Kids and adults alike will enjoy a break from the historic sights of Munich with a visit to the city’s famous underwater world.
Munich’s Sea Life Aquarium is located within the Olympia Park, a huge complex that was constructed for the 1972 Olympic Games. Opened in 2006, the aquarium now holds more than 4,500 animals in 33 different displays. Visitors can follow the journey of a single drop of water as it makes its way from Munich’s own River Isar to the Danube, and then the Black Sea and beyond. The Sea Life collection ranges over all of these habitats.
Get your hands wet in the interactive rock pool. Here you can touch a number of aquatic creatures, including starfish and sea anemones, and listen to a talk that explains these interesting animals. Another big hit with visitors is feeding time at the Sea Life Aquarium. Take your place to see the green sea turtle Gonzales, a crowd favourite, enjoying a meal. With more than 20 different shark species, the exhibit called Mission Shark has the largest variety of sharks in a German aquarium.
Sea Life is committed to a number of conservation projects, with a particular focus on the preservation of the sea horse. None of the sea horses on display are taken from the natural environment instead, nine different species are being bred at Sea Life. Make sure to see these beautiful, delicate creatures on display. Sea Life also offers a backstage look at the operation of an aquarium, with a tour that addresses elements such as the quarantine station, the wave machine and filters. This 90-minute tour is expensive, and you will need to make a reservation, but it certainly is a unique opportunity to watch an aquarium in action.
The Sea Life Aquarium is open every day, with closing times that vary throughout the year. It is completely accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, and the nearest U-Bahn (subway) stop is 10 minutes away at Olympiazentrum. Parking is available at a fee.
