The 8 Best Aquariums in Portugal

1.Lisbon Oceanario: Aquarium Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,454 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $30Our pick

Visit Lisbon Oceanarium independently with a mobile admission ticket. Spend two to three hours exploring 8,000 animals across ocean habitats, the huge central tank, Takashi Amano’s Forests Underwater, and Submerged Universe. The aquarium is on the Parque das Nações waterfront, near public transportation.

“It was really good. To avoid the crowds, go when it opens. It had a good variety of aquatic species and plants. Creative habitats. Enjoyed myself.”

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2.SEA LIFE Porto Full-Day Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 637 reviews · 1 day · from $22Best value

Visit SEA LIFE Porto for a full day of marine exhibits, including black tip sharks, green sea turtles, seahorses, rockpool creatures, and Portugal’s largest collection of cow-faced rays. Free talks and feeding demonstrations add context, while all-day re-entry lets you pause for the nearby beaches or lunch elsewhere.

“Divertido com crianças, porém acho o valor do ingresso muito caro, já que o SeaLife não é grande e não tem tanto para se ver.”

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3.Sealife Sea Safari, Dolphin Watching with Marine Biologist’s Lagos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 313 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48Top rated

Set out from Lagos Marina for a 90-minute dolphin search with a certified marine biologist on every trip. Fast rigid inflatables and a catamaran carry groups of up to 20. Daniela, Mafalma, and other guides explain dolphin behavior while you watch common and bottlenose dolphins in the wild.

“The marine biologists were kind and knowledgeable. It took awhile to locate dolphins but we eventually did and it was amazing .”

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4.Diving in the Madeira Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 215 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $163

At Madeira Aquarium in Porto Moniz, guides including Abílio, Manuel, and Michael lead beginners and certified divers through a natural pool and a 6-meter aquarium tank. Expect equipment, instruction, a guided aquarium visit, and close views of sharks, rays, morays, and local fish.

“Best fun we ever had. The instructor was very patient, even with me panicking in the water. An experience that made us want to learn more about diving, it was 100% worth it.”

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5.Porto Moniz: Diving with Sharks and Rays in Madeira Aquarium

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 192 reviews · 3 hours · from $159

At Madeira Aquarium in Porto Moniz, Abílio Sousa guides a small group through the exhibits and technical zone before a supervised scuba session with sharks, rays, and mantas. You practice first in a natural ocean pool, use provided equipment, and spend about three hours learning at your own pace.

“An awesome activity to try (even if you have fears like I did)! Able to try out scuba diving bout felt safe and comfortable.”

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6.Kayak Tours with Amazing Caves, sea life and Marine Biologist .

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 122 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $36

From Praia Grande in Ferragudo, paddle along the Algarve coast with a guide such as Ricardo, Roberto, or Octavio. Expect cave stops, snorkeling, sea-life explanations, SUP boards, and a secluded beach. A support boat may tow kayaks outward, but you still need moderate fitness and should expect to get wet.

“We had a fantastic time kayaking through caves and visiting deserted coves and beaches. Ricardo was an excellent guide and his knowledge of marine biology was fascinating. Of all the kayaking tours/experiences operating in the area, I would definitely recommend this one.”

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7.Lisbon Oceanarium and Belém and Modern Lisbon bus Hop On Hop Off Tours 48h

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 38 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Pair Lisbon Oceanarium with 48 hours on Yellow Bus routes covering Belém and modern Lisbon. Your mobile voucher must first be exchanged for a bus ticket, so validate it before heading to the aquarium. The pass also includes Carris trams, discounts, and Carris Museum entry.

“The ticket office would not redeem our ticket purchased through Viator. They said I had to first use the hop on hop off bus and have the ticket validated by them. It was a long walk back to where the bus would stop and we were told they only came every half an hour. Thus I never used the Viator ticket and paid separately for the Oceanarium.”

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8.Algés: Vasco da Gama Aquarium Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 20 reviews

Spend about 1.5 hours at the Vasco da Gama Aquarium in Algés, a historic museum aquarium near Lisbon. See live species from Portugal’s coast, follow King Carlos’s oceanographic work, and view the royal yacht Amelia through a virtual ocean experience. The visit is self-guided and wheelchair accessible.

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