I visited Haus des Meeres on my second trip to Vienna, and both my husband and I liked it a lot. Yes, I include aquariums on my itineraries. We also visited Sea Life Munich, and I would happily visit other good aquariums during future trips.
Haus des Meeres is more than an aquarium, though. There are fish and sharks, but also reptiles, monkeys, birds, insects, tropical areas and a rooftop from where you can see Vienna. And all of this is inside a former World War II flak tower.
The attraction has changed since our visit. Haus des Meeres – Aqua Terra Zoo – has continued to improve its exhibits and add new areas, so there is even more to see today. In this Haus des Meeres Vienna guide, I’m sharing my experience along with the current information you need – what to see, how long to spend here, tickets, opening hours, the different floors, feeding times, accessibility, the rooftop and practical tips.
I am also sharing what to visit if you are on the run and only have a limited time to spend here.
And, of course, I’ll answer an important question if you’re deciding which Vienna attractions deserve your time: is Haus des Meeres worth visiting?
What Makes Haus des Meeres Different From a Regular Aquarium?
If you’re searching for an aquarium in Vienna, you may expect a conventional building filled mainly with tanks. I can tell you that Haus des Meeres is very different and that is a good thing. It occupies a huge former anti-aircraft tower in Esterházypark and extends vertically through 11 floors. This is actually what made me book a visit to Aqua Terra Zoo the first time: apart from what you can see, the building itself has an interesting aspect and a particular history.
Today, around 5,000 square meters contain more than 10,000 animals from approximately 600 species.
The name means “House of the Sea,” but you’ll see much more than marine life. There are freshwater species, crocodiles, snakes, lizards, monkeys, birds, flying foxes, insects and tropical environments alongside sharks, rays, turtles and countless fish.
The building also influences the experience. You keep moving upward through completely different environments until, eventually, you reach the roof and look out across Vienna.
Haus des Meeres Floor by Floor
If you’re looking for a Haus des Meeres floor-by-floor guide, knowing roughly what is where can help you decide which floors deserve more time. The attraction changes and improves regularly, so I’d still check the current layout shortly before your visit.
I wouldn’t try to turn the day into a race through 11 numbered floors. Use the layout as orientation, then spend longer wherever your interests take you.
My tip: If you want to explore it all, make sure you don’t have time restrictions. You might go fast through it, or you may discover you would like to take your time with some of the floors and beings here (that was the case for us).
Ground Floor – Atlantic Tunnel and Koi
The ground floor includes the Atlantic Tunnel and the koi area, together with the ticket desk, shop, cloakroom and lockers.
This is one of those rare attractions where the first animal area is already one of the highlights, so it will be a nice start for you 🙂
The koi are also one of the exceptions to the usual “don’t touch the animals” rule. Visitors can gently touch them, following the instructions provided there.
Floor 1 – Snakes, Lizards and Leaf-Cutter Ants
Floor 1 is home to reptiles, including snakes and lizards, along with the leaf-cutter ants.
I remember being sort of mesmerized by those ants. I kept watching their whole route and following the way they moved through the galleries.
It’s funny because you go to an aquarium thinking the sharks or the giant tanks will be what stays with you, and then years later you still remember the ants.
The venomous snakes are another attraction I always find both interesting and scary. I want to look at them, but I’m also very pleased about the thick glass separating us.
The venomous snake area has been renovated since our visit, so this is another floor I’d be curious to see again.
Floor 2 – Jellyfish, Piranhas, Nibble Fish and Croc Park
Floor 2 brings together Mediterranean marine life, jellyfish, octopus, piranhas and freshwater exhibits. This is also where you can access Croc Park and part of the Tropical House.
There’s a nibbling-fish pool here too. Visitors can put their hands into the water and let the fish nibble gently at the skin.
The koi and nibble fish are specific hands-on experiences. In the rest of Haus des Meeres, you should never touch the animals or feed them unless staff explicitly tell you otherwise.
Floor 3 – Coral Reefs and the Surf Reef
Floor 3 focuses on coral reefs and tropical marine life, but there’s also a feature that families in particular shouldn’t miss.
The Surf Reef has two glass viewing domes built into the aquarium floor. You can put your head up inside the dome and see the fish around you from a completely different angle.
