Visiting Lisbon Oceanarium with a Toddler and how to get there
- tscheiman
- May 4
- 3 min read
Visiting Lisbon Oceanarium with a Toddler
What to Pack, Where to Eat, and How to Get There Without Stress
If you're in Lisbon with kids and you're looking for something that’s fun, educational, stroller-friendly and air-conditioned, Oceanário de Lisboa is a dream. It was one of the best stops on our trip — not only because of the penguins and sharks (though our toddler was obsessed), but because it was easy to enjoy as a family, even during Lisbon’s hot summer days.
But as with any outing in a new city, how you get there and what you pack makes a big difference. Here’s everything I wish I had known — plus how a safe, air-conditioned taxi with a child seat helped us get there stress-free.
Why Lisbon’s Oceanarium is a Must for Families
Located in the Parque das Nações area along the river, Oceanário de Lisboa is one of Europe’s largest indoor aquariums — and it shows. It’s calm, immersive, stroller-accessible, and perfect for little ones who love animals but aren’t quite ready for long zoo walks or theme parks.
Highlights include:
A massive central tank with sharks, rays, and sunfish
Penguin and otter enclosures
Dark, cool lighting (perfect for overstimulated kids)
Wide ramps ideal for strollers
Baby changing facilities and benches throughout
Our toddler was mesmerized by the jellyfish and squealed every time a diver appeared in the big tank. It was quiet, cool, and easy to manage as parents — a rare trifecta.
Ticket Info: What to Know Before You Go
🎟️ Adults: €25
👶 Children 3–12: €17
👶 Under 3: Free
🕒 Open daily 10:00–20:00 (last entry at 19:00)
💻 Book online to skip the line: oceanario.pt
We recommend booking the 10:00 time slot — it’s cooler, quieter, and works great if your toddler naps after lunch.
How to Get There Without Meltdowns
🚖 The Best Way: Taxi with Child Seat
Parque das Nações is about 20–30 minutes from central Lisbon. While public transport is available (metro to Oriente station), we quickly realized that the fastest, easiest and coolest way to get there was to book a taxi with a child seat through TaxiBambino.com.
Why it worked:
Air-conditioned comfort from our apartment in Bairro Alto
Safe car seat already installed — no juggling carriers or holding baby on your lap
Door-to-door service that meant no searching for entrances or stairs
And most importantly: our toddler stayed asleep the whole way back. Golden.
💰 Estimated fare:
From Baixa/Chiado: €15–20
From Belém: €20–25
From the airport: €10–15
From Alfama: €15–20
🚇 Public Transport (if you’re packing light)
You can also take the Red Metro Line to Oriente, then walk 10–15 minutes through the modern expo district. It’s scenic but not ideal with a stroller on hot days, and the station can be busy and chaotic at peak hours.
What to Pack for a Cool Day Inside
It may be indoors, but you’ll still want to prep for a full morning out.
We packed:
A light sweater (the aquarium is chilly)
Snacks and water (not allowed inside exhibits, but useful before/after)
A small stroller — ramps are everywhere, but there are no elevators for short transitions
A change of clothes for post-lunch ice cream spills
Wet wipes, always
If you’re traveling with a baby, there’s a changing station in the restrooms, and plenty of benches for feeding or quick breaks.
Where to Eat After Your Visit
We had lunch nearby, and there are several great kid-friendly options within walking distance.
Viva Lisboa (inside the Oceanário)
Quick-service café with sandwiches, kids’ meals, high chairs.
Nosolo Itália (by the waterfront)
Pasta, pizza, and gelato with outdoor seating and space for strollers.
Time Out Market (short taxi ride)
If your kids still have energy and you want variety — this food hall is great, but go early (before 12:00) to avoid the crowds.
If your child naps after lunch, booking a return TaxiBambino ride is the perfect way to get them home asleep and cool.
Final Thoughts: When Hot Days Need Cool Plans
Lisbon in summer can be stunning — but also sweltering. That’s why the Oceanarium is a top pick for families: it combines education, comfort, and that rare thing in a city of hills and heat — calm.
But how you get there matters just as much. Whether you’re heading across town from Alfama or Belém, booking a child-seat-equipped taxi meant our day started and ended without stress, without heat exhaustion, and without carrying a cranky child through metro tunnels.
🚖 Planning a visit to Lisbon Oceanarium?Book a family-friendly taxi with child seat now at TaxiBambino.com and get there cool, calm, and ready to explore.
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