Tropicarium: The Shark Zoo in Budapest

The Tropicarium in Budapest is a unique attraction that offers visitors an immersive experience into the world of tropical and marine life. Located in the Campona Shopping Center in the 22nd district of Budapest, the Tropicarium has been captivating visitors since its opening on May 26, 2000.

Cultural Significance

The Tropicarium in Budapest is not just a popular tourist attraction but also holds significant cultural value for Hungary. As the brainchild of Károly Farkasdi, a Hungarian businessman living in Sweden, the Tropicarium represents a unique concept that was first implemented in Kolmården in 1990 and later brought to Budapest in 2000.

The Tropicarium showcases the rich diversity of freshwater and marine life, including domestic fauna, tropical species, and the incredible variety of sea creatures. Visitors can explore eight halls filled with hundreds of animal species and enjoy exceptional facilities such as the opportunity to touch rays and experience a tropical rain simulation.

The construction of the Tropicarium, which is one of the largest marine aquariums in Central Europe, began in September 1999 and took eight months to complete. The building process involved the installation of hundreds of tons of concrete and iron, as well as state-of-the-art filtration, purification, and IT systems to ensure smooth operation. Most of the decorations were handcrafted by Tropicarium experts, adding to the authenticity and uniqueness of the experience.

The Tropicarium not only serves as an educational resource for visitors to learn about the wonders of aquatic life but also represents Hungary’s commitment to showcasing and preserving the beauty and diversity of the natural world. By bringing this unique concept to Budapest, Károly Farkasdi has contributed to the city’s cultural landscape and provided a memorable experience for both locals and tourists alike.

Provided Services and Programs

The Tropicarium in Budapest offers a wide range of services and facilities to enhance the visitor experience for visitors. One of the main attractions is the guided tours, which are available in both Hungarian and English. These tours provide in-depth information about the various exhibits and the fascinating creatures that call the Tropicarium home. The knowledgeable guides share interesting facts and stories, making the visit both educational and entertaining.

For those celebrating a special occasion, the Tropicarium offers the option to host children’s birthday parties. These three-hour events are tailored for school-aged children and create a unique and memorable atmosphere for the celebration.

The Tropicarium also caters to school groups, providing interactive lessons for 20 to 80 students. These engaging educational programs aim to spread knowledge and raise awareness about the incredible diversity of aquatic life.

In addition to the public areas, the Tropicarium features an event room that can accommodate 80 to 120 people. This space is perfect for corporate events or private functions, and the Tropicarium staff offers full-service planning and execution to ensure a successful and memorable event.

The Tropicarium also features a gift shop, open during the entire visiting hours, where guests can purchase souvenirs and mementos of their visit. A cloakroom is available for visitors’ convenience, particularly useful given the indoor temperature and comfort of the facility.

With its wide array of services and facilities, the Tropicarium in Budapest offers an unforgettable experience for tourists, allowing them to explore and appreciate the wonders of aquatic life in a unique and engaging setting.

Programs for Visitors

The Tropicarium in Budapest offers a range of exciting programs and activities for visitors to enjoy. The Tropicarium offers interactive experiences, such as the ray petting pool, where visitors can touch and feed the rays. In the rainforest section, a tropical rain shower occurs every 15 minutes above the alligator enclosure, adding to the immersive atmosphere.

Visitors can explore various themed areas, such as the Hungarian fauna section, the rainforest with alligators, freshwater and saltwater aquariums, a reptile and insect house, and a coral reef exhibit. One of the main attractions is the 12-meter-long viewing tunnel beneath the shark aquarium, where guests can observe sand tiger sharks and brown reef sharks up close.

The zoo also offers regular feeding sessions for various animals, providing visitors with a chance to witness the animals’ natural behaviors and learn more about their diets. These feedings include snakes on Mondays, dwarf caimans on Tuesdays, monitor lizards on Wednesdays, sharks on Thursdays, and monkeys on Fridays. The feeding times are scheduled throughout the day, giving visitors ample opportunities to catch these educational and entertaining sessions.