It’s a simple idea, but it makes this floor much more interactive than just walking past another row of tanks.
Floor 4 – Puppi, Seahorses and Café Sharky
Floor 4 gives you one view of Puppi’s aquarium, along with seahorses and another entrance into the Tropical House.
Café Sharky is also on this floor if you want a break partway through your visit.
Seahorses are another species I can watch for a surprisingly long time. They look so unusual that I always end up waiting to see what they’ll do next.
Floor 5 – Puppi and the Deep-Sea Tank
From Floor 5 you can see Puppi’s aquarium from another angle.
This level also includes the deep-sea aquarium and giant spider crabs, another animal that tends to attract attention simply because of its size and appearance.
Floor 6 – Sturgeon, Conservation and Animal Care
The current Floor 6 includes the sturgeon aquarium, information about ocean conservation and areas connected with the care and rescue of reptiles and amphibians.
The sturgeon aquarium is one of the newer additions, another reminder that Haus des Meeres doesn’t stay exactly the same for very long.
Floor 7 – The 360° Shark Tank and Pacific Eye
If you’re short on time and deciding which Haus des Meeres floors to prioritize, Floor 7 belongs near the top of my list.
This is where you’ll find the 360° shark tank and Pacific Eye, along with reptiles and a desert terrarium.
If a shark feeding is scheduled during your visit, this is also one of the floors where your timing can affect the experience.
Floor 8 – Mangroves, Chameleons, Spiders and Scorpions
Floor 8 moves into mangrove environments, chameleons and nocturnal animals, including spiders and scorpions.
This may be a floor some people hurry through and others love. I’m somewhere in between. I find these creatures interesting, but I’m also very aware of exactly where they are.
Floor 9 – Lemurs, Komodo Dragon, Congo and Australia
There’s a lot to see on Floor 9, including lemurs, the Komodo dragon, the Congo aquarium and the Australia area.
Several of these exhibits were added after our visit, so the upper part of Haus des Meeres would be particularly interesting for us now.
Floor 9.1 – Lemurs, Insects and the Komodo Balcony
The additional 9.1 level continues the Madagascar and Komodo areas and includes insects, lemurs and the Komodo balcony.
This is also where some of the scheduled lemur experiences take place.
Floor 10 – Hammerhead Sharks and WWII History
Floor 10 combines the hammerhead shark aquarium with the historical side of Haus des Meeres.
I like that the history hasn’t been erased from the building. You’re visiting a modern aquarium and zoo, but you’re still inside a huge structure built during World War II, and the exhibition explains that part of its past.
Floor 11 – Rooftop and 360° OCEAN SKY
The final floor gives you the rooftop and 360° OCEAN SKY.
I’d leave enough time to enjoy the view rather than arriving here five minutes before you need to leave. The whole visit has been vertical, so reaching the top and seeing the city around you feels like a natural ending.
Should You Start at the Bottom or Go Straight to the Top?
People looking for the best way to explore Haus des Meeres sometimes find advice to take the elevator straight up and then work downward. That can be useful, especially if the building is crowded, but I wouldn’t treat it as a secret rule that everyone has to follow.
Starting from the ground floor
This is the most natural route. You see the Atlantic Tunnel first and then move gradually through the different areas until you reach the rooftop.
I also like the idea of finishing with the city view rather than seeing it before the rest of the attraction.
Going up first and working down
If the elevators are busy and you’re comfortable using stairs, taking the elevator higher up and walking down may reduce the number of elevator trips you need.
It also makes sense if the upper floors contain the exhibits you care about most.
Check feeding times before choosing any route
This is what I’d recommend you to do first.
Haus des Meeres has animal feedings, training sessions and presentations on different floors at different times. If there’s a shark feeding, lemur training or another activity you really want to see, plan around that instead of following a fixed route simply because someone online called it the best one.
I’d much rather change floors twice than realize later that I’d missed the feeding I wanted to see.
How Long Do You Need at Haus des Meeres?
ID 65245667 ©Pavel Lipskiy | Dreamstime.com
If you’re trying to work out how long to spend at Haus des Meeres, the official recommendation is two to three hours. I think that’s a good estimate for many people, although you can easily spend less or considerably more.
