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Wish to stand up shut and private with a few of the world’s rarest marine creatures? On the greatest aquariums in Europe, you possibly can admire tropical fish, come nose-to-nose with sharks, feed penguins, stroke stingrays, and far more.
Because of the wonderful aquariums of Europe, there’s no must need to jet off to the coral reefs of Australia or the Caribbean simply to come across a few of our most strange ocean-dwelling cousins. In nearly each main European metropolis, you possibly can discover huge aquariums that present properties to tens of 1000’s of vibrant sea animals.
On high of tropical fish, Europe’s largest aquariums are sanctuaries for animals starting from rescued otters to playful penguins. You’ll have the ability to get to know these animals by actions that embrace reside feeding periods, coaching demonstrations, workshops and even guided dives.
Listed here are 13 of the largest aquariums in Europe together with what you possibly can besides to see and do at every one. Regardless of the place you plan to go in your subsequent European trip, you received’t be removed from an aquarium that’ll transport you into one other world.
The Largest Aquariums in Europe
From Oceanario de Lisboa in Portugal’s capital metropolis to SEA LIFE Scheveningen within the Netherlands, listed below are 13 of the largest and greatest aquariums in Europe.
1. Oceanario de Lisboa (Portugal)
House to over 8,000 ocean-dwelling creatures, Oceanario de Lisboa is the most important indoor aquarium in Portugal. In addition to all kinds of our underwater cousins, Oceanario de Lisboa can be a sanctuary for an array of birds, mammals and amphibians.
Whereas exploring this huge advanced, you’ll uncover 4 marine habitats that present a house to vibrant fish, eels, tunas, barracudas and ferocious sharks. And for round EUR 60 per particular person, you possibly can really spend the night time on the aquarium to catch some z’s simply metres from the sharks.
2. SEA LIFE Hannover (Germany)
If you wish to stand up shut and private with a few of the most majestic sea creatures on the planet throughout your time in Germany, you must discover the SEA LIFE Hannover aquarium.
House to over 40 separate swimming pools that double up as habitats for over 2,500 dazzling creatures, SEA LIFE Hannover is among the greatest aquariums in Europe. Whereas exploring this underwater world, you’ll see creatures that hail from the Leine river in Germany to the shores of the Caribbean to the Amazon basin.
On high of recognizing animals reminiscent of turtles, sharks and vibrant fish, in style actions at SEA LIFE Hannover embrace diving, talks and workshops for the little ones. This aquarium is actually not one to overlook if you wish to take advantage of a household journey to Germany.
3. L’Oceanografic (Spain)
Positioned within the east of Valenica, L’Oceanografic is not only one of many greatest aquariums in Europe – it’s additionally an enchanting oceanographic museum for guests of all ages, to not point out one of many largest dolphinariums on this planet.
Over 500 marine species name L’Oceanografic dwelling. A few of my favorite species embrace damselfish, longhorn cowfish, dreamfish and clownfish. Whereas strolling by the 35-metre underwater tunnel, you’ll be inches from creatures reminiscent of seals, octopuses, bull rays and sharks.
4. SEA LIFE Oberhausen (Germany)
On high of 45 swimming pools and aquariums crammed with sea creatures from the Rhine to the Caribbean, SEA LIFE Oberhausen boasts the most important shark breeding tank in Germany.
You may observe over 5,000 animals in recreated pure habitats at this enormous aquarium. Stingrays, piranhas, jellyfish and seahorses are simply a few of the species you’ll encounter. You’ll even have the possibility to face inside just a few toes of majestic turtles.
For me, the spotlight of SEA LIFE Oberhausen is the 148 sq. metre water basin that’s crammed with younger cat sharks, black tip reef sharks, and a plethora of sea creatures. You can even discover out what child sharks eat by attending the each day feedings.
5. Nausicaá – Centre nationwide de la Mer (France)
Over 58,000 animals reside on the Nausicaá aquarium in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, making it greater than deserving of a place on our listing of the largest aquariums in Europe.
