Lotte World Aquarium: The Reality of Its 5,200-Ton Tank and 840 m Viewing Route
Lotte World Aquarium is an urban aquarium that opened in 2014 at Lotte World Mall in Jamsil. Located across the first and second basement levels, it features 13 themed zones and an approximately 840 m viewing route. This guide covers operating hours, admission fees, parking, movement between floors, and the level of crowding frequently mentioned in reviews, so first-time international visitors can use it right away.
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Why an Aquarium Opened Beneath Lotte World Mall in 2014
Lotte World Aquarium opened in October 2014 at Lotte World Mall in Jamsil, Seoul. Because it uses the entire first and second basement levels of Lotte World Mall’s Entertainment Building in a multi-level layout, “B1” in the address refers to the entrance level; the entire viewing area is not confined to a single floor.
Its total floor area is 11,240㎡, and at opening it displayed 650 species and approximately 55,000 marine animals in tanks holding about 5,200 tons of water. It is therefore more accurate to think of it as a long indoor viewing facility rather than a small exhibition hall inside a shopping mall.
13 Zones Stretching from Korean Rivers to the Polar Regions
At opening, the viewing area was divided into 13 themed zones. The layout progressed through Korean Rivers, Tropical Rivers, the Amazon River, Sea Lions, The Ocean, and the Beluga Zone, continuing to the Coral Reef Garden and Play Ocean.
The later sections included the Marine Gallery, Jellyfish Gallery, Ocean Tunnel, Sardine Zone, and Polar Regions Zone. The exhibition order and animals on display may vary by period, so rather than assuming that a particular animal will definitely be visible, plan according to the day’s notices on the official website.
What You Can See in the 25 m Main Tank and 85 m Underwater Tunnel
The most prominent visual landmarks are the 25 m-wide main tank and the approximately 85 m-long underwater tunnel. Since the entire viewing route has been described as approximately 840 m, this is not a facility where visitors see only one or two tanks before leaving.
At opening, the beluga tank held 1,224 tons, making it more than twice the 600-ton standard of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. The aquarium also introduced belugas that were continuously exhibited for the first time at a domestic aquarium, as well as nurse sharks measuring over 2 m. Reviews also mentioned otters, penguins, crocodiles, seals, and rays among the animals visitors could see.
Its Current Role as a Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Conservation Institution
This is not a space intended solely for exhibitions. Lotte World Aquarium is an ex situ conservation institution designated by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, carrying out conservation and propagation work for marine animals that are difficult to conserve within their natural habitats.
For this reason, even if treatment areas and an octopus cultivation area are introduced in explanatory materials, visitors are not allowed to enter the interior. Reviews also record that these areas can be seen but not entered, so visitors should not expect the management areas beyond glass walls or information boards to function like ordinary exhibition spaces.
It Starts at 10:00 on Weekdays, but Hours Vary by Date
The general hours shown in the official information are 10:00–20:00 from Monday through Thursday and 10:00–22:00 on Fridays, weekends, and public holidays. Ticket sales and admission close one hour before the end of business, and the official information states that the aquarium is open year-round.
Operating hours may change at any time due to company circumstances, so visitors should plan based on the calendar for their specific visit date. A search result shown in 2026 also listed 10:00–20:00 on weekdays and 10:00–22:00 on weekends and public holidays, but if you arrive late in the evening, calculate the admission cutoff time first. The main telephone number is 1661-2000, and the official website is https://aquarium.lotteworld.com/.
Admission Fee of 35,000 Won, with the Age-13 Threshold
According to search results shown in 2026, a standard ticket costs 35,000 won for adults aged 13 and over and 31,000 won for children under 12. Children under 36 months are listed as free under the standard-ticket policy, so confirm a child’s age criteria before purchasing tickets.
At opening, eight hands-on and educational programs were introduced. In “First Steps into the Sea,” participants made marine-life badges, while in “Jellyfish Club,” they could observe jellyfish under a microscope or listen to explanations about their life cycles. However, the 10,000-won One-Day Aquarist Experience and 15,000-won Junior Doctor program prices were opening-period prices and should not be treated as current fees.
How to Find the Lotte World Mall B1 Entrance from Jamsil Station
The address is Lotte World Mall B1, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul. It is located on the first basement level of Lotte World Mall near Jamsil Station on the Seoul Subway, but the station exit number, bus route numbers, and walking time from the station to the entrance were not confirmed in this guide. First-time visitors should search a map app for both the facility name and “Lotte World Mall B1.”
