Aquarium Barcelona is said to be the fourth biggest attraction in Barcelona, next to the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and Camp Nou. Let’s take a closer look at it!
Aquarium Barcelona (L’Aquarium de Barcelona) was opened in 1995 and it is still one of the largest attractions of this kind in Europe. 450 species of various animals live here in 35 aquariums (these are about 11,000 specimens in total). The facility is known primarily for the fact that it largely highlights species of the Mediterranean Sea.
Interesting facts about the Aquarium
One of the most interesting solutions applied in the Barcelona Aquarium is an 80-meter long underwater tunnel. A similar one can also be found in the Valencia Oceanarium, but the main difference lies in the way of using this part of the aquarium.
While in Valencia we use the strength of our own legs, in Barcelona we can also use the “moving walkway” leading us through the tunnel. This is truly an unusual solution, although I have mixed feelings about its actual usefulness… On the other hand, it allows to avoid crowds in the tunnel, which could be a problem, especially in the high season.
Attractions in L’Aquarium de Barcelona
The moving walkway is not the only attraction at L’Aquarium. As in many other aquariums in Spain, there are a few additional ways for tourists to make their visit to the aquarium even more exciting.
The first is the possibility of diving with sharks. It is not the largest sharkarium in Spain, but the capacity of 3.7 million liters of water, sharks and thousands of other fish swimming around can still give you the creeps! Such an unusual way of watching these predators, in addition to a good shot of adrenaline, also gives you an opportunity to take photos or record a video from a very close distance.
If you do not have much experience in diving, and you cannot say that you are buddies with sharks, you can also choose the option of cage diving. Such a cover will effectively prevent close contact with these animals, making you feel safer.
Especially for children aged 8-12, the Barcelona Oceanarium prepares cyclic “Shark Night” events. This unusual experience gives the youngest the opportunity to spend the night surrounded by over 8,000 fish and sea creatures, including, of course, sharks. Children can see for themselves what their activity looks like at dusk and how the ocean comes to life in the morning.
Practical information
- If you want to visit the Aquarium, it is best to buy your tickets in advance. You will then avoid standing in a long queue and avoid the risk that all tickets have been sold out.
- Opening hours: daily from 10 AM to 7:30 PM or longer (depending on the month)
- Address: del Port Vell, Moll d’Espanya, s/n, 08039 Barcelona, Spain
- Buy Tickets on GetYourGuide
Aquarium Barcelona on a map
Discover Catalonia
Each region of Spain is divided into provinces. Their names often coincide with the names of their main cities. Catalonia is divided into four provinces, each of which has different tourist attractions and interesting places to offer:| Province | Tourist attractions and interesting places |
| Barcelona | Gothic Quarter Barri Gòtic, La Rambla, Montjuïc, cable railway Telefèric de Montjuïc, Magic Fountains (Font Màgica), La Boqueria, Laberint d’Horta Park, Poble Espanyol, Camp Nou, Torre Agbar, oceanarium in Barcelona, Barcelona Zoo, Tibidabo Amusement Park, Palace of Catalan Music, National Art Museum of Catalonia, Picasso Museum, Catalan Museum of Archaeology, Miniature Park - Catalunya en Miniatura, MACBA Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona, Generalitat Palace, Basilica of Our Lady of Mercy (La Mercé), Cathedral of Barcelona, remains of the temple of Augustus, Els Quatre Gats Cafe, Erotic Museum, Santa María del Mar Church, Port Vell, Plaça de Catalunya, Parc de la Ciutadella, Parc de Collserola, Casa Amatller, Palau Güell, Passeig de Gràcia - luxury street in Barcelona, Montserrat Monastery. Barcelona's neighborhoods and districts (El Raval, El Born, Sant Pere, Les Corts). Gaudi's Monuments: Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Milà, Casa Batlló, Pabellones Güell, Bellesguard, Casa Vicens, Casa Calvet. Popular cities: Barcelona, Torrelles de Llobregat, Hospitalet de Llobregat, Tarrasa, Badalona, Sabadell, Mataró, Santa Coloma de Gramanet, San Cugat del Vallés, Cornellá de Llobregat, San Baudilio de Llobregat, Rubí, Manresa, Villanueva y Geltrú, Viladecans, Casteldefels, El Prat de Llobregat, Granollers, Sardañola del Vallés, Mollet del Vallès, Gavá, Sant Antoni de Vilamajor |
| Girona | Salvador Dali Museum, Museum of Miniatures and Microminiatures Micro Mundi, Sausage Museum. Popular cities: Girona, Figueres, Besalú, Blanes, Lloret de Mar, Tossa de Mar, Olot, Salt, Palafrugell, San Felíu de Guixols, Rosas, Bañolas, Palamós, Santa Coloma de Farnés, Castellón de Ampurias Torroella de Montgrí, La Bisbal del Ampurdán, Ripoll, Castillo de Aro, Calonge, La Escala, Cassá de la Selva, Castellfollit de la Roca |
| Lleida | Popular cities: Lleida, Tárrega, Balaguer, Mollerusa, La Seo de Urgel, Cervera, Solsona, Alcarrás, Guisona, Almacellas |
| Tarragona | Amusement and theme parks: PortAventura. Popular cities: Tarragona, Reus, Vendrell, Tortosa, Cambrils, Salou, Valls, Calafell, Amposta, Vilaseca |