Nausicaá has 4 trails for guests to observe, every one having its personal distinct theme and vary of fish species to go along with it. On high of a greater diversity of fish species than I knew existed, this unbelievable aquarium is dwelling to an array of superior sharks – leopards, hammerheads, nurse, horn and sandbar sharks, to call just a few.
One among Nausicaá’s tanks includes a window that measures 5 by 20 metres, providing a close-up view of a few of the world’s rarest deep-sea creatures. You may expertise these creatures swimming round and above you whereas strolling by the 18-metre glass tunnel.
To take advantage of your go to, you may need to watch a reside feeding or a sea lion coaching session. There’s additionally a touching tank that offers the children the possibility to pet a few of our tamer ocean-dwelling cousins.
6. SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand (Germany)
At SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand, you possibly can admire over 2,500 lovely sea-bearing and land-based animals in 12 exhibition areas.
Whereas exploring this aquarium, you’ll meet fish species from the neighbouring Baltic Sea all the way in which to the tropics. In fact, I really like all animals equally, however the encounter with the small-clawed otters Bonnie and Clyde was notably heart-melting.
For sheer awe, you possibly can stroll by an underwater tunnel to get eerily near blacktip reef sharks. There’s additionally a touching basin that provides you a hands-on assembly with crabs, anemones and starfish.
You probably have the heart, you come face-to-face with majestic boa constrictors within the Rainforest Journey space. You can even stick your head right into a 360-degree glass dome contained in the piranha basin.
7. Aquàrium Barcelona (Spain)
One other one of many greatest aquariums in Spain is the Aquàrium Barcelona, dwelling to round 11,000 animals throughout over 450 species.
The aquarium is separated right into a whopping 35 sections, a few of the highlights being the Ozeaneum, Theme Aquariums and Tropical Aquariums. The Mediterranean Aquariums are particularly in style, the place you possibly can observe sandbar sharks and tiger sharks swimming alongside bullet tuna, leerfish and guitarfish.
Some of the spectacular options of Aquàrium Barcelona is the glass tunnel that permits you to stroll straight by a various underwater world – the tunnel is 80 metres lengthy! For those who’re feeling courageous, you possibly can even dive with sharks at this well-known aquarium in Europe (you’ll must e book prematurely).
8. SEA LIFE Benalmadena (Spain)
Positioned proper subsequent to the Mediterranean, SEA LIFE Benalmadena provides you the possibility to satisfy 1000’s of sea creatures from the neighbouring ocean – plus 1000’s extra from a lot, a lot additional adrift.
Simply a few of the animals that reside at SEA LIFE Benalmadena embrace clownfish, seahorses and jellyfish. There’s additionally a 180-degree submarine tunnel that permits you to get near inexperienced turtles and sharks.
If you wish to see a myriad of floating colors, try the varied array of tropical fish within the Amazonia freshwater zone. For insights into underwater species from nearer to dwelling, browse the Mediterranean space.
In addition to watching reside feeding periods, in style actions at SEA LIFE Benalmadena embrace touching creatures reminiscent of hermit crabs and starfish within the rockpool. That is undoubtedly one of many greatest and greatest aquariums in Europe for household adventures.
9. Nationwide Aquarium Denmark
The Nationwide Aquarium Denmark, also called the Den Blå Planet (Blue Planet), is considered the largest aquarium in Northern Europe.
In 53 separate exhibit tanks, you’ll catch sight of over 20,000 particular person fish belonging to round 450 species. A number of the hottest themed sections embrace the African Greak Lakes, the Heat Ocean and the Rainforest. You’ll discover a variety of Danish fish species, a seabird cliff and a touching pond within the Chilly Water part.
My favorite part needs to be Evolution and Adaptation, the place you possibly can spot uncommon species like mudskippers, archerfish and four-eyed fish in a mangrove aquarium. There are additionally aquaria with primitive species in addition to some significantly mean-looking alligator snapping turtles.