The entrance is on the first basement level, but the viewing area spans the first and second basement levels. Reviews stated that signs along the route indicated that visitors could use an elevator exclusively for strollers and people with mobility needs instead of an escalator, and the official information says that entrance staff can provide an alternative route for avoiding escalators if asked.
Where the 1.5-Hour and 3-Hour Itineraries Diverge
Reviews include both accounts of total viewing times of approximately one to one and a half hours and accounts of approximately three hours. The shorter time is possible if you move quickly through all the zones, while spending longer at the underwater tunnel and animal descriptions, and moving at a pace that avoids family crowds, can extend the visit to three hours.
Reviews repeatedly say that weekends and public holidays are much more crowded than weekdays, and some visitors felt that the route could become complicated because of the large number of families. Reviews mentioned an indoor café midway through the visit, a stamp tour, and 3,000 won for feeding carp with a baby bottle, but all of these details may vary depending on the date of the visit.
What Families Using Strollers or a Nursing Room Should Know
Wheelchairs can be rented free of charge, but the number available is limited. The B1F Nature Zone has an accessible restroom, and reviews recorded that the nursing room and diaper-changing table were kept clean during the visit.
Some reviews also mention that the nursing room had a water purifier and a microwave for warming baby food. However, this guide could not confirm whether strollers are available for rent, whether strollers can access the entire route, whether photography is prohibited, whether payment is cash-only, or whether English information and an audioguide are available. Visitors should therefore not assume that these services are guaranteed.
Lotte World Mall Parking: 4,800 Won for Four Hours with the Discount
If you are traveling by car, you can use the Lotte World Mall parking garage. Aquarium visitors on the day of their visit receive a discounted rate of up to four hours for 4,800 won; regular parking fees apply to any time beyond four hours.
A parking discount voucher or discount barcode registration may be required. Since reported viewing times range from one to one and a half hours to approximately three hours, it is a good idea to calculate in advance whether you will add shopping or a meal within the parking discount limit.
Who It Suits—and Which Expectations It Does Not
It is suitable for first-time visitors to Seoul who want to compare Korean rivers, the Amazon River, coral reefs, jellyfish, sardines, and the polar regions indoors in one visit. With clearly defined spaces such as the 25 m main tank and 85 m underwater tunnel, it is also easy to plan a route on rainy days.
Conversely, visitors seeking a quiet experience, hands-on access to internal management areas, or guaranteed current operation of a particular program should lower their expectations. Entry to the internal treatment and cultivation areas is restricted, reviews mention weekend crowds and complicated routes, and operating hours, admission fees, and programs may change. Before visiting, confirm same-day information on the official website or by calling 1661-2000.
Before You Go
- Address
- Lotte World Mall B1, 300 Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
- Hours
- Hours may vary by visit date. Generally 10:00–20:00 Monday–Thursday and 10:00–22:00 on Fridays, weekends, and public holidays. Ticket sales and admission close one hour before the end of business. Reconfirm the date on the official operating-hours calendar before visiting.
- Closed
- Listed as open year-round. Operating hours and closure status must be reconfirmed for the visit date.
- Admission
- Adults aged 13 and over: 35,000 won / children under 12: 31,000 won / under 36 months: listed as free in search results.
- Phone
- 1661-2000
- Official site
- https://aquarium.lotteworld.com/
- Transport
- Confirmed to be on the first basement level of Lotte World Mall near Jamsil Station on the Seoul Subway, but the station exit number, bus routes, and walking time were not confirmed.
- Parking
- The Lotte World Mall parking garage is available. Aquarium visitors on the day of their visit receive a discounted rate of up to four hours for 4,800 won; regular parking fees apply to time beyond four hours. A parking discount voucher or discount barcode registration may be required.
- Time needed
- Approximately one to one and a half hours or approximately three hours, based on reviews.
- Accessibility
- Wheelchairs are available for free rental, subject to limited availability. Ask staff at the entrance for an alternative route that avoids escalators. An accessible restroom is available in the B1F Nature Zone. The official page did not confirm stroller rental or full-route stroller accessibility.
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 3
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1
Seoul SkyAn observation deck at the top of Lotte World Tower offering panoramic views of Seoul. -
2
Seokchon LakeA park where you can enjoy the cityscape while walking along the lakeside trail. -
3
Food & Dining 3
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4
Gordon Ramsay Burger Lotte World MallA restaurant where you can enjoy Gordon Ramsay’s signature handcrafted burgers. -
5
D Lifestyle Kitchen Lotte World Mall BranchA place to enjoy Mediterranean-style Western dishes such as steak and pasta. -
6
Haemok Lotte World Mall BranchA restaurant serving Nagoya-style eel rice bowls and seafood rice bowls.
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