Haus des Meeres is an aquarium and zoo built inside a WWII flak tower in central Vienna, Austria. It’s home to more than 10,000 animals across 11 floors.
This guide was updated in June 2026. The adult ticket is now €23.50, above the €21.90 to €22.90 that several recent guides and social posts still quote. You can book through GetYourGuide to use the Fast Lane and skip the regular queue.
Haus des Meeres quick facts
| Address | Fritz-Grünbaum-Platz 1, 1060 Vienna (Esterházy Park) |
| Opening hours | Daily, 9am–8pm, including most public holidays |
| Admission | Adult €23.50 · Child (6–15) €9.80 · Small child (3–5) €6.50 · Under 3s free |
| Nearest transit | U3 Neubaugasse or U4 Kettenbrückengasse, short walk |
| Typical visit duration | At least 2.5 hours |
Why book Haus des Meeres tickets?
- 🏛️ Inside a WWII flak tower: this striking concrete building has housed marine life since 1957.
- 🎟️ Skip the queue: online tickets use the Fast Lane straight to the entrance gate.
- 🌿 10,000+ animals on 11 floors: sharks, free-roaming monkeys, parrots, and more under one roof.
- 📜 98% wheelchair accessible: a lift reaches almost every floor and terrace.
- 💰 Rooftop views included: the 360° Ocean Sky terrace tops off the visit with a panorama of Vienna.
Haus des Meeres opening hours
The zoo keeps the same hours every day of the year, with only a small change on public holidays.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Sunday | 9am–8pm |
| Public holidays | Usually 9am–8pm |
Ticket office closing time and last entry is 7:30pm. Café Sharky runs from 10am–7pm, and the rooftop 360° Ocean Sky restaurant stays open later, from 8:30am to 11pm.
Five great things to do while you’re in Vienna
- Take a guided bike tour through the Old City and along the Danube.
- Enjoy a classical music concert at St Peter’s Church.
- Taste gruner veltliners and much more on a wine tour through the Weinviertel region.
- See the World Heritage-listed sights of the Wachau Valley on a super-scenic day trip.
- Explore Vienna’s food scene in café’s and markets with an expert guide.
Haus des Meeres ticket prices
Online prices below have risen recently, so don’t rely on older listings when budgeting your visit.
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (online) | €23.50 |
| Child, 6–15 years (online) | €9.80 |
| Small child, 3–5 years (online) | €6.50 |
| Children under 3 | Free |
| Student, pupil (15+), senior, or disabled visitor (counter only, with ID) | €16.50 |
| Adult evening ticket, weekdays from 5:30pm (counter only, day of visit) | €16.00 |
| Weekday annual pass, adult | €55.00 |
| Weekday annual pass, child (3–15) | €25.00 |
Booking through GetYourGuide gets you the online rate and Fast Lane access, which is worth it on weekends and during school holidays when queues build up fast, especially in the morning.
How to get there
By U-Bahn: Take the U3 to Neubaugasse or the U4 to Kettenbrückengasse, both a short walk from the entrance.
By bus: Lines 13A, 14A, and 57A all stop directly at “Haus des Meeres.”
By car: Park at the WIPARK Windmühlgasse garage, where visitors get a reduced rate by scanning their ticket barcode at the payment machine.
Why book the Vienna Pass for sightseeing?
- Free entry to top attractions: Visit dozens of Vienna’s must-see museums, palaces, churches and cultural sites without paying separate admission fees.
- Hop-on hop-off bus included: Use the sightseeing bus service to explore the city at your own pace with panoramic views and easy access to key stops.
- Flexible pass durations: Choose from 1-, 2-, 3- or 6-day options to suit your travel plans and how much you want to see.
- Mobile ticket convenience: Use your pass on your phone with digital entry to attractions — no printing or queuing required.
- Extra savings and discounts: Enjoy special offers at partner tours, restaurants and experiences throughout Vienna.
