During our trip to Germany last year in 2023, I found myself feeling bored in the first few weeks of our stay. My husband’s mother suggested that we visit an aquarium in Stralsund, Germany which was located about an hour and 30 minutes away from where we were staying. I was excited about the idea and immediately agreed to it.
The aquarium we visited is called Ozeaneum Stralsund. We had some difficulty finding the entrance and ended up walking around the building before finally reaching a glass entrance area. Inside, we saw a large Christmas tree, a staircase, and several children. We paid around 14 euros per person due to our age and then went to the bathroom before starting our tour. I noticed that there were lockers available for storing our belongings, but it would require payment. We could have also hung our coats with the others, but there was no space due to a group of children on a field trip. As a result, we had to walk around wearing our jackets.
We began our experience by ascending the stairs and entering the first exhibit that caught our attention. For those concerned about a language barrier, rest assured that much of the information is available in English. Each section of the exhibit contained numerous interactive educational boards and activities. While I cannot recall the exact order we followed, there are a total of seven sections to explore. These include the World Ocean Exhibition, followed by the Baltic Sea exhibits, an exhibit on the exploration and uses of the sea, a North Sea aquarium, an area designed for children with a penguin exhibit, and finally, the Giants of the Sea Exhibition.
My favorite section of the aquarium is the North Sea exhibition, which features jellyfish and fish from the North Sea. The jellyfish tanks are particularly beautiful to watch, especially the large aquarium tank which has a piece of a ship inside. It’s even more spectacular to watch in the dark. Additionally, to see the penguins, you need to go to the roof, where you can enjoy a close-up view of the penguins and the beautiful city.
After completing our tour, we visited the souvenir shop where I purchased some small gifts for my family. Later, we had lunch at the cafeteria which offered a buffet and also the option to order from the chefs. Though I can’t recall what I ordered, I do remember it being quite filling. Adjacent to the cafeteria, close to the restrooms, there was a miniature model of the Ozeanum which was fascinating to see. Finally, before departing, we made sure to use the restroom as there are no free restrooms in Germany. Overall, it was a wonderful day.
That concludes our day trip to Stralsund Ozeanum. In my opinion, it was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend it if you are in the area and looking for ideas on what to do. The experience is great for all ages, from children to adults. It’s educational, especially if you take the time to stop at each section and read everything. Additionally, it’s visually appealing and easily understandable, as there is an audio guide available in English, and the information in each section is translated into English as well as German.
The Real Beth R. 
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