Posted by The Barcelona Aquarium by the sea near the city centre is one of the largest and most famous aquariums in the world. Every year more than 1 million people visit the attraction. In total there are more than 30 tanks containing more than 6 million litres of water. The main tank of the Barcelona Aquarium alone contains well over 3 million litres of water.
Tickets for the aquarium for the season 2023 should be bought online beforehand. Often the queues at the cash desks are very long: >>> On this link you can find the tickets on the internet.
Beside fish there are also some other animals to see. Especially the penguins in the Aquarium Barcelona are well known. The main focus is on the Mediterranean Sea, but also many tropical fish and other sea animals can be seen. Many visitors of the aquarium like for example the big Piranhas very well.
Our tip Barcelona local transport tickets: Tickets (day tickets) for the very well-developed local transport system in Barcelona can be bought in advance on this website. Then you don’t have to deal with the Spanish machines or with employees who don’t understand English.
But the absolute highlight in the Aquarium Barcelona is the big tank. In an 80 meter long tunnel, visitors drive through this basin. On the left, on the right and on the top, the fishes can be seen between the glass. In the big aquarium there are also bigger fish like sharks (meter long blue sharks) and rays. An absolutely magnificent attraction! The big tank in the Aquarium Barcelona is called Oceanarium.
Photo by Paul Hermans – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Altogether we found the visit of the aquarium very interesting, probably one of the 4-5 highlights of our Barcelona trip. We found the entrance fee of just over 20 Euro a little high, but it is also one of the best aquariums in the world.
Entrance fees Aquarium Barcelona: The aquarium currently (Januar 2023) costs 25 Euro entrance fee. The price is the same, no matter if you buy the tickets on the spot or before on the internet. Due to the long queues, we strongly recommend to buy the tickets for the Aquarium Barcelona online beforehand. We even waited for half an hour on a Wednesday in November. In the season the waiting lines should be much longer.
>>> On this link you can find the tickets on the internet
Opening hours Aquarium Barcelona 2023: The Aquarium is open every day of the week. It opens at 10 a.m. all year round. Depending on the season and day of the week, the largest aquarium in Spain closes between 7:30 pm and 9 pm.
Approach Aquarium Barcelona 2023: The aquarium was built in the city centre in the sea (in the 90s). At the end of the world-famous pedestrian zone of Barcelona La Rambla one goes over a pedestrian bridge to the aquarium. With the car, one will have big difficulties to find a parking place nearby. Drassanes (line 3) and Barceloneta (line 4) are close to the subway station of the Metro Barcelona.
Other visitor information: There is a restaurant and drinks from the vending machine in the Aquarium of Barcelona. But especially the drinks are quite expensive, a Coke about 3,50 Euro. It is better to bring something to drink yourself if you want to stay longer. The toilets are ok. At the exit there is a big shop with souvenirs about aquariums and Barcelona in general. Next to the aquarium there is a big shopping centre with many shops and gastronomy, also McDonalds etc..
Tickets for the aquarium should be bought online beforehand. Often the queues at the cash desks are very long: >>> On this link you can find the tickets on the internet.
More info Barcelona Aquarium
The Barcelona Aquarium is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona, Spain. Located in the Port Vell district of the city, the aquarium displays a wide variety of marine life from around the world. With over 11,000 animals from more than 450 species, it is one of the largest aquariums in Europe.
Visitors to the Barcelona Aquarium will find a variety of displays and exhibits highlighting the diversity of marine life. Here are some things to keep in mind when visiting the aquarium :
Oceanarium :
The Oceanarium is the Aquarium’s largest exhibit and includes a huge 80-metre-long underwater tunnel. Visitors can walk through the tunnels and experience panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea with swimming sharks, rays and other sea creatures.
Mediterranean Aquarium :
This exhibition is dedicated to opening up the underwater world of the Mediterranean. Visitors can explore the rocky shores and underwater caves of the Mediterranean and see animals such as octopus, eels and seahorses.
Tropical Aquariums :
Tropical aquariums house a variety of tropical marine life, including colourful fish, jellyfish and coral reefs. Visitors can also see exotic animals such as piranhas and poison dart frogs. Planeta Aqua :
Planeta Aqua is an interactive exhibition that explores the relationship between humans and the sea. Visitors can learn more about the importance of protecting marine life and how human activities affect the ocean.
Tactile tanks:
The aquarium has several touch tanks where visitors can get close to specific animals. Under the supervision of qualified staff, visitors can touch starfish, sea urchins and other marine animals.
