Attractions for children in Lisbon area – Flúviario de Mora, Alentejo

While almost every tourist in Lisbon has heard of or visited Oceanário, the great aquarium located in the Expo are of Portuguese capital, a similar attraction is still largely unknown to foreign visitors in Portugal.

Off the beaten tourist paths, ‘hidden’ in Upper Alentejo, Fluviário of Mora may be well worth a 1,5 hour drive from Lisbon for any parent looking for fun activities for kids.

The secret life of a river – fun for kids of all ages
Fluviário is a complex of fresh water aquariums featuring different forms of river life.

Visit the website of Fluviário of Mora (available in Portuguese only).

Amongst a lot of different species of fish at Fluviario, the fearsome piranhas have their own tank:

In a number of carefully reconstructed close to natural habitats the visitors can see up close numerous animal and vegetal species: fish, reptiles, amphibian and also water plants and bacteria (to be seen with the help of a microscope).

The largest part of the Fluviário exposition focuses on the species natural to Portugal and Europe. In the fish kingdom carps, sturgeons, eels and rays are the featured species.

However, one of the world’s largest rivers, the Amazon, has not been forgotten in the Mora Flúviario. In a dedicated section examples of exotic river species can be seen. The youngest visitors will surely be impressed by the piranhas tank and by the giant anacondas.

See some of the species of Fluviário de Mora:

Feed the otters, pet the rays – interactive activities for children
One of the most visible species of the Flúviario is actually a mammal.

In the outdoor area, the river otters can be seen playing, sleeping (mostly sleeping throughout the day, truth to be told), swimming and feeding. Twice a day the otters are fed in front of the public, offering a delightful view, especially for children. Do not expect however an amusement park-type of a show with live animals. The Flúviario has a strong educational and scientific mission, aiming at sharing the knowledge about different river ecosystems and giving e special emphasis the environmental awareness. The animals of the Fluviário are greatly respected, not unapproachable though.

Unlike in the Lisbon Oceanário, where the species can only be seen through a thick glass wall, in the Alentejo Flúviario, much smaller in dimensions the contact with the animals is actually much easier. The inhabitants of the relatively shallow aquariums can be observed through the glass, as well as from above. Friendly and helpful staff, when consider it appropriate and unstressful for the animals, will allow interaction with different species. Rays and starfish can be fed, touched and even pick-up from the water!

Children’s corner in the Fluviário
It takes about an hour to see the Fluviário, provided that your child does not refuse to leave, staring hypnotized at the impressive piranha tank, or the electric eel.

However, if you enjoy the shady, peaceful indoors of the Fluviário, it is easily possible to spent much more time there, without getting bored, or getting your youngest ones impatient. The younger children will surely enjoy the children’s corner of the Fluviário, which is actually a large room filled creative activities for different ages. Paints, crayons, clay, play dough are available here to give wings to children’s imagination in individual activities or supervised by the very friendly staff. Children can also play games revolving around river environment.

The adults and the older kids can take a pleasant break in the multimedia area, where documentaries about river fauna and flora are displayed.

Last but not least, a cafeteria serving light snacks, as well as a gift shop are at the Fluviário visitors disposal.

If you would like to try some of the delicious, hearty cuisine of Alentejo, it is best to try the local restaurants in Mora, as for example the award-winning Restaurante Afonso (website available in Portuguese only) in the very centre of the town of Mora.

Please, keep in mind, that typically for Alentejo, outside of the lunch and dinner hours, restaurants are not serving meals. Do plan your day in Fluviário and Mora accordingly.

Fluviário de Mora – how to get to Mora from Lisbon
The Fluviário, ever since its inauguration in 2007, has been very popular within the local population, attracting young visitors from all over the country, on family outings or on school trips.

Not so many foreign tourists in Portugal, however, venture out to Alentejo to see this unique attraction, probably fearing long distance. There is no need for that as the trip from Lisbon is fairly easy and beautiful landscapes of Alentejo offer some of the most pleasurable driving experiences in Portugal.

The Flúviario is located outside of the town of Mora, in the district of Évora in Upper Alentejo.

See general map of Évora district.

The distance from Lisbon to Mora is approximately 110 km (68 miles), and can be comfortably covered in 1,5 hour time, provided that you avoid the rush hour while leaving Lisbon and stick to the motorways and main roads.

In order to head off to Upper Alentejo, east of Lisbon, you can use either of the two Lisbon bridges, depending on your location in Lisboa. Taking the Vasco da Gama bridge may be, however, the quickest solution as it will give you the access to the national road N251 leading directly to Mora.

Once you’ve crossed the bridge, take the Exit 3 to IC3/Alcochete/Porto Alto. Continue for about 5 km on the IC3/A33 road and leave to your right in direction of IC3/N119. Having past Corouche, take the N251 to Mora.

