Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Barcelona Aquarium

The Barcelona Aquarium is one of the city's main attractions. Every tenth tourist visiting Barcelona visits the Aquarium during their trip. In addition, the Aquarium is a favourite place for many local families, especially those with kids. In the 45 aquariums, around eleven thousand specimens from over 450 species coexist, making it an excellent place to discover the diversity of marine life in the Mediterranean and outside and why protecting and conserving the ecosystem is so important. Visitors dive deeper and deeper into the sea waters while walking through the exhibits, starting from the Mediterranean surface and reaching the very floor of the sea with its weird yet incredible creatures.

Top Must-See Attractions at Barcelona Aquarium

The Barcelona Aquarium is a must for those who love nature and enjoy exploring the world around us. Absolutely every exhibit is worth attention, but the ones that you definitely can not miss are:

Sharks: The Oceanarium is home to different species, from the gracious and almost docile Sand Tiger Shark to the sedentary Nurse Shark, which can reach up to 4 meters long and usually rests peacefully at the bottom of the Oceanarium. There are scheduled feeding times when the visitors can observe how the Aquarium's staff feeds the sharks. Those who prefer extreme leisure can book a "Diving with Sharks" session or a "Shark Cage Diving" activity.

Penguins: There is a dedicated exhibit in the Barcelona Aquarium specifically featuring Humboldt Penguins. The exhibit restores the natural environment that these penguins live in, and visitors can watch them from very close through the glass panel. There are no specific interactive activities, but the Penguin exhibit is still considered one of the most solicited in the Barcelona Aquarium.

Underwater Tunnel Experience: The blast of the Barcelona Aquarium is the underwater tunnel. Visitors walk along an 80-meter (262-foot) long path, with sharks, rays, and other sea creatures swimming overhead and on both sides. It feels like walking on the ocean floor while surrounded by the usual marine life.

Interactive Exhibits for Children and Families

Parents travelling with kids know the importance of interactive experiences. Even if the Barcelona Aquarium is a perfect family destination by itself, kids get bored pretty fast without the possibility of interacting with the surrounding world. This is why the Barcelona Aquarium offers different options for those seeking a better family experience. There is an interactive space, puzzles, games, special events, and workshops. Check the calendar for the actual list of the events and book in advance if necessary.

Among the family activities, there are, for instance:

AQUA PROTECTORS Kids have a change to become water protectors, helping to collect waste in the water. There is an interactive space created to show how every member of society can effectively protect marine ecosystems.

MEET THE MONSTERS OF THE SEA This is a guided tour for the whole family, on which kids and adults can meet the real sea monsters and learn what the different fish are afraid of.

SOS OCEANS, THE GAME OF CLUES A game consisting of solving the puzzles, discovering the sea species, and finding out who the monsters of the sea are.

PLANETA AQUA ROOM is an interactive space that will perfectly please to the kids and adults alike. It is the space where the young visitors can explore the underwater world through their senses, discovering the importance of the water on Earth. The room occupies over 4000 m2, and hosts marine and freshwater ecosystems in different climate zones.

EXPLORA! is another interactive space where kids and adults can experience what the submarine captain's job feels like. There are multimedia games that take the visitors back to the time of discoveries and allow them to try on the old-fashioned diving suits and the latest bathyscaphe.

AQUARIST FOR A DAY This activity helps the kids understand how the aquarium works. The kids spend the whole day at the backstage of the aquarium, learning what the marine inhabitants eat, how to care for them, and how this life is similar to the natural aquatic environment. The participants learn how to feed, clean the spaces and take care of the animals. Kids are accompanied by the biologists throughout the activity. At the end of the activity, they receive a certificate of the aquarist. This is a fun way of learning about marine life, caring for the ecosystem, and being responsible.

The main exhibitions

The Barcelona Aquarium comprises

• Mediterranean-themed exhibition, which consists of 16 tanks, each representing a different species. Two aquariums reproduce the two protected zones on the Spanish coast.

• Tropical Seas is an exhibition consisting of seven different aquariums that allows visitors to compare Mediterranean flora and fauna with the Caribbean underwater world.

Something curious

If you are looking for a way to propose to your loved one, the l'Aquàrium de Barcelona offers a great staging. While your partner walks through the underwater tunnel, a scuba diver will show a note saying "Merry me" from the other side of the glass.

Another option is to dive into the shark container and propose to your partner yourself while surrounded by sharks.

If you and your partner are certified in diving, you could propose while both of you diving into the shark tank.

All the options include the entrance, the proposal note, the diving instructor and the glass of champagne to celebrate. The cost is between 300 and 600 euros. Not bad for a lifelong memory, right?

Barcelona Aquarium Opening Hours and Best Visiting Times

Monday to Sunday: The Barcelona Aquarium is open every day of the year, including public holidays and weekends.

The open hours usually are:

• 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays
• 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekends and holidays

Please note, that the opening hours may vary slightly depending on the season, special events, or holidays. Please check the official website when planning your visit.

Tips for an Unforgettable Barcelona Aquarium Experience

• To enhance your experience, try to visit during off-peak hours, early in the morning, or after 4 p.m. Choose weekdays instead of weekends and avoid public holidays if possible.

• Take advantage of the interactive activities. Check if a shark feeding or any other special event is going on, and book in advance if necessary.

• Read the information panels for a more conscious and enriching visit. Learn more about different species and their habitats.

• Plan your day carefully. Keep in mind that there are more than just aquariums in this area. You can also explore the Born area, Port Vell, or the Barceloneta beach.

• Find a dining place nearby. There is a Maremagnum centre right next to the Aquarium. And the Museum of the History of Catalunya, located in Port Vell, also hosts a lovely rooftop restaurant.

Flexible Ticket Options for Barcelona Aquarium

• Skip-the-Line Tickets and E-Tickets The Barcelona Aquarium offers different types of tickets. There are the reserved timed tickets, that are usually cheeper. You can book the skip-the-line tickets using this link.

• In change, the flexitickets cost a lit bit more and are valid for 90 days from the date of purchase.

• Discounts and Group Booking Deals Visitors travelling in groups can also make a profit from the discounts. There are two types of family packs, one containing two adult tickets (from 11 years old) and two child tickets (from 5 to 10 years old). The other is for one adult ticket (from 11 years old) and two children's tickets (from 5 to 10 years old). There is also a deal for a group of friends, which includes four adult tickets (from 11 years old).

How to Get to the Barcelona Aquarium

The Barcelona Aquarium is located in the heart of Barcelona, by the sea, not far from the old city. Depending on your starting point, there are multiple ways to reach the Aquarium.

By Metro The nearest metro stations are Drassanes (Line 3, Green Line, at a 15-minute walk distance), And Jaume I (Line 4, Yellow Line, 10- minute walk distance).

By Bus The bus stop at Moll de la Fusta or Drassanes. Buses that serve this area include: D20 V13 59 120

By Tram Moll de la Fusta (Tram Line T4) is the nearest tram stop. From the tram stop, it’s just a short walk to the Aquarium.

By Train If you’re coming from outside Barcelona, take a train to Estació de França. It is located 15 minutes away by foot from the Aquarium.

By Car Park at the Maremagnum Moll, which is indicated as Indigo Parking at C.C. Maremagnum.