Oceanário de Lisboa

NileGuide Expert tip:

To visit alight at Parque das Nações Metro station, walk through the Vasco da Gama shopping center, and then turn right along Avenida Dom João II before following signposts indicating Oceanário on the river front.

Description:

• Lisbon's Oceanário is the most popular visitor attraction in Portugal, and is the second largest aquarium in Europe. Designed by American architect Peter Chermayeff for the Expo 98 world exposition, the Oceanário is a fascinating trip through the world's oceans and is home to around 8000 aquatic species organized by habitat and viewed on two levels. A series of smaller aquariums surround a vast central tank where sharks, rays and a host of other mesmerizing marine life, including huge funky-looking sunfish (these gentle giants weigh on average 1,000 kilos!), swim and glide. Elsewhere, cuddly sea otters Eusebio and Amália win hearts and minds with their playful antics and look out, too, for the beautiful filigree sea dragons. This living exhibition teaches you to appreciate the oceans' richness and diversity and motivates to protect. It makes for a great family day out, and Parque das Nações can be explored afterwards.
  
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