About 90 minutes – only if you’re short on time
You can see the main Haus des Meeres highlights in around 90 minutes, but you’ll need to keep moving.
I’d concentrate on the Atlantic Tunnel, Tropical House, Puppi, 360° shark tank, Floors 9 and 9.1, the hammerhead sharks and the rooftop.
I wouldn’t choose such a short visit unless your itinerary was genuinely tight.
Around two hours
Two hours is more comfortable and gives you time to see all the floors without examining every tank or reading every information panel.
If you enjoy aquariums but aren’t someone who waits ten minutes for every fish to come closer, this may be enough.
Two to three hours will suit many visitors
This is the amount of time I’d normally reserve.
You can watch the animals instead of simply checking off floors, stop when something catches your attention and still make it to the rooftop without rushing.
You can easily spend four hours or more
Families, photographers, and people who genuinely love animal attractions can stay much longer.
Add a feeding session, the historical presentation, Café Sharky and time at the rooftop, and the visit grows quickly.
If you know you tend to linger at aquariums, don’t book another attraction with a fixed entry time immediately afterward.
Haus des Meeres Tickets and Prices
People checking Haus des Meeres ticket prices before a Vienna trip have a few options beyond the standard admission. These are the current prices at the time of this August 2026 update, so check the official ticket page before your visit in case anything changes.
Adults: €23.50.
Children aged 6 to 15: €9.80.
Children aged 3 to 5: €6.50.
Children under 3: free.
There are also reduced rates for some students, seniors and visitors with disabilities, depending on the conditions listed by Haus des Meeres.
The €16 weekday evening ticket is worth checking
This is one of the most useful ticket options if your itinerary is flexible.
On eligible weekdays, adults can currently buy an evening ticket from 5:30 p.m. for €16 at the ticket desk.
That saves €7.50 compared with the regular adult price.
Haus des Meeres stays open until 8 p.m., so arriving at 5:30 still gives you around two and a half hours. That falls right within the official recommended visit time, although you’ll need to keep moving if you want to see everything.
If I were planning another Vienna trip and had a free weekday evening, I would definitely consider it.
Should you buy tickets online?
Online tickets give you access to the Fast Lane, which can be helpful on busy days.
They don’t guarantee an empty attraction. Haus des Meeres itself warns that weekends, public holidays and vacation periods can still bring longer waits, particularly in the morning.
But buying online at least removes the need to queue at the normal ticket desk first.
Haus des Meeres Opening Hours and the Best Time to Visit
If you’re deciding when to visit Haus des Meeres and how to avoid the busiest periods, the long daily opening hours give you more flexibility than many Vienna attractions. The zoo is currently open from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., with last entry at 7:30 p.m.
Weekdays are a good choice when possible
I prefer weekdays for popular attractions whenever the rest of the itinerary allows it.
Haus des Meeres warns that weekends, holidays and vacation periods can be busier, and morning waiting times can be longer during those periods.
That’s one reason I wouldn’t automatically assume that 9 a.m. is always the best possible time.
Late afternoon can work very well
A later visit can make sense if you don’t want to join the morning crowds. On eligible weekdays, it also gives you the option of the discounted evening ticket.
You can then finish your visit near the top later in the day, which may make the rooftop view even nicer.
Is Haus des Meeres good on a rainy day?
Yes. If you’re looking for indoor things to do in Vienna when it rains, this is an easy attraction to consider because most of the visit is inside.
The only downside is obvious: many other people may have the same idea.
If you’re visiting during a cooler month, my Vienna in March article has more ideas for mixing indoor and outdoor sightseeing.
What about a hot summer day?
Haus des Meeres can also give you several hours away from Vienna’s summer heat.
Just remember that the tropical areas themselves are warm and humid, so not every floor will feel cool.
Check the Feeding Times Before Your Visit
Haus des Meeres feeding times can be worth planning around because seeing the animals during feeding or training gives you something different from simply looking into the enclosures.
The current program includes activities involving sharks, piranhas, reptiles, lemurs, monkeys, birds, insects, sturgeon and Puppi, although the schedule varies by day.
I wouldn’t copy a feeding timetable into your travel notes weeks in advance. Check the current schedule shortly before you go and choose one or two sessions that interest you.
