Vienna: Haus des Meeres Entry Ticket
Hightlight
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English-Speaking
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Group-Friendly
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Local guide
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Reservations
History
Built in 1944 as one of six massive Flaktürme (anti-aircraft towers) by the Nazi regime to defend Vienna, this concrete colossus survived Allied bombings and post-war demolition attempts due to its reinforced structure. In 1957, it was repurposed into Haus des Meeres—a public aquarium and zoo—pioneering urban wildlife education in a city scarred by conflict.
Over decades, scientists transformed the 47-meter-high bunker into a vertical ecosystem spanning 11 floors, installing Europe’s first public shark tank in 2007 and continuously expanding habitats. Today, it stands as a symbol of peace and conservation, blending WWII history with vibrant biodiversity and panoramic city views from its rooftop.
Highlights
- Walk through the Atlantic and encounter sharks, rays, and turtles
- Visit the largest and most poisonous lizards in the world
- Enjoy a jungle adventure in the heart of Vienna
- Explore 11 floors of diverse species, from snakes to flying foxes
- Discover a WWII anti-aircraft tower turned zoo with over 10,000 animals
- Experience the 360° rooftop panorama over Vienna’s skyline
- Watch live feedings of sharks, piranhas, and crocodiles (select times)
Full Description
Step inside a living monument where wartime concrete meets tropical life at Haus des Meeres, Vienna’s vertical zoo housed in a repurposed WWII Flakturm. Ascend 11 themed floors via elevators and stairs, each revealing a new ecosystem—from the humid Croc Tropic with free-roaming monkeys and Komodo dragons to the Atlantic Tunnel where blacktip reef sharks glide overhead in a 300,000-liter tank.
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Encounter over 10,000 creatures: venomous Gila monsters, jewel-toned poison dart frogs, playful spider monkeys swinging through vines, and rare Hainan gibbons calling from misty enclosures. The journey culminates at the rooftop terrace, where a café and 360° views frame St. Stephen’s spire against the Alps—perfect for sunset photos.
Educational panels in multiple languages, live feeding sessions, and touch pools (seasonal) make science tangible. This isn’t just an aquarium—it’s an urban jungle reclaiming history, one habitat at a time.
Why Choose This Attraction?
Haus des Meeres offers a rare fusion of dark history and vibrant life, transforming a war relic into a beacon of conservation and wonder—nowhere else can you meet sharks inside a bunker. Its compact, vertical design suits time-pressed travelers, while skip-the-line access and wheelchair-friendly paths ensure inclusivity.
Ideal for families, reptile enthusiasts, and history buffs, it delivers high-impact experiences in under two hours. Pair it with nearby Naschmarkt or Mariahilfer Street for a full day of contrast—from wartime shadows to tropical brilliance.
What’s Included
- Haus des Meeres entry ticket
- Access to all 11 floors and exhibits
- Entry to the Atlantic shark tunnel and Croc Tropic
- Rooftop terrace with 360° Vienna panorama
- Live animal feedings with expert commentary (select days/times)
- Free audio guide via smartphone (English, German, 5 more)
- Access to tropical free-flight zone with birds and bats
- Elevator use throughout the tower
- Digital zoo map and feeding schedule
- Discount on café purchases with ticket
Pricing
From $27 per person
Meeting Point
Haus des Meeres main entrance, Fritz-Grünbaum-Platz 1, 1060 Vienna (directly at the base of the tower, near Esterházypark)
How to Get There
- By Metro: U3 to Zieglergasse (3-min walk) or Neubaugasse (5-min walk)
- By Tram: Line 5 to Esterházypark stop (1-min walk)
- By Bus: Line 57A to Haus des Meeres stop (direct)
- By Bike: 15-min cycle from Stephansplatz; bike racks at entrance
Good to Know
What to Bring:
- Comfortable shoes (some stairs between exhibits)
- Light jacket (cooler in aquarium zones)
- Camera (no flash in reptile houses)
- Reusable water bottle (refill stations on rooftop)
Know Before You Go:
- Open daily 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (until 8:00 PM Thursdays)
- No pets; guide dogs allowed with ID
- Feedings: sharks (Mon/Wed/Fri 3:00 PM), crocodiles (Sat 11:00 AM)
- Rooftop may close in high winds—check website
Reviews
- “It was perfect—the view, the animals, everything. I would happily come back. The shark tunnel is mind-blowing.”
- “A lot of interesting animals, not crowded, everything is clear and understandable, signs, where you might go. Big aquariums, nice panorama view on the top of floors.”
- “If there were only a tiny bit more directions, it was a bit overwhelming to find your way—but the Komodo dragon and rooftop made it worth it.”
Before you go, check these helpful travel products:
Maps
Video
FAQ's
How long does a full visit to Haus des Meeres typically take?
Most guests spend 1.5–2.5 hours exploring all 11 floors at a leisurely pace, with 30–45 minutes for the aquarium and shark tunnel, 20 minutes in the tropical zones with free-roaming monkeys and birds, and 15–20 minutes on the rooftop terrace for photos and refreshments. Live feeding sessions add 10–15 minutes if timed right (check the digital schedule at entry). The vertical layout encourages a natural flow—start at the top and descend, or vice versa—making it ideal for half-day itineraries.
Is the attraction suitable for young children and strollers?
Yes, Haus des Meeres is family-friendly with wide elevators accommodating strollers, a dedicated baby-changing station on the 5th floor, and engaging exhibits like the touch pool (seasonal) and monkey jungle that delight toddlers. However, some narrow paths in the reptile and insect zones may require folding strollers temporarily—lockers are available. Children under 3 enter free, and the compact size prevents fatigue, though the shark tunnel’s dim lighting and overhead swimmers may startle very young kids.
What is the history of the building, and are there WWII exhibits?
Originally one of Vienna’s six Flaktürme built in 1944 to house anti-aircraft guns and protect 20,000 civilians during air raids, this tower survived the war intact due to its 3.5-meter-thick walls. Post-1945, it stood abandoned until 1957, when it became Austria’s first public aquarium. Informational plaques on the ground floor detail its wartime role, construction under forced labor, and transformation into a zoo—offering a poignant contrast to the life thriving within. No weapons remain, but the raw concrete aesthetic preserves its historical gravity.
Are the animal feedings open to all visitors, and how can I join?
Live feedings are included with entry and open to all on a first-come basis—shark feedings occur Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 3:00 PM in the Atlantic Tunnel (arrive 10 minutes early for best viewing), while crocodiles are fed Saturdays at 11:00 AM in Croc Tropic with live commentary in German and English. Piranha feedings happen daily at 2:00 PM. Space is limited near tanks, so smaller groups rotate; check the board at entry for any schedule changes due to animal health.
Is the rooftop terrace accessible, and what can I see from there?
The rooftop is fully accessible via elevator and offers a stunning 360° panorama of Vienna—spot St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Danube, Prater Ferris Wheel, and the Alps on clear days. A small café serves coffee, ice cream, and Viennese pastries (outdoor seating weather-dependent). The terrace may close during high winds or storms for safety—check the website or entrance display. It’s an ideal spot for sunset photos, with the tower’s height (47m) providing unobstructed views unmatched by most city rooftops.
