Veröffentlicht von The company Sea Life operates many modern aquariums across Europe. One of them is the Sea Life Centre in the Olympic Park in Munich, which opened its doors in 2006. In the first months after the opening, the aquarium was one of the major new attractions in the Bavarian capital. Long queues often formed in front of the entrance early in the morning. Today, visitor numbers are more moderate, especially on weekdays outside school holidays. Sea Life Munich features around 30 small and large tanks and presents approximately 150 different species of fish and marine animals.
(photos of Sea Life)
As in a zoo, the daily feeding sessions are among the most popular highlights. The exhibition is clearly structured by theme. Visitors begin their tour with freshwater fish from the Isar River, which flows through Munich. The journey then follows the course of the river into the Danube and onward to the Black Sea. Later sections introduce Mediterranean marine life before the exhibition expands into the great oceans of the world: the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Ocean. Sea Life is a commercial enterprise and must cover the high costs of maintaining the complex aquarium systems, the building and the staff through admission fees. Therefore, ticket prices are not particularly low. Nevertheless, a visit remains worthwhile, especially for families and anyone interested in marine life. Online tickets are often available at reduced prices (see below).
Tour through Sea Life Munich
After passing the entrance area, visitors first enter the Isar section. One of the most interesting aquariums follows in the next room: the Danube Delta. Species such as sturgeons (including sterlet), carp, trout, catfish and zander swim in the large basin together with other freshwater fish. Several times a week, informative feeding sessions take place here. Many tanks can be viewed from different angles, allowing visitors to walk around them and observe the animals from all sides.
The next themed area is the Black Sea, presented in a tank with artificial wave simulation. Here you can see perch species, lobsters, bream and other coastal fish. Particularly popular with children is the so-called touch pool, where visitors may carefully place a finger into the water and feel non-toxic sea anemones such as the Purple Rose species.
Our tip: Buy a ticket for Sea Life onlineQueues can still occur at the entrance, especially on weekends and during school holidays. Buying tickets for less than 20 Euro online in advance often allows faster entry and helps avoid waiting times. >>>>>> Click here to buy tickets online |
The tour continues to the large basin themed as a Mediterranean harbour. Here visitors can observe small cat sharks (up to one metre long), rays, turbot and gilthead bream. Another impressive section focuses on shoaling fish, including a large school of dorados swimming together in coordinated movements.
Artificial coral reefs from tropical seas and the Mediterranean follow, where colourful clownfish and surgeonfish can be seen. The absolute highlight of Sea Life Munich is the 10-metre-long underwater tunnel. In this area, visitors walk through a transparent channel surrounded on all sides by the large ocean basin, which holds around 400,000 litres of water. The impression is similar to being underwater in a tropical sea. Among the species here are flame dwarf angelfish, yellow surgeonfish and nurse sharks, which can grow up to three metres long. The basin is also home to Bavaria’s only giant sea turtle.
Please note: Our visit took place some years ago. In the meantime, Sea Life Munich has expanded and regularly introduces new species and themed attractions.
In addition to the aquariums, there is a small cinema inside Sea Life Munich. During our visit, an informative film about sharks and rays was shown.
Information about Sea Life Munich
Opening hours 2026: Daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. On weekends, public holidays and during school holidays, opening hours are extended until 6:00 pm.
Admission 2026: Adults approximately 22 Euro. Online tickets are frequently available at lower prices (see box above).
Our tip: Buy a ticket for Sea Life onlinePre-booking tickets online often saves time and sometimes money. Entry is usually quicker with advance tickets. >>>>>> Click here to buy tickets online |
The staff are generally friendly and willing to answer questions. Sea Life can become crowded on Sundays and during school holidays. If possible, visiting on a weekday is recommended. With a valid day ticket and a hand stamp, visitors may leave and re-enter later, for example to attend a feeding session.
Interesting city tour in Munich: A popular guided tour focuses on the Nazi era and World War II. More information and booking
Photography is allowed without flash. However, lighting conditions are relatively dark in some areas, which can make photography challenging without a good camera.
Directions: Take subway line U3 to Olympiapark. From there it is about a 500-metre walk past BMW World toward the Olympic Tower. Parking spaces are available around the Olympic Park.
Video impressions and information Sea Life Munich
Feeding times (status 2024):
Carp and sturgeon: 13:15 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
Skates: 13:15 (Tuesday, Thursday, weekend)
Crabs, shrimps and anemones: daily at 11:15 and 15:30
Sharks and sea turtle: weekdays at 14:30
Octopus: 13:45 (weekdays), 14:30 (weekends)
Diver in the large ocean basin: weekends at 11:30
Our tip: Sightseeing tour through Munich |
| An efficient way to explore Munich in one or two days is the Hop On / Hop Off bus. These red double-decker buses operate on several routes through the city. You can get off at major sights and continue later with the next bus. Tickets are usually cheaper online. Further information: Click here |
Popular city tour with the Hop On / Hop Off bus: The buses run regularly throughout the day. Visitors can get off at attractions and continue later. This flexible system allows you to see many highlights in a short time. More information and booking