Then adjust your route around them.
The Haus des Meeres Rooftop and 360° OCEAN SKY
One of the things I liked at Haus des Meeres was reaching the top and seeing Vienna spread out below. Today, the 11th floor is also home to 360° OCEAN SKY Restaurant & Bar, so you can stop for a drink or a meal while enjoying the view.
I remember enjoying the view during our visit, and I wouldn’t leave the building without seeing it.
Can you visit 360° OCEAN SKY without buying a zoo ticket?
Yes.
The restaurant can be reached separately using the panoramic express elevator, so you don’t have to buy a Haus des Meeres ticket just to go up for the restaurant and rooftop experience.
Do zoo visitors have to eat at the restaurant to enjoy the view?
No. If you’ve paid for Haus des Meeres, you can enjoy the rooftop view without having a meal at the restaurant.
If you do want to stay longer, having a drink or meal at the top can be an easy way to finish the visit.
Visiting Haus des Meeres With Kids
Families researching Haus des Meeres with kids will find plenty that works well for different ages. Large aquariums, free-roaming animals, reptiles and a few hands-on experiences help break up a visit that could otherwise feel long for younger children.
Is Haus des Meeres suitable for toddlers?
Yes, although toddlers obviously won’t appreciate every floor or exhibition in the same way older children will.
The bigger tanks, moving animals, Tropical House and interactive areas are likely to get more attention than detailed information panels.
The koi and nibbling-fish pool also give children a chance to interact rather than only look. Visitors can gently touch the koi and place their hands in the nibbling-fish pool, following the instructions there.
And the glass domes inside the Surf Reef on Floor 3 are another feature I think children will enjoy.
Can you bring a stroller?
Yes, but there are restrictions.
Strollers aren’t permitted in the Tropical House, Congo aquarium or Australia loop. Stroller parking is available near the cloakroom and lockers on the ground floor.
Haus des Meeres also discourages very large prams, bicycle trailers and wagon-style strollers because space can become tight.
If your child is small enough and you already use a carrier comfortably, it can make those particular sections easier. But I wouldn’t tell every family they need to leave the stroller at home.
Another Vienna attraction we enjoyed
If your family likes attractions where you can interact with exhibits rather than only look at them, the Technical Museum is another one I really recommend.
We spent almost an entire day there, and it was one of those museums where both my husband and I found different things we enjoyed.
Haus des Meeres Accessibility
If wheelchair access or reduced mobility is part of your planning, Haus des Meeres accessibility is much better than you might expect from the outside of a huge former WWII tower. The attraction currently states that around 98% of the building is accessible.
Elevators serve the floors, and the main current exceptions are the south galleries on Floors 1 and 3.
Accessible toilets are available on the ground floor and on Floors 5, 10 and 11.
For safety reasons, Haus des Meeres currently limits the number of wheelchair users inside the building at the same time to six. One accompanying person per wheelchair user can currently enter free.
If accessibility is essential for your visit, I’d check the current rules again before going because these details can change.
Haus des Meeres Has Changed Since Our Visit
If you compare older Haus des Meeres photos with the attraction today, you’ll notice quite a few differences. Some of the exhibits people now consider major highlights didn’t exist when we were there.
I actually see that as a good thing.
Haus des Meeres keeps developing instead of remaining the same year after year. The Atlantic Tunnel opened in 2016, the Komodo and Madagascar areas followed in 2020, the 360° shark tank in 2021, the Australia area in 2022, while more tropical, freshwater, reptile and conservation spaces have continued to be renovated or added since then.
So my photos show the Haus des Meeres we experienced at the time, while this article includes the current layout and practical information.
It’s also one of the reasons I’d return. There are now entire sections we haven’t seen.
Vienna itself is similar for me. Even after more than one trip, I still have places I’d happily revisit, including several from my list of favorite Vienna places.
What Not to Miss at Haus des Meeres
When you start looking at what to see at Haus des Meeres, you’ll quickly realize that there’s no single star attraction. Every few floors the experience changes, and even some of the smaller exhibits can keep you there longer than expected.
Still, if you don’t have unlimited time, there are several places I’d make sure you see.
