Haus des Meeres in Vienna: Our Experience of the 11-Storey House of the Sea and a Trip Tip
A trip to Vienna's Haus des Meeres – a former WWII anti-aircraft tower that's now home to more than ten thousand marine and land animals, complete with a glass tunnel with sharks swimming overhead.
This time we headed to Vienna, to an incredibly interesting building called Haus des Meeres – House of the Sea. It’s one of the most visited attractions in Vienna, open 365 days a year. The building is mostly made up of marine aquariums and terrariums. We planned this trip especially for my father-in-law, since he’s a passionate keeper of birds and fish and loves animals just as much as I do. 🙂
A concrete tower with a turbulent history
The House of the Sea also has a very unusual history. It was originally a giant concrete anti-aircraft tower called a Flakturm, built during the Second World War. Today, this monumental structure is home to a unique sanctuary for more than ten thousand animals.
Vienna's Haus des Meeres is housed in a former anti-aircraft tower, the Flakturm
The view from the eleventh floor
After paying the admission fee, we took the lift all the way up to the top floor. That’s where, on the eleventh floor, you’ll find the observation terrace. And the view of Vienna from up there was simply gorgeous! There’s also a lovely café and restaurant where you can enjoy a panorama of pretty much the whole city over a good coffee. ☕
The view from the observation terrace on the eleventh floor
A cold floor with a heavy past
Just one floor down, on the tenth floor, we came across a very strange, cold room. It had the raw atmosphere of bare concrete, and a member of staff, I think from security, told us about the tower’s turbulent history, the war, and how this concrete colossus actually came to be. There’s also an interesting historical exhibition there. It felt strange to stand in a place with such a heavy past, knowing that today a completely different, new life pulses all around it.
Birds and monkeys in a tropical jungle
From the tenth floor downwards, a completely immersive world opened up before us. You walk right among the exotic inhabitants and feel as though you’re in a real jungle. On one of the floors, colourful little birds flew freely above our heads through the lush greenery. And on another floor, we watched various monkeys jumping between the tree branches, checking us out from up close. 🐒
Birds, monkeys and reptiles in the tropical pavilion
An underwater world, glowing jellyfish and sharks overhead
As you descend to the lower floors with marine and freshwater aquariums, the atmosphere calms down and thickens into a deep blue. You walk past tanks full of all kinds of fish, from tiny, colourful coral-reef fish to mysterious sea creatures. The tanks with glowing jellyfish were amazing too – they looked like creatures from a completely different planet.
A coral reef, sharks, rays and large fish
All this beauty in the lower floors is then crowned by a glass tunnel. You walk right through a giant aquarium, so huge fish, rays and sharks swim right above your head and all around you. 🦈
Glowing jellyfish and the glass tunnel with sharks
Facilities and impressions
Of course, there’s also great facilities here – clean toilets and snack bars where you can rest and grab a bite, because going through all eleven floors really does take a lot of time. And there’s a souvenir shop by the exit too.
We spent several unforgettable hours at Haus des Meeres, and every moment was worth it. You do hope and believe that the animals there are well looked after. 🙂
This was a fantastic experience that will delight pretty much every nature lover.
Have you already been to Haus des Meeres, or are you planning a visit? 🙂
Good to know
Are there sharks at Haus des Meeres in Vienna?
Yes. On the lower floors, a glass tunnel runs right through a giant aquarium, so sharks, rays and big fish swim above your head and all around you.
How much is a ticket to Haus des Meeres?
An online ticket costs €23.50 for adults, €9.80 for children aged 6–15 and €6.50 for children aged 3–5. Children under 3 get in for free. With an online ticket you also skip the queue. Prices can change, so check the current ones on haus-des-meeres.at.
What are the opening hours of Haus des Meeres?
It is open 365 days a year, every day from 9 am to 8 pm, with last entry at 7:30 pm. It is one of the most visited attractions in Vienna.
What can you see at Haus des Meeres?
More than ten thousand animals in aquariums and terrariums. There is a floor with a tropical jungle where birds fly freely overhead and little monkeys jump between the branches, plus glowing jellyfish, coral fish and both sea and freshwater fish.
Is Haus des Meeres good for kids?
Definitely. Sharks overhead in the tunnel, little monkeys, freely flying birds and glowing jellyfish will delight both kids and adults.
Is there a view of Vienna from Haus des Meeres?
Yes. On the top, eleventh floor there is an observation terrace with a wonderful view of Vienna, and a cafe with a restaurant.
Why is Haus des Meeres in a concrete tower?
The building was originally a World War II flak tower, an anti-aircraft tower. On the tenth floor there is a historical exhibition about how the tower came to be.
How long does a visit to Haus des Meeres take?
Plan for several hours, as walking through all eleven floors really takes a lot of time. We spent several unforgettable hours there.
Are there snacks and toilets at Haus des Meeres?
Yes, there are snack bars for a rest and refreshments, clean toilets and a souvenir shop by the exit.
How do you get to Haus des Meeres by public transport?
We were staying in Vienna, so we took public transport. The Haus des Meeres bus stop (lines 13A, 14A and 57A) is practically right next to the building, and the U3 Neubaugasse metro station is close by too.
