If you want a Vienna attraction that mixes aquarium + tropical house + city views in one compact, weather-proof visit, Haus des Meeres is the perfect choice. Haus des Meeres is built inside a former World War II anti-aircraft tower and today houses 10,000+ animals across 11 floors—from sharks and rays to reptiles, monkeys, birds, and more. 🦈🐢🦎🌿
This practical guide shows you exactly how to plan a Haus des Meeres visit in 2026: tickets, opening hours, best feeding sessions, how to get there, and the mistakes that waste time.
What Haus des Meeres is (and why it feels different) 🏙️🦈
Unlike “flat” aquariums, Haus des Meeres is a vertical experience: you move floor-by-floor through different habitats, with several signature highlights (like the 360° shark tank feedings) and a rooftop view moment at the end.
A quick reality check before you go:
- ✅ It’s one of the best rainy-day attractions in Vienna.
- ✅ It’s great for families (but can get crowded on weekends/holidays).
- ⚠️ It’s inside a tower, so flow + elevators matter (more on that below).
Tickets and prices for Haus des Meeres 💳
Online tickets (most visitors should do this)
Here are the online ticket prices (EUR):
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | €23.50 |
| Child (6–15) | €9.80 |
| Small child (3–5) | €6.50 |
| Under 3 | Free |
Important rule: Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Ticket types only available at the counter (good to know) ✅
These are listed as only available at the ticket office (not online):
- Student (up to 27, with ID): €16.50 (valid Mon–Fri, excluding public holidays)
- Pupils older than 15 (with ID): €16.50
- Senior (from 64 / pension card): €16.50 (valid Mon & Tue, excluding public holidays)
- Adult evening ticket: €16.00 (Mon–Fri workdays from 5:30 p.m., buy on site only)
Annual tickets (weekday-focused)
Haus des Meeres also lists weekday annual tickets:
- Adult weekday annual ticket: €55 (Mon–Fri), plus 25% discount on weekends
- Child weekday annual ticket (3–15): €25 (Mon–Fri), plus 25% discount on weekends
Opening hours ⏱️
Haus des Meeres opening hours
- Daily: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (including public holidays; closes regularly at 8 p.m.)
- Ticket office closing time & last entry: 7:30 p.m.
Food options on-site (useful planning)
- Cafe Sharky: daily 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
- 360° OCEAN SKY rooftop restaurant: daily 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Feeding times at Haus des Meeres (plan your visit around these) 🕙🦈
Feedings and trainings are the easiest way to make Haus des Meeres feel “alive” instead of just “walk past tanks.” Here are some of the key sessions listed on their official schedule:
| Experience | When | Why it’s worth it |
|---|---|---|
| Shark feeding (360° shark tank) | Mon 10:30, Wed 15:00, Fri 15:30 | Guides comment live; great photos/video before you remember “no flash.” |
| Piranha feeding | Tue 15:30 | Fast, dramatic, easy to miss—arrive early for a good spot. |
| Lemur training | Mon & Thu 12:00 | Great for kids; training is about welfare and low-stress care. |
| Monkey training | Tue & Wed 11:00 | Learn how positive reinforcement supports health checks. |
| Venomous snake feeding | Thu 9:30 (biweekly) | A rare behind-the-scenes style moment (from a safe distance). |
| Shark diving / “Puppi” diving | Thu 18:00 | Fun “wow” session showing the big tank up close. |
How to get there 🚇🚌📍
Address: Fritz-Grünbaum-Platz 1, 1060 Wien.
Best public transport options
Haus des Meeres lists these as easy routes:
- 🚇 U3 → Neubaugasse
- 🚌 Bus 13A / 14A / 57A → “Haus des Meeres” stop
They also list U4 → Kettenbrückengasse as an additional option in visitor info.
Fast navigation tip 📍: If you’re near Mariahilfer Straße, the walk from U3 Neubaugasse is usually the simplest.
Practical visit plan ✅
90 minutes (quick, high-impact)
- Go straight for the 360° shark tank timing (if it matches your day).
- Keep moving upward—don’t get stuck on the first floors.
- Finish with the rooftop terrace / 360° OCEAN SKY view moment.
2–3 hours (best first-timer plan)
- Anchor your visit around one feeding/training (sharks or lemurs are easiest).
- Do a full floor-by-floor climb at a steady pace.
- Take a break at Cafe Sharky if you’re with kids.
- End on the rooftop—don’t skip it.
With kids (stress-free mode) 👨👩👧👦
- Plan around lemur training or shark feeding.
- Keep a “two highlights per hour” rule to avoid overstimulation.
Tips and common mistakes ✅⚠️
Do this ✅
- ✅ Go later in the afternoon if you hate crowds—Haus des Meeres explicitly notes mornings can have longer waits in busy periods and suggests using afternoon hours (open until 8 p.m.).
- ✅ Use online tickets and the Fast Lane when available (they mention gate redemption and fast lane benefit for online tickets).
- ✅ Time your visit with feeding sessions—they’re the “secret sauce.”
Avoid this ⚠️
- ⚠️ Don’t arrive after 7:30 p.m.—that’s last entry.
- ⚠️ Don’t bring large prams/wagons/bike trailers—they specifically request avoiding them due to space limits.
- ⚠️ Don’t forget the rule: under-14s must be with an adult.
FAQ ❓
What are Haus des Meeres opening hours?
Daily 9:00–20:00, with last entry at 19:30.
How much are Haus des Meeres tickets?
Online: adult €23.50, child 6–15 €9.80, small child 3–5 €6.50, under 3 free.
What’s the best feeding to see?
Shark feeding at the 360° shark tank is the most “wow” (Mon/Wed/Fri times listed).
How do I get to Haus des Meeres by metro?
Take U3 to Neubaugasse, then walk.
Is the rooftop restaurant included?
The rooftop venue 360° OCEAN SKY is part of the Haus des Meeres building and has its own opening hours (8:30–23:00).
Conclusion
Haus des Meeres is one of Vienna’s most efficient “do a lot in one place” attractions: aquarium, tropical animals, feeding sessions, and a rooftop skyline finale—open daily until 8 p.m. Plan around last entry at 7:30 p.m., pick at least one feeding (sharks are the classic), and you’ll get a full, satisfying visit without overplanning. ✅
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