The Atlantic Tunnel
The Atlantic Tunnel is on the ground floor, so you get one of the major aquarium experiences almost immediately.
The tunnel is about 10 meters long and passes through a huge Atlantic aquarium holding more than 500,000 liters of water. Fish and other marine animals move beside and above you while you walk through.
I wouldn’t treat it as something to rush through just because it appears at the beginning of the visit.
The Tropical House
The Tropical House covers several levels and brings a completely different atmosphere into the building. There are plants, birds and other animals that can move freely around the area, so you have to look in more than one direction.
I remember what I thought of as the little bat room, with the flying foxes.
I was afraid to enter.
I took the stairs instead, while my husband wanted to see the room. He didn’t go without me, even though I told him it was absolutely fine and that he should.
If we go back, I’d like him to finally see that part properly. Now our son could go with him too – I think I would still skip it.
Croc Park
Croc Park can be accessed from Floor 2 and adds yet another type of animal to a place many people initially think of simply as an aquarium.
By this point in the visit, you’ve already gone from underwater tunnels to tropical environments and reptiles, which gives you an idea of how varied Haus des Meeres really is. I loved this!
Puppi the Sea Turtle
Puppi is one of the best-known animals at Haus des Meeres. Her large aquarium can be seen from Floors 4 and 5, giving you different views of the same habitat.
I always enjoy watching sea turtles, and this is another place where I wouldn’t worry about following a strict schedule minute by minute.
The 360° Shark Tank
The 360° shark tank on Floor 7 was added after our visit, and this is one of the exhibits I’d be particularly interested in seeing now.
You can view the tank from all sides, with reef sharks, rays and many smaller fish moving through the water. Shark feedings also take place here on selected days.
The Australia Area
The Australia loop on Floor 9 is another major area that didn’t exist when we visited.
Haus des Meeres keeps improving the experience rather than simply maintaining the same collection year after year, and this section is a good example of how much the attraction has developed.
Lemurs and the Komodo Dragon
Floors 9 and 9.1 include the Madagascar area, lemurs, insects and the Komodo dragon.
There are also scheduled lemur training sessions on certain days. If lemurs are high on your list, check the program before your visit rather than hoping you happen to reach the floor at the right time.
The Hammerhead Shark Aquarium
On Floor 10, you’ll find the Caribbean hammerhead shark aquarium.
The same floor is also connected with the historical part of Haus des Meeres, so the visit suddenly shifts from animals to the very different story of the building itself.
The Rooftop View Over Vienna
Don’t reach the 11th floor and immediately head for the exit.
The rooftop is part of the Haus des Meeres experience. You can see Vienna from above, and there’s also the 360° OCEAN SKY Restaurant & Bar at the top.
I remember enjoying the view when we visited. After spending a few hours looking into tanks and terrariums, it’s nice to finish by looking out across the city.
Why Is Haus des Meeres Inside a WWII Flak Tower?
The Haus des Meeres flak tower history is worth knowing because the building looks nothing like a normal aquarium from the outside. The massive concrete tower was built during World War II as part of Vienna’s anti-aircraft defense system.
Haus des Meeres began using the tower in 1957 and gradually transformed it into the aquarium and zoo visitors see today.
The contrast is difficult to miss. You’re surrounded by tropical plants, sharks, turtles and monkeys, but the original purpose of the structure was completely different.
“Remembering Inside” – the historical exhibition
The “Erinnern im Innern” or “Remembering Inside” exhibition keeps that history visible rather than hiding it behind the modern zoo.
The historical material is connected with the upper floors and preserved sections of the old structure.
At the time of this update, Haus des Meeres also offers guided “Remembering Inside” presentations that last around 20 minutes. They’re currently scheduled daily at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., with an additional Friday presentation at 6 p.m. They’re included with zoo admission and don’t require a separate reservation, although I’d check the current program before your trip.
I think this part is worth seeing even if the animals are your main reason for visiting.
If museums are a large part of your Vienna plans, my selection of Vienna museums includes options for very different interests.
Haus des Meeres vs Schönbrunn Zoo – Which One Should You Visit?
Comparing Haus des Meeres vs Schönbrunn Zoo makes sense if you have limited time, but these aren’t two versions of the same attraction. They offer very different days out.