Shark Cage:
For the bravest, the aquarium offers a unique opportunity to see sharks up close. Visitors can climb into a shark cage and descend into the oceanarium to watch the sharks swim.
Our tip Barcelona local transport tickets: Tickets (day tickets) for the very well-developed local transport system in Barcelona can be bought in advance on this website. Then you don’t have to deal with the Spanish machines or with employees who don’t understand English.
In addition to the exhibitions, the Barcelona Aquarium also offers various educational programmes and activities. Visitors can attend lectures and presentations by marine biologists, participate in feeding demonstrations and even go behind the scenes to get a glimpse of what goes on behind the aquarium walls.
When planning your visit to the Barcelona Aquarium, keep in mind that it can be very busy, especially during the high tourist season. To avoid long queues and crowds, we recommend booking your tickets in advance and arriving early in the day.
Tickets for the aquarium should be bought online beforehand. Often the queues at the cash desks are very long: >>> On this link you can find the tickets on the internet.
Barcelona Aquarium: List of animals (not complete)
The Barcelona Aquarium houses more than 11 000 animals of over 450 different species from all over the world. Here is a list of the animals you can see at the aquarium :
Sharks – The aquarium’s oceanarium houses several species of sharks, including grey sharks, reef sharks and nurse sharks.
Rays – Visitors can see different species of rays such as stingrays and eagle rays by swimming over them in the tunnels of the oceanarium.
Sea turtles – The aquarium has several species of sea turtles, including hawksbill and green sea turtles.
Fish – The aquariums house countless species of fish, including groupers, moray eels, clownfish and seahorses.
Squid – Visitors can watch the squid change colour and texture to blend in with its surroundings.
Jellyfish – The aquarium features special exhibitions showing different species of jellyfish, including the Moon Jellyfish and the Pacific Nettle Jellyfish.
Coral Reef – The aquarium features an animated coral reef exhibit with colourful fish, sea anemones and other invertebrates.
Dendrobates – The tropical aquarium displays feature different species of poison dart frogs, known for their bright colours and poisonous skin.
Piranhas – Visitors can see piranhas swimming together in large schools.
Crustaceans – The aquarium houses several species of crustaceans, including hermit crabs and crayfish.
These are just a few examples of the many different types of animals you can see at the Barcelona Aquarium. Because it houses a wide variety of marine life, visitors will discover something new and fascinating every time they visit.
Other very large aquariums in Europe include the Aquarium in Genoa (Italy) and the Aquarium in Valencia (Spain).
Barcelona Aquarium: Sharks
The Barcelona Aquarium is home to several species of sharks, making it a popular destination for shark fans and anyone interested in learning more about these fascinating creatures. Here you can find out more about the sharks you will see at the aquarium and some tips on how to make the most of your visit.
Shark species at the Barcelona Aquarium
Sand tiger sharks:
These large, full-toothed sharks can be seen in marine aquariums, swimming gracefully through the water. Despite their intimidating appearance, sand tiger sharks are actually very tame and rarely pose a threat to humans.
Tickets for the aquarium should be bought online beforehand. Often the queues at the cash desks are very long: >>> On this link you can find the tickets on the internet.
Blacktip reef sharks:
Blacktip reef sharks, which are also found in marine aquariums, are known for their distinctive black fins. They tend to stay in shallow waters and are rather shy towards humans.
Nurse sharks:
Found in marine aquariums, these bottom sharks are known for their tame nature. Visitors can watch them resting on the seabed or swimming calmly in the water.
Horn sharks:
These small, harmless sharks are on display at the Mediterranean Aquarium. They are known for their unique horns over their eyes and their ability to blend in with their surroundings.
Tips for visitors: Sharks at the Barcelona Aquarium
Watching them feed :
One of the best times to see sharks in action is at feeding time. Visitors can watch the sharks devour their meals and the aquarium staff are often on hand to answer questions and provide information about shark behaviour and diet.
Attend a conference:
The Aquarium hosts lectures and presentations on a variety of topics, including sharks. These talks provide an opportunity to learn more about the biology and behaviour of these fascinating creatures.
Enter the shark cage :
For the adventurous, the aquarium offers a unique experience where visitors can climb into a shark cage and descend into the marine aquarium to watch the sharks swim.
Learn more about shark conservation:
Sharks are an important part of the marine ecosystem and many species are threatened by overfishing and habitat destruction. Visitors learn about the importance of shark conservation and what can be done to protect these animals.