Curiously, the Nationwide Aquarium Denmark can be an architectural landmark of the Kastrup suburb of Copenhagen – its design resembles a whirlpool when seen from above.
10. SEA LIFE Blankenberge (Belgium)
SEA LIFE Blankenberge has been one of the crucial in style vacationer points of interest in Blankenberge and largest aquariums in Europe since opening its doorways in 1995. On high of being a formidable aquarium, SEA LIFE Blankenberge is a marine wildlife breeding sanctuary, the place you possibly can meet over 5,000 lovely fish and animal species.
As you make your method by this long-established marine attraction, you’ll see a various array of creatures in enormous tanks that replicate their pure habitats. Along with ocean-dwelling animals, you possibly can meet pleasant penguins and rescued otters. There are additionally over 400 seals dwelling right here which were rescued and nursed again to well being.
Throughout your go to, you possibly can study concerning the aquarium’s ongoing breeding programmes for rays, sharks, seahorses and king crabs. For those who’re visiting Belgium with the children, SEA LIFE Blankenberge is just not one to overlook!
11. Aquarium of Genoa (Italy)
Unfold throughout 27,000 sq. metres, the Aquarium of Genoa supplies an underwater sanctuary to over 12,000 animals from over 600 species. Right here, you’ll meet marine creatures from all corners of the globe, from the Americas to Antarctica.
There are over 70 tanks and exhibition areas on the Aquarium of Genoa, dwelling to fishes, birds, marine mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. A few of my favorite animals embrace sea cows, dolphins, seals and penguins. You can even get near ferocious predators at Shark Bay.
One of many aquariums cool extra touches is its everlasting digital actuality set up, Abyss Corridor, which takes you on a journey to the depths of the ocean. It’s price shopping for your tickets forward of time – it’s possible you’ll be turned down on the door if the place is already too packed.
12. SEA LIFE Paris (France)
If you wish to admire a few of the most stunning ocean-dwelling creatures on this planet whereas staying within the French Capital, you could head over to SEA LIFE Paris, the place you may get nearer than ever earlier than to greater than 2,250 animals.
The aquarium’s tanks are dwelling to tropical fish, sharks, seahorses and inexperienced turtles. You’ll even have the possibility to come across cute penguins. The free SEASCAN app means that you can study concerning the aquarium’s inhabitants as you discover.
13. SEA LIFE Scheveningen (Netherlands)
Planning a visit to The Hague with the household? You may need to uncover the great world of ocean-dwelling creatures at SEA LIFE Scheveningen when you’re right here.
As you make your method by this aquarium, you’ll see an abundance of marine life in 15 themed zones. Every zone recreates a unique habitat, which vary from Dutch rivers to the Antarctic.
You’ll have the possibility to return nose-to-nose with animals reminiscent of rays, sharks, seahorses and a whole bunch of tropical fish species. You’ll additionally have the ability to meet a bunch of penguins and the playful otter named Max, the star of the present.
What are your favorite aquariums in Europe?
You don’t must journey to the coral reefs of the Caribbean to satisfy tropical fish due to Europe’s greatest aquariums, the place you possibly can admire uncommon marine creatures, contact rays and starfish, feed penguins, watch animal demonstrations, and a lot extra.
Have I missed any of the largest aquariums in Europe that my readers and I ought to learn about? What are your favorite highlights on the aquariums detailed above? Let me know within the feedback under.
Fast listing of the largest aquariums in Europe
- Oceanario de Lisboa (Portugal)
- SEA LIFE Hannover (Germany)
- L’Oceanografic (Spain)
- SEA LIFE Oberhausen (Germany)
- Nausicaá – Centre nationwide de la Mer (France)
- SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand (Germany)
- Aquàrium Barcelona (Spain)
- SEA LIFE Benalmadena (Spain)
- Nationwide Aquarium Denmark
- SEA LIFE Blankenberge (Belgium)
- Aquarium of Genoa (Italy)
- SEA LIFE Paris (France)
- SEA LIFE Scheveningen (Netherlands)
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