Haus des Meeres is compact in terms of location, vertical, mostly indoors and particularly strong for marine life, reptiles and tropical environments.
Schönbrunn is a large traditional zoo spread across extensive grounds, with animals including elephants, giraffes, giant pandas and big cats. It also sits beside Schönbrunn Palace, so many people make the whole area a major part of their day.
| Haus des Meeres | Schönbrunn Zoo |
| Usually easier to fit into 2-3 hours | Better when you can dedicate a large part of the day |
| Mostly indoor experience | Much more outdoor walking |
| Strong marine life and reptile focus | Broad traditional zoo collection |
| Central location | Part of the Schönbrunn complex |
| Former WWII flak tower | Historic imperial setting |
| Rooftop view over Vienna | Extensive zoo and palace grounds |
If you have only a few hours and really enjoy aquariums, I’d choose Haus des Meeres.
If you want a traditional zoo experience and have a large part of the day available, Schönbrunn is the stronger choice.
If animals are a major interest and your trip is long enough, I see no reason not to visit both. We did.
And if you’re still deciding how Schönbrunn fits with Vienna’s other imperial attractions, this comparison of the main Vienna palaces may help.
How to Get to Haus des Meeres
Getting to Haus des Meeres by public transport is straightforward because the attraction is in Vienna’s 6th district, close to Mariahilfer Straße. The address is Fritz-Grünbaum-Platz 1, 1060 Vienna.
Getting there by U-Bahn
Neubaugasse on the U3 is one of the easiest options.
Kettenbrückengasse on the U4 is another nearby station, depending on where you’re coming from.
Getting there by bus
Bus lines 13A, 14A and 57A serve the Haus des Meeres area.
Once we’re in Vienna, we generally prefer using public transport for sightseeing rather than moving the car around the city.
Parking at Haus des Meeres
If you do arrive by car, the official recommendation is the WIPARK garage at Windmühlgasse.
Haus des Meeres visitors can currently receive a reduced parking rate. Scan the barcode from your zoo ticket at the payment machine before paying.
If you’re still deciding which district makes the most sense for your trip, my guide to where to stay explains the areas in much more detail.
Food, Lockers, Photos and Other Practical Things to Know
Some of the most useful Haus des Meeres tips are simple things you may not think about until you’re already inside. With 11 floors, warm tropical areas and several hours of walking around, small practical decisions can make the visit more comfortable.
Café Sharky
Café Sharky is on Floor 4, near Puppi’s aquarium.
It’s useful if you want a break without leaving Haus des Meeres, while 360° OCEAN SKY at the top is the option for a longer meal or drink with a view.
Lockers and cloakroom
The cloakroom, lockers and stroller parking are on the ground floor behind the shop.
I’d use them if you have coats or bags you don’t need. Carrying extra things up and down 11 floors gets old quickly.
Can you take photos inside Haus des Meeres?
Yes. Photography and video are allowed, and tripods are currently permitted too.
Flash should be switched off around the animals.
If you like animal photography, allow extra time. Fish and reptiles don’t care that you’ve already taken 20 photos and would now like them to move into better light.
Can you bring pets?
Regular pets aren’t allowed inside.
Assistance dogs can enter under the current rules, although there are restrictions in areas where other animals move freely.
Haus des Meeres Has Live Webcams – and I Got Distracted by Them
If you’re looking for Haus des Meeres webcams before your visit, there are now several live streams on the official site.
I only discovered them recently, while writing this article.
I went to the Haus des Meeres site because I wanted to check the latest details and add the correct links. Then I saw the live webcams.
Of course I clicked.
And yes, I admit I spent some time watching them instead of writing.
There are several live views, including cameras at the Atlantic Tunnel and Puppi’s tank, plus rooftop webcams showing Vienna in different directions.
It’s a nice way to get a small preview before visiting, or to look back at the attraction after you’ve been there.
Just don’t open all of them when you’re supposed to be working on something else.
My Tips for Visiting Haus des Meeres
After looking again at our experience and everything that has changed since then, these are the Haus des Meeres tips I’d use myself on another visit.
Check feeding times before choosing your route. If there’s a shark feeding or lemur session you want to see, build the visit around it.
