Family travelers should look to Lisbon’s Oceanário, the highlight of the riverside Parque das Nações district, an area built when Portugal hosted Expo ’98. The aquarium is one of the world’s finest and a leader in marine conservation and awareness of ocean environments.
Kids and adults are equally wowed by the giant fishbowl that forms the core of the aquarium. Holding more than 1 million gallons of water and extending over two viewing levels, the tank consists of full-length viewing windows on all sides, where visitors stand fascinated by the variety and colors of the sea creatures.
Along with the big windows are smaller ones that give up-close views of caves and coral formations, where smaller fish swim and hide from larger predators. Around the corridors are individual display tanks spotlighting smaller species in an astonishing array of colors.
Kids may spot sharks or an octopus in the central tank, and four separate areas in the oceanarium replicate the land and water environments of the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Antarctic oceans. As you walk through the aquarium, you can watch penguins dive or sea otters play in their own natural settings.
In the theater, watch programs on ocean exploration, research and marine subjects. Stroll through current temporary exhibits, including artistic installations portraying tropical forests and the connection between humans and the sea. But everyone’s lasting impression of the Oceanarium is the magic and color of the more than 450 species of marine life swimming in their beautifully designed tanks and displays.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations
Mar 27, 2024Outdoor Family Adventures on Offer with Four Seasons
Four Seasons Resorts offer outdoor experiences perfect for family travelers this spring. Check out some of what awaits your traveling brood:
Sponsored Content
Make the Most of Hamad International Airport When Transferring
Making travel plans can be exciting; did you know planning on how to spend time at the airport the right way can enrich the overall trip experience? As a transfer hub, traveling through Doha's Hamad International Airport is a unique experience, as waiting never feels like waiting at one of the best airports in the world.
Destinations / North America
Mar 27, 20243 Family-Friendly Hotels in Baltimore
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor is surrounded by activities and attractions to keep families busy for several days, and for those who travel to get there, a trio of nearby hotels welcome children with amenities such as swimming pools, kid-sized bathrobes and bunk beds.
Destinations / North America
Mar 26, 2024Spring Festivals in New Orleans
Spring has sprung in New Orleans, Louisiana, for family travelers! Bring your crew to the Big Easy this season for a variety of family-friendly festivals, events and attractions.
Sponsored Content
Travel Tips to Help Protect Your Health and Your Trip
Five Tips to Help Minimize Potential Travel Problems
Destinations / North America
Mar 26, 2024Spring Adventures in New River Gorge
New River Gorge, America’s newest national park at less than 4 years old, was formed by one of America’s oldest rivers. New River surges through deep canyons, surrounded by a rugged landscape of forests and rock cliffs. Family travelers to this 70,000-acre park will find outdoor sports and adventures for the whole family.
ShareThis