What would your kids say if a shark glided right over their heads? Here they can find out, standing in a glass tunnel under 3.5 million litres of seawater.
Palma Aquarium is the biggest rainy-day plan in Mallorca, and on a sunny day it’s still one of the best family days out on the island. It opened in 2007 on Playa de Palma, about 500 metres from the beach, and it holds around 8,000 animals from roughly 700 species in 55 tanks. More than 400,000 visitors come every year, many of them families staying in the resorts along the bay.
In this article you’ll find what to see inside, from the Mediterranean Sea to the tropical seas and the Big Blue shark tank, plus the best areas for children, the opening times, how to get there and where to stay nearby. If you’re spending a few days in the capital, our guide to Palma de Mallorca has plenty of ideas for the rest of your trip.
💰 Aparthotel Fontanellas Playa - a family aparthotel by the beach, about 600 metres from the aquarium.
🏨 BG Java - a four-star hotel in Can Pastilla, five minutes on foot from the aquarium.
💎 Hipotels Playa de Palma Palace - a five-star hotel with a spa on Playa de Palma.
Where is Palma Aquarium?
Palma Aquarium is in the Can Pastilla part of Playa de Palma, on the east side of the Bay of Palma. It stands on Calle Manuela de los Herreros, opposite Balneario 14 on the beach promenade, and only a short drive from Palma de Mallorca airport. The centre of Palma is about 10 minutes away by car.
The location makes it an easy half day out if you’re staying anywhere on the bay, from Can Pastilla to El Arenal. It’s also close to Aqualand El Arenal, so families staying for a week often do both.
Explore Palma Aquarium - The route inside
The indoor route is around 900 metres long and leads you through a series of habitats, each representing a different part of the underwater world. You start in the Mediterranean, continue through the tropical seas and finish at the Big Blue, with outdoor gardens and play areas to explore afterwards. The route is pram-friendly, with wide paths and ramps.
The Mediterranean Sea
The first tanks show the sea right outside the door. The Mediterranean Sea is a closed body of water, and the displays explain how its marine species adapted to life there. Look out for octopus, moray eels, groupers and seahorses among the posidonia seagrass.
The tropical seas
The tropical seas section is where the colour really starts. Its coral reef tanks represent the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and the aquarium has one of Europe’s largest collections of live coral. Kids usually spot the clownfish first, followed by lionfish and pufferfish. The coral isn’t just for show: the aquarium breeds new coral colonies as part of its conservation work.
The Medusarium and the Whales exhibition
The Medusarium is the jellyfish area, a calm, dark space where each jellyfish tank glows with soft light. It’s a good place for a quiet minute with smaller children. Nearby, the Whales exhibition explains how whales migrate, feed and care for their calves, and how recordings of whale songs helped to start the movement to protect them.
The Big Blue shark tank
The Big Blue is the star of Palma Aquarium. It’s 8.5 metres deep, 33 metres long and 25 metres wide, and it holds 3.5 million litres of salt water, which makes it one of the deepest shark tanks in Europe. You can watch it through large windows and from a transparent tunnel, where sharks and rays swim right over your head.
The main residents are sand tiger sharks and sandbar sharks, along with common stingrays, dusky groupers, amberjacks and more than 1,000 other fish. Divers feed the animals every day, and the feeding times are posted at the entrance. For a view from above, the Shark Vision boat is a glass-bottomed boat that floats across the top of the tank, sold as an extra with your ticket.
The Jungle
After all that seawater, the Jungle feels like a different world. It’s a tropical garden with tree ferns, palm trees, orchids and a 7-metre waterfall, and it’s often described as the largest garden of its kind in Spain. Misters keep the air humid, so on a hot day it’s surprisingly pleasant.
Freshwater tanks in the Jungle recreate the rivers of the Amazon jungle, and piranhas are among the residents. It’s also one of the photo points, so don’t be surprised when a photographer asks you to smile.
The Mediterranean gardens
The Mediterranean gardens are a large outdoor area that recreates the Mallorcan landscape, with native plants and open-air pools. In the tanks you’ll find sea turtles, including loggerhead and hawksbill turtles, as well as rays, small sharks and big, colourful koi fish.