Give yourself two to three hours. You can move faster, but there’s enough here that I wouldn’t want to.
Don’t assume morning is always the quietest time. Busy mornings can happen on weekends, public holidays and during vacation periods.
Look at the weekday evening ticket. If the timing suits your itinerary, €16 instead of €23.50 is a useful saving.
Don’t neglect the upper floors. Several of the major newer areas are there, including the 360° shark tank, Australia, the Komodo dragon and hammerhead sharks.
Leave time for the rooftop. You’ve made it all the way to Floor 11. Enjoy the view.
Use the lockers if you’re carrying things you don’t need. The Tropical House is warm enough without a heavy coat over your arm.
If you have children, don’t rush past the smaller interactive features. The Surf Reef domes, koi and nibbling fish may get just as much attention as some of the large tanks.
Check the latest information shortly before visiting. Haus des Meeres has changed a lot over the years and continues to add and renovate exhibits.
And give yourself permission to stop at things that aren’t on anyone’s “top five.”
I still remember those ants.
What to Do Near Haus des Meeres
If you’re looking for things to do near Haus des Meeres, the location makes it easy to combine the visit with shopping, a museum or another part of central Vienna without spending half the day in transit.
Mariahilfer Straße is right beside the attraction, so shopping, coffee and restaurants are easy options before or afterward.
MuseumsQuartier is also nearby enough to combine with Haus des Meeres if you still have the energy for another museum.
I personally wouldn’t schedule two huge indoor attractions back to back unless I had a very specific reason. After two or three hours at Haus des Meeres, a walk, coffee or dinner may sound better.
If you continue toward the center, you can easily build the rest of the day around another attraction. Karlskirche remains one of my favorite churches in Vienna, while a broader Vienna city break can include palaces, museums, parks and less conventional attractions like this one.
If you’re staying longer and want to get outside the city too, there are plenty of easy day trips to add on another day.
Would I Visit Haus des Meeres Again?
Yes.
If you like aquariums and this type of animal attraction, I think Haus des Meeres is a must-see in Vienna. It’s big enough to fill several hours, varied enough that you don’t feel as if you’re looking at the same thing on every floor, and the building itself gives the visit another dimension.
I liked it when we went, and several of today’s major exhibits didn’t even exist yet.
I’d like to see the Atlantic Tunnel, 360° shark tank, Australia area and newer Komodo and Madagascar sections. I’d like to see what the renovated Tropical House looks like now and spend more time again with some of the animals we enjoyed on our first visit.
And there’s still that bat area.
I’d go back with my husband so he could finally see what he skipped because I wouldn’t go with him. This time, our son could join him.
I suspect I’d still wait outside.
But I’d definitely return to Haus des Meeres.
Is Haus des Meeres Worth Visiting?
If you’re wondering whether Haus des Meeres is worth visiting in Vienna, my answer is yes, especially if you like aquariums, animals or places that offer several very different experiences under one roof.
We liked it, and I’d visit it again.
At €23.50 for a regular adult ticket, I can understand why someone may hesitate, especially when a trip to Vienna already includes several paid attractions. But Haus des Meeres isn’t a small aquarium that you finish in half an hour. It currently has 11 floors, more than 10,000 animals from around 600 species, large aquariums, tropical areas, reptiles, sharks, free-roaming animals, a historical exhibition and the rooftop.
There’s quite a lot packed into the building, and I think the price makes more sense once you look at the complete experience.
Who will enjoy Haus des Meeres the most?
Families are an obvious audience, but I definitely don’t see Haus des Meeres as an attraction only for children. My husband and I visited without a child and both enjoyed it.
It’s also a good option if you’ve already seen some of Vienna’s palaces, churches and traditional museums and want something completely different. If this is your first trip and you’re still deciding how to organize your time, these Vienna tips cover many of the practical details that can make the rest of the trip easier.
I’d also consider Haus des Meeres on a rainy, cold or very hot day. Most of the visit is indoors, although the tropical sections are warm and humid, as you’d expect.
Is Haus des Meeres worth visiting without kids?
Yes. If you like aquariums, reptiles and unusual animal attractions, there’s no reason you need children with you to enjoy it.