On your arrival to Mora you can either drive through the town centre or bypass it following the signs to the Flúviario. It is only a short drive, approx. 6 km northeast from Mora town to the Fluviário.

Opening times and prices – Fluviário de Mora useful information
The Mora Fluviário is open all year, from 10 am to 7 pm in the summer time and from 10 am to 5 pm in the winter season.

The entrance to Fluviário is free for children up to 2 years of age. Children between 3 and 12 pay EUR 4.90 and older children and adults, from 13 till 64 years of age pay EUR 7.20. The discount price for seniors – EUR 5.20 (prices summer 2013).

Find more about the price of guided tours of Fluviário here. (information in Portuguese only)

Tree adventure park and a picnic by the river – a day trip to Mora
Just a few steps from the Fluviário, another attraction awaits visitors to Mora.

A tree adventure park, o Parque de Arborismo in Portuguese is a large area where children can test their agility and spend some energy moving between the trees with the help of a harness and an extensive system of ropes. There are different, age-adapted circuits for climbing, sliding on wires and swinging. Fun guaranteed for children of all ages, for a very affordable price and under a watchful eye of certified instructors.

The tickets to the tree adventure park cost EUR 2 per person when purchased separately and EUR 1,5 when bought together with the Fluviário ticket.

For amateurs of outdoor fun, the visit to the Mora Fluviário can be a great opportunity to have a nice picnic in the beautiful, peaceful surroundings of Alentejo. The Fluviário is situated within Gameiro Natural Park, by the river Raia, which offers a great infrastructure for tourism, including a fluvial (river) beach, a camping-site, a picnic area, a small bar and a play area for children.

Next to Fluviario is a dam over the river.

An affordable quality café and restaurant is located in the center of Mora, right on the main square. Visit the restaurant from 12.30-15.00 or 19.30-23.00. The cafe-bar is suitable for families too (showcasing maybe the longest bar-desk in Alentejo) and offers a selection of sandwiches, toasts and soups for those who arrive outside restaurant opening hours or just want a snack. Choose between kids-friendly hamburgers and typical Portuguese prego’s (steak sandwich) and bifana’s (pork sandwich). Everything in the cafe is super value for money.

Alentejo at its best – wine and history
The tranquil region of Alentejo, in Portugal hides many surprises for any curious traveller. If you have driven all the way from Lisbon for your children to see an electric eel and a sturgeon, you might as well explore the region a bit better and be surprised by its versatility.

Some of the best Portuguese wines are produced in Upper Alentejo (Bacalhôa, Cartuxa and Esporão, just to mention a few) and wineries are plentiful. On your way from Lisbon to Moura you will drive by several adegas, where you can stop to for a guided visit and wine shopping.

See an example of a Mora winery.

On the cultural front, Alentejo has equally enough to offer. A number of unique historic sites is can be found in a relatively short drive distance from Mora, amongst them the city of Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Arraiolos, known for manufacturing of the traditional, brightly coloured woollen carpets. Find out more about the Arraiolos tapestry.

Distances from Mora – roadtrip in Alentejo, Portugal
If you decide to make Mora your base for discovering the Upper Alentejo, se below the approximate road distances to the places of interest in the area:

• Distance from Mora to Évora: 70 km / 43 miles
• Distance from Mora to Estremoz: 54 km / 33 miles
• Distance from Mora to Arraiolos: 37 km / 23 miles
• Distance from Mora to Ponte de Sôr: 44 km / 27 miles
• Distance from Mora to Montargil Dam: 16 km / 10 miles

History experience in Alentejo luxury hotels – Pousadas de Portugal
Alentejo is popular weekend retreat for Lisboetas, the inhabitants of Lisbon, looking to relax in the rural surrounding.

The choice of accommodation solutions in Alentejo ranges from simple rural guesthouses to luxury hotels, part of the state owned group Pousadas de Portugal. The pousadas are a unique form of accommodation in original historic locations, including old castles, monasteries and manor houses. The pousadas of Portugal are known for an exceptional service, superb cuisine and, unfortunately, rather steep prices. A night in a royal chambers of a medieval castle can easily cost as much as EUR 200 for a double room.

You can find pousadas in Arraiolos, in Evora and in Estremoz.

Testimonial of a young visitor to Fluviário of Mora – Nika, age 10:

Fluviario de Mora is a fun place with lots of fish found in Portuguese rivers. I really liked the ray fish and the trouts but the otters were my favourite. It is really fun to watch them eat and play in their habitat. Inside there is also an arts and crafts room where youngsters can make a collage, a drawing or even a play dough model of their favourite fish. One of the best things I did was a rope course with a zip slide at the end.