This is also where children can let off steam. There’s a play area with a pirate ship, bouncy castles and a water jet fountain, so bring a spare T-shirt in summer for the inevitable water fights. Next to it, the Cantina sells snacks and ice cream.
Palma Aquarium with kids
Palma Aquarium works well for children of almost any age, because it mixes tanks with things to touch, climb and play on. The Toca Toca area is a touch pool where kids can gently feel starfish, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. For bad weather or the hottest hours, Nautilus Park is an indoor children’s park with slides, a ball pool and a volcano to climb, plus a café corner where parents can sit down.
The aquarium also runs exciting activities for older children and adults, booked in advance:
- Diving with sharks - a guided dive in the Big Blue for adults and older children, and you don’t need a diving licence.
- Swimming with rays - snorkelling in the stingray tank, in summer only and for ages 8 and over.
- Shark sleepover - a night in front of the Big Blue for children aged 6 to 16.
- Pirate birthday parties - themed parties with games in the gardens.
Shark dives, VR and other experiences
The marine animals are the main event, but Palma Aquarium offers a few different activities on top of the standard route. The shark dive runs every day of the year with prior booking, and experienced divers provide the equipment and look after your safety. It’s an unforgettable experience for teenagers and adults who feel at home in the water.
If you’d rather stay dry, there are calmer options. The Undersea Explorer is a virtual reality ride in a moving capsule that takes you into the ocean depths, and the Aquadome is a 360-degree 3D cinema with a film about humpback whales. The Backstage Tour goes behind the scenes with the aquarium’s experts and shows some of its Mediterranean conservation projects.
Palma Aquarium opening times
Palma Aquarium is open daily, but the hours change with the season. In the busiest months it usually opens from 9.30am to 6.30pm, with last entry at 5pm. In the quieter months, weekday hours can be as short as 10am to 3.30pm, with last entry at 2pm, while weekends and bank holidays run from 10am to 5.30pm, with last entry at 4pm. The aquarium also closes on a few days a year, so check the calendar before you set off. Allow about three hours for the route, the gardens and the play areas, or a little longer if your kids love the playground.
Best time to visit Palma Aquarium
The quietest time is first thing in the morning, before the tour groups arrive. School holidays and the summer months are busy, and rainy days are the busiest of all, because half the island has the same idea when the beach is off.
April, May and October are a good compromise, with fewer visitors and pleasant weather for the outdoor gardens. Whenever you go, buy online tickets in advance and arrive at opening time. Check the feeding times at the entrance too, because watching the divers feed the sharks is one of the highlights of a visit.
How to get to Palma Aquarium
By bus, EMT lines 23 and 35 stop at the aquarium, and the trip from the centre of Palma takes about 20 minutes. From the airport, it’s only about five minutes by taxi, and EMT line 21 links the airport with Playa de Palma and S’Arenal. If you’re driving, take exit 10 on the Ma-19 motorway. There’s a free car park next to the ticket offices and a public underground car park nearby, where aquarium visitors get a discount.
The aquarium also sells tickets with transport included from resorts all over the island, which is handy if you’re staying in the north or east. Families planning more days out, for example to the caves in Mallorca, may find a hire car easier than buses. From the hotels in Can Pastilla, you can simply walk along the promenade.
Palma Aquarium tickets and offers
A standard ticket covers the whole route, the gardens, Nautilus Park and the play areas. Children under 3 go free, and the child rate covers ages 3 to 12. Balearic residents get a reduced rate, and there are family offers, including a pack with a meal in one of the restaurants.
Extras such as the Shark Vision boat, the VR ride and the shark dive are sold separately, and some tickets include transport from your resort. If you’re staying on the island for a long time, the Ocean Pass gives you unlimited entry all year. Buying online in advance saves time at the ticket offices, especially on rainy days.
Food, the gift shop and facilities
There are several places to eat inside. Mediterra is a self-service buffet, the Jellyfish Rest Bar serves Mediterranean and international dishes, and the Cantina next to the children’s area is the place for snacks and ice cream. Opening hours vary, so plan lunch for the middle of the day.
There’s a gift shop for souvenirs, and there are lockers for suitcases, which is useful on your first or last day in Mallorca.
Palma Aquarium or Marineland?