You can spend time watching the larger tanks, look for small details in the terrariums, attend one of the feeding sessions, learn more about the building itself and finish with a view over Vienna.
For us, it was simply an enjoyable part of the trip.
When would I skip it?
If you have a very short first visit to Vienna and there are major sights you’ve always wanted to see, you’ll need to choose according to your own priorities. Someone coming mainly for Habsburg history or art may prefer to spend those two or three hours elsewhere.
But if you already know you enjoy this type of attraction, I wouldn’t hesitate to include Haus des Meeres.
Pin made with this photo: ID 43427450 ©Andrei Alexa | Dreamstime.com
More Questions About Visiting Haus des Meeres
These are a few more practical questions that often come up when people are planning a Haus des Meeres Vienna visit, especially when deciding whether it fits their itinerary, their children or their available time.
Is Haus des Meeres an aquarium or a zoo?
It’s both. Haus des Meeres combines marine and freshwater aquariums with reptiles, monkeys, birds, insects, tropical environments and other animals across 11 floors.
How many floors does Haus des Meeres have?
Haus des Meeres has 11 main floors, plus the additional 9.1 level associated with the Madagascar, lemur, insect and Komodo areas.
How long should you spend at Haus des Meeres?
Allow around two to three hours for a normal visit. You can see the main highlights faster, while families, photographers and people attending feedings can easily spend four hours or more.
Is Haus des Meeres good for adults?
Yes. My husband and I visited as adults and both liked it. The combination of aquariums, reptiles, tropical areas, the historical tower and rooftop gives adults plenty to see even without children.
Is Haus des Meeres good when it rains?
Yes. Most of the attraction is indoors, which makes it a good option on a rainy day in Vienna. Keep in mind that bad weather may also bring more people to indoor attractions.
Can you touch animals at Haus des Meeres?
In general, no. Visitors shouldn’t touch or feed the animals unless the attraction specifically allows it. The koi and nibbling-fish pool are exceptions, where visitors can gently interact with the fish according to the instructions provided.
Can you visit the rooftop without buying a Haus des Meeres ticket?
You can visit 360° OCEAN SKY separately without zoo admission by using the panoramic elevator to Floor 11.
Can Haus des Meeres visitors see the rooftop without eating at the restaurant?
Yes. Zoo visitors can enjoy the rooftop panorama without having to eat at 360° OCEAN SKY.
Is Haus des Meeres wheelchair accessible?
Approximately 98% of the attraction is currently wheelchair accessible. Elevators serve the building, while the south galleries on Floors 1 and 3 are among the current exceptions.
Can you take a stroller into Haus des Meeres?
Yes, but strollers aren’t allowed in the Tropical House, Congo aquarium or Australia loop. Stroller parking is available on the ground floor.
Can you take photos inside Haus des Meeres?
Yes. Photography, video and tripods are currently allowed, but flash should be turned off around the animals.
What is the closest U-Bahn station to Haus des Meeres?
Neubaugasse on the U3 is one of the most convenient stations. Kettenbrückengasse on the U4 is another nearby option.
Does Haus des Meeres have a restaurant?
Yes. Café Sharky is inside Haus des Meeres on Floor 4, while 360° OCEAN SKY Restaurant & Bar is on Floor 11 and can also be visited without entering the zoo.
Is Haus des Meeres or Schönbrunn Zoo better?
Choose Haus des Meeres if you want an aquarium-focused, mostly indoor attraction that fits comfortably into part of a day. Choose Schönbrunn Zoo if you want a large traditional zoo with many land animals and can spend much longer there. If you like both types of attractions and have enough time, they’re different enough to visit both.
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Violeta-Loredana Pascal is a communications expert, business mentor, and the founder of Earth’s Attractions and PRwave INTERNATIONAL. A pioneer in the Romanian digital PR landscape since 2005, she holds a degree in Communication and Social Sciences from SNSPA Bucharest. Violeta is a senior trainer at AcademiadeAfaceri.ro, where she leverages over 20 years of experience to teach professional courses in PR strategy and workplace productivity. By blending high-level business consulting with a passion for holistic travel and wellness, she empowers solopreneurs to overcome procrastination, build profitable brands, and design a life of purposeful adventure.
