Visiting Haus des Meeres in Vienna: What to Know Before You Go

Not sure what to expect at Haus des Meeres in Vienna? Here’s everything you need to know — and why it’s worth adding to your itinerary.

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When you think of Vienna, you picture classical music, grand buildings, maybe a slice of cake in a fancy café — not an aquarium filled with sharks, monkeys, and tropical fish climbing 11 storeys up through a WWII tower.

But while planning our trip, I was looking for things to do with kids and came across Haus des Meeres. The boys had “visit an aquarium” on their bucket list that year, so I figured this would be a good way to check it off.

What I didn’t expect was how much we’d all enjoy it.

It’s more than just tanks of fish. There’s a tropical rainforest with free-roaming monkeys, crocodiles and snakes, sharks, jellyfish, and a rooftop terrace with one of the best views over the city.

Why It’s Worth Visiting

While there are plenty of reasons to visit Haus des Meeres, from the variety of animals to the kid-friendly layout, what really makes it stand out is how unexpected it is. It’s unique, surprising, and nothing like what you’d expect to find in Vienna.

Before you even step inside, the building itself makes an impression. It’s not your typical glass-and-steel aquarium — it’s a massive concrete flak tower left over from WWII, now completely transformed into a vertical zoo and aquarium.

Inside, instead of wandering through one or two large open spaces, you move floor by floor, with something different to see on each level. Each section has its own theme — tropical fish, rainforest animals, reptiles, deep-sea creatures, and more. My kids loved that it felt like an adventure as you climbed higher.

You’ll see everything from sharks and stingrays to Komodo dragons, colourful reef fish, jellyfish, and even a Gila monster — which, honestly, I thought my kids were making up until it was there, staring right back at me.

There’s also a rainforest area with free-roaming monkeys, a suspension bridge, and dark, cave-like corners with snakes and frogs. At the very top, you’ll find a panoramic rooftop terrace where you can grab a snack and take in the views over the city.

It’s part aquarium, part zoo, part indoor jungle,  and a great way to spend a couple of hours in the city. 

What to Expect

Haus des Meeres is set up vertically, with exhibits spread over 11 floors inside the old flak tower. It’s fully indoors, so it’s a great option on cold or rainy days, or when you just need a break from being outside. (We visited Vienna in December, and it was the perfect indoor activity on a chilly day.)

You can either start at the top and work your way down or do what we did — just keep climbing up and discovering what’s on the next level. There’s no set route, and that’s part of the fun.

Most families took the elevator, but the stairs were totally manageable and actually added to the adventure. Each level has something different, from tropical fish and jellyfish to snakes, frogs, crocodiles, and even a small rainforest area where monkeys roam freely.

Some floors we moved through quickly, others we spent way longer on. It really just depends on what your kids are into.

You’ll find a mix of tanks, rainforest sections, dark corners with snakes and reptiles, and larger open viewing areas. Every floor has a map near the entrance so you can see what’s ahead, but my kids liked not knowing and being surprised each time.

Tip: Check the shark feeding times when you arrive so you don’t miss it — it’s one of the highlights!

At the very top is the rooftop terrace, with one of the best views over Vienna and a small café for a drink or snack before heading back down.

What Kids Will Love

There’s a lot here to keep kids interested, from animal encounters to hands-on spots and the fun of exploring floor by floor.

Here’s what stood out most for my two:

• The monkeys. Watching them move freely through the rainforest section was a huge hit.
  
• The Komodo dragons and Gila monster. I’ll admit it — I thought my son was making up the Gila monster until we walked around the corner and there it was, just staring at us. (Turns out he’d learned about it on Wild Kratts.)
  
• The surf reef domes. Kids can crawl under and pop their heads up in clear domes to feel like they’re inside the tank.
  
• The nibbling fish pool. A few seconds of bravery and then lots of giggles — this was a memorable one!
  
• Petting the koi. Near the top, there’s a shallow pool where the koi will swim right up to you.
  
• The shark feeding. Always a highlight for kids. Be sure to check the times when you arrive so you don’t miss it.
  
• The pressed penny machine. They spotted it right away, but I convinced them to wait until the end. Of course, I forgot which floor it was on… so we had to go back up every single one to find it. Worth it, though!
  

Some floors were quick stops, while others they didn’t want to leave. It really depends on what your kids are into, but there’s enough variety here that most families will find at least a few things that really stick.

Tips for Visiting haus des Meeres

• Buy tickets online to ensure your date and time. You’ll need to choose a time slot on their website. You can take the chance and show up (we did), but there’s no guarantee there’ll be space.
  
• Plan for at least 1.5 to 2 hours. We spent about 2.5 hours there without rushing, but your timing might depend on your kids’ interests.
  
• Best time to visit: It’s a popular thing to do in Vienna with kids, even for locals, so expect weekends to be busy. Weekdays are usually quieter, and the earlier you go, the better. We arrived just as a school group was coming in, and it got busy fast, especially at the entrance and lower floors.
  
• Check shark feeding times. Be sure to check when entering. It’s easy to miss if you’re on a different floor, but worth catching.
  
• Strollers aren’t ideal. There’s stroller parking on the ground floor, and the Tropical House, Congo Basin, and Australia Trail aren’t stroller-accessible. Bicycle trailers and wagons aren’t allowed inside, due to space.
  
• It’s fully indoors. A great option year-round — cool in summer, warm in winter, and you’ll be most comfortable if you dress in layers.
  
• There’s a rooftop café. Small but handy, and the views are some of the best in the city.
  
• There’s a playground right outside the entrance, and we thought it was one of the best playgrounds in Vienna for location and convenience. It’s smaller, has a more local feel, and was a great stop before or after the aquarium if you’re exploring more of the city.
  

How to Get There

📍Fritz-Grünbaum-Platz 1, 1060 Vienna

Haus des Meeres is in the Mariahilf district, just off Mariahilfer Straße, one of the city’s main shopping streets. It’s easy to get to by public transport or on foot if you’re already exploring central Vienna or if you’re staying nearby (Mariahilf is one of the areas we recommend staying in for families visiting Vienna).

• By U-Bahn: Take the U3 line to Neubaugasse — it’s a short walk from the station.
  
• Walking: We walked from Karlskirche and it took about 20 minutes. If you’re coming from MuseumsQuartier or shopping along Mariahilfer Straße, it’s even closer.

Once you’re nearby, you won’t miss it — the tall concrete tower definitely stands out.

Our Take on Haus des Meeres

If you’re visiting Vienna with kids, Haus des Meeres is absolutely worth adding to your list. It’s not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the city, but that’s part of what makes it so fun. Between the animals, the rainforest section, the views from the top, and the variety on each floor, it’s one of those places that feels a bit unexpected — in the best way.

It’s a great break from palaces and museums, fully indoors, and easy to fit into your trip as a half-day activity. Our visit was a mix of wide-eyed moments, hands-on exploring, and laughs (especially when we had to retrace every floor just to find that pressed penny machine).

We left with happy kids, great memories, and a new favourite spot in Vienna.

Planning more of Vienna?

We’ve got you covered with more family-friendly tips and ideas to help you make the most of your trip. Check out our full guide to Vienna with kids, explore the best museums in Vienna for kids, or see how we spent 4 days in Vienna with a mix of sights and downtime. Need help choosing a place to stay? Here’s our take on where to stay in Vienna with kids. And if you’re visiting in winter, don’t miss our guide to Vienna in December.