The two are very different days out. Palma Aquarium is all about sea life, habitats and conservation, with walkthrough tanks and play areas. Marineland Mallorca in Costa d’en Blanes, west of Palma, is built around a dolphin show in which sea lions also take part.
If you’re staying on the Bay of Palma, the aquarium is the easier choice. If you want live animal shows, Marineland fits better, and our guide to water parks in Mallorca covers the bigger splash days.
Conservation and animal welfare at Palma Aquarium
Behind the tanks, the Palma Aquarium Foundation runs research, rescue and education projects around the Balearic Islands. In 2023 its rescue centre helped 83 sea turtles, 26 of which recovered and went back to the sea, as well as 11 sharks and 18 cetaceans. The foundation also bred and released 36 nursehound sharks and 221 seahorses into the Mediterranean, and it organised 14 beach clean-ups with volunteers.
Keeping sharks and other large marine animals in captivity still divides opinion, and some people prefer to see marine life only in the wild. Others value the chance for children to see these animals up close and learn why the sea needs protecting. If that matters to you, the Backstage Tour is a good way to see how the animals are cared for and what the conservation work involves.
Tips for your visit
- Book online tickets in advance and arrive at opening time, especially on rainy days.
- Check the feeding times at the entrance and plan your route around the Big Blue.
- Pack swimwear or a spare T-shirt for the water fountain in the play area.
- Use the lockers if you’re visiting on your arrival or departure day.
- In summer, combine your visit with a walk along the Playa de Palma promenade or an afternoon at Aqualand El Arenal.
Practical information
- Palma Aquarium tickets are best bought in advance. You’ll skip the ticket queue at the entrance and avoid the risk of the aquarium selling out on busy days.
- Address: Carrer de Manuela de los Herreros i Sorà, 21, 07610 Palma, Illes Balears, Spain
- Buy tickets on GetYourGuide
Hotels near Palma Aquarium
Can Pastilla and Playa de Palma are the most convenient bases, with hotels a short walk from the aquarium and the beach. For more family-friendly options around the island, see our guide to family hotels in Mallorca.
💰 Aparthotel Fontanellas Playa
A good-value, family-friendly aparthotel just a minute’s walk from Playa de Palma beach. Palma Aquarium is about 600 metres away, so you can walk there and back without a car. There’s an indoor pool and an outdoor pool, which is handy outside the summer months.
🏨 BG Java
A four-star hotel in Can Pastilla, about a five-minute walk from the aquarium and a couple of minutes from the beach. It has indoor, outdoor and children’s pools, plus a wellness area with a spa. It suits families who want a comfortable base with the promenade on the doorstep.
💎 Hipotels Playa de Palma Palace
A five-star hotel a few minutes’ walk from Playa de Palma beach, a short drive along the bay from the aquarium. It has an outdoor pool with a separate children’s pool and the Aquavitale spa with a sauna and hot tub. It’s the choice for parents who want a little luxury after a day with the sharks.
Palma Aquarium FAQ
Is Palma Aquarium worth visiting?
Yes, Palma Aquarium is worth visiting, especially with children. The Big Blue shark tank, the coral reefs and the outdoor play areas easily fill half a day. It’s also one of the best things to do in Mallorca when the weather turns.
How long does it take to go around Palma Aquarium?
Most families need about three to four hours to go around Palma Aquarium. The indoor route alone is around 900 metres, and the gardens and playgrounds can easily add another hour.
Is there a free bus to Palma Aquarium?
Palma Aquarium doesn’t advertise a free bus, but EMT city buses 23 and 35 stop right at the aquarium. You can also buy tickets with transport included from many resorts in Mallorca.
Which is better, Marineland Mallorca or Palma Aquarium?
Palma Aquarium is better for sea life, sharks and coral, while Marineland is better if you want animal shows. The aquarium is also easier to reach from Palma and the Playa de Palma resorts.
Is the Big Blue the deepest shark tank in Europe?
The Big Blue is one of the deepest shark tanks in Europe, at 8.5 metres deep. It holds 3.5 million litres of salt water and is home to sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks and rays.
Is there an aquarium in Majorca?
Yes, Palma Aquarium is the main aquarium in Majorca, on Playa de Palma near the capital. If you’re comparing it with mainland options, the Barcelona Aquarium and the Oceanogràfic in Valencia are the other big ones in Spain.
