Vasco da Gama Aquarium

Aquário Vasco da Gama is one of the oldest aquariums in the world, inaugurated in 1898 in Dafundo, in the parish of Algés, near Lisbon, Portugal. Run by the Portuguese Navy's Cultural Commission, it was established to mark the 400th anniversary of Vasco da Gama's historic sea voyage to India. The aquarium features five rooms with around 90 tanks displaying more than 300 live marine species, ranging from colourful tropical fish such as clownfish to local Atlantic inhabitants including rays and small sharks. A dedicated interactive zone called "Window to the Ocean," housed in the former otter tank, provides a hands-on experience tailored especially for young children. Welcoming around 70,000 visitors each year, the aquarium is a family-friendly destination blending natural history with maritime heritage.