 15 themed zones. Every zone recreates a unique habitat, stretching from Dutch rivers to Antarctica.
You’ll have the chance to return head to head with animals similar to rays, sharks, seahorses and lots of of species of tropical fish. You may additionally get to fulfill a bunch of penguins and the playful otter Max, the star of the present.
What are your favourite aquariums in Europe?
You do not have to journey to the coral reefs of the Caribbean to fulfill tropical fish because of Europe’s largest aquariums, the place you’ll be able to admire uncommon sea creatures, contact rays and starfish, feed penguins, watch animal demonstrations and way more.
Have I missed any of the most important aquariums in Europe that my readers and I ought to find out about? What are your favourite particulars within the above aquariums? Let me know within the feedback beneath.
A brief listing of the most important aquariums in Europe
- Lisbon Oceanarium (Portugal)
- SEA LIFE Hannover (Germany)
- L’Oceanografic (Spain)
- SEA LIFE Oberhausen (Germany)
- Nausicaá – Nationwide Heart of the Sea (France)
- SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand (Germany)
- Aquarium in Barcelona (Spain)
- SEA LIFE Benalmadena (Spain)
- Nationwide Aquarium of Denmark
- SEA LIFE Blankenberge (Belgium)
- Aquarium in Genoa (Italy)
- SEA LIFE Paris (France)
- SEA LIFE Scheveningen (Netherlands)