Parking
There’s no dedicated zoo car park, but the WIPARK Windmühlgasse garage nearby offers a discounted rate for Haus des Meeres visitors and for diners at the rooftop restaurant.
How long to spend at Haus des Meeres
Most visitors spend at least 2.5 hours working through all 11 floors. Families with young children, or anyone stopping for the feeding times, often stay closer to three or four hours.
Accessibility
Haus des Meeres is 98% wheelchair accessible. A lift reaches every floor and the terraces, and the Tropical Area, which spans two levels, can be entered from either side so nothing is missed. The only exceptions are the newer south galleries on levels 1 and 3. Accessible toilets are available on the ground floor and floors 5, 10, and 11. One companion per wheelchair user enters free, though only six wheelchair users are permitted in the building at once for safety.
What to see inside Haus des Meeres
The Surf Reef and shark tanks. Glass domes let visitors walk beneath the water as sharks, rays, and the giant turtle “Puppi” glide past overhead.
The Tropical House. Spanning two floors, this jungle-like space lets monkeys, birds, and turtles roam freely around visitors rather than behind glass.
The Australia loop. Free-flying parrots and budgies share this section, with a protected outdoor-style terrace giving views over the surrounding park.
Croc Park. Crocodiles lurk close to the ground floor exit, visible in part through a glass floor panel near the souvenir shop.
The rooftop terrace and 360° Ocean Sky. The visit ends high above Vienna, with panoramic views and a restaurant occupying the highest rooftop spot in the city centre.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Start at the top | Take the lift to floor 11 first and walk down, avoiding the worst queues and crowd flow. |
| Visit in the afternoon | Mornings, especially on weekends and holidays, draw the longest queues. |
| Leave large prams at home | Strollers aren’t allowed in the Tropical House, Congo aquarium, or Australia loop. |
| Use the Fast Lane | Online tickets let you skip the regular queue and head straight to the gate. |
| Park at WIPARK Windmühlgasse | Show your ticket barcode at the machine for a discounted parking rate. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the zoo wheelchair accessible? | Yes, 98% of it, with a lift to every floor except two newer south galleries. |
| Can I bring my dog? | No, except registered assistance dogs, which still can’t access the free-roaming animal floors. |
| How long should I plan for? | At least 2.5 hours, longer with children or around feeding times. |
| Do children need a ticket? | Children under 3 are free; ages 3 to 15 pay a reduced rate, and under-14s need an accompanying adult. |
| Should I book in advance? | Not essential, but advance booking is recommended for weekends and school holidays. |
Things to do nearby
Mariahilfer Straße, Vienna’s largest shopping street, runs right alongside the zoo.
Naschmarkt is Vienna’s best-known market, about 10 minutes’ walk away, with food stalls and produce.
MuseumsQuartier brings together several of Vienna’s major art museums, roughly 15 minutes’ walk from the zoo.
Spittelberg is a cobbled historic quarter full of restaurants and small shops, about 10 minutes away.
The Secession Building, Vienna’s Art Nouveau exhibition hall, sits 15 to 20 minutes’ walk from the zoo.
What to visit tomorrow
These are other zoos and aquariums in and within easy reach of Vienna.
Schönbrunn Zoo, Vienna. The world’s oldest zoo, set in the grounds of Schönbrunn Palace, in the same city.
Lainzer Tiergarten, Vienna. A large wildlife reserve on the edge of the city, home to wild boar and deer roaming semi-natural woodland.
Bratislava Zoo, Slovakia. A cross-border day trip option, about an hour’s drive from Vienna.
Zoo and Aquazoo Schmiding, near Linz. A combined zoo and aquarium similar in spirit to Haus des Meeres, roughly two hours’ drive away.
More Vienna travel
Other Vienna travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- What to see at the Belvedere Palace in Vienna.
- A practical guide to the House of Music in Vienna.
- What to expect at the Mozarthaus Vienna.
- How to visit the Imperial Apartments and Sisi Museum in Vienna’s Hofburg.
- How to ride the Wiener Riesenrad – the oldest Ferris Wheel in the world.