Overall, the Tropicarium in Budapest provides a wide array of programs and activities that cater to visitors of all ages and interests. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the animals, interact with them directly, or simply enjoy a unique and immersive experience, the Tropicarium has something to offer.

House Rules

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors and animals, the Tropicarium has established a set of house rules.

Please refrain from touching, feeding, or disturbing the animals, except in designated areas such as the ray petting pool, where you can interact with the animals under the guidance of our staff.
Photography and video recording are allowed for personal use, but please avoid using flash as it may disturb the animals.
For the safety and well-being of our animals, we do not allow balloons, shopping carts, or pets inside the exhibition area.
The Tropicarium is fully accessible for visitors using wheelchairs or strollers.
To maintain a clean and pleasant environment, please dispose of waste in the designated containers.
Smoking is strictly prohibited within the Tropicarium premises.
Once you have left the exhibition area, re-entry is not permitted.
Vending machines offering coffee and soft drinks are available inside the exhibition area for your convenience.
A cloakroom is available for storing your belongings, and its use is recommended due to the indoor temperature. A small fee applies for the cloakroom service.
Guided tours are available in Hungarian and English, but must be booked in advance via email.

The Tropicarium is open every day from 10:00 to 20:00, including public holidays. Last entry is at 19:00. For a truly immersive experience, don’t miss the scheduled animal feedings throughout the week, including snake, alligator, dwarf caiman, monitor lizard, shark, and monkey feedings.

Getting There

The Tropicarium, a captivating attraction for visitors to Budapest, is conveniently located within the Campona Shopping Center in the city’s 22nd district. To reach this fascinating destination, foreign tourists have several options:

Public Transportation

From Budapest’s XI. district, Móricz Zsigmond körtér M, you can take buses 33, 114, 213, or 214 to the Lépcsős utca stop. Bus 150 from Újbuda Központ M and bus 138 from Szent Imre tér in the XXI. district also stop at Lépcsős utca. Additionally, bus 133E from Újpalota, Nyírpalota út in the XV. district provides direct access to the Tropicarium.

Another convenient option is to take a bus to the Campona terminus. From Budapest’s XI. district, Kelenföld railway station M, bus 101E will take you directly to Campona. Bus 113A from Nagytétény, Angeli utca in the XXII. district also serves this terminus. Visitors coming from Budaörs can take bus 287 from Budaörsi lakótelep, while those from Diósd can use bus 13 from Búzavirág utca or buses 13A and 113 from Sashegyi út.

For those who prefer traveling by train, the Budatétény train station is located near Campona, providing easy access to the Tropicarium.

To ensure a smooth journey, it is recommended to consult the exact timetables and travel routes on the BKV (Budapest’s public transportation company) and MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) websites before your visit.

Car

For those driving, the Tropicarium offers ample parking space at the Campona Shopping Center. Visitors can enter the address “1222 Budapest, Nagytétényi út 37-43” into their GPS or navigation app to find the location easily.

Tourists can also opt for a taxi or use ride-sharing apps like Bolt or Uber to reach the Tropicarium. This option provides a convenient and comfortable way to travel directly to the attraction.

Once at the Campona Shopping Center, visitors can follow the signs to the Tropicarium, which is located within the complex. The zoo is open every day from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, including public holidays, making it a perfect destination for a family outing or a day of exploration.

With its easy accessibility and various transportation options, the Tropicarium is a must-visit attraction for anyone looking to discover the wonders of the aquatic world while in Budapest.

Nearby Attractions

In addition to the Tropicarium, the Campona Shopping Center offers a variety of shopping and dining options. Nearby attractions include the Nagytétény Castle Museum, showcasing Hungarian history and art, and the Memento Park, an open-air museum featuring statues from the communist era. The beautiful Hosszúréti-patak (Long Meadow Creek) hiking trail is also within easy reach for those looking to enjoy nature.

Summary

The Tropicarium in Budapest is a must-see attraction for anyone interested in the wonders of tropical and marine life. With its impressive exhibits, engaging programs, and commitment to education and conservation, the Tropicarium offers a truly unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

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