Dive into the world's largest Mediterranean-themed aquarium at Barcelona Aquarium. As the only large aquarium in the city, it features approximately 80 different tanks showcasing around 11,000 animals belonging to 600 different species. Discover the biodiversity of marine ecosystems as you walk through the Oceanarium, view the Thematic Aquariums, and visit recreated environments like the Posidonia seagrass community in the Mediterranean Aquariums.
Key Highlights
- Walk through the signature 80-metre underwater tunnel in the Oceanarium — a 360-degree immersion in four million litres of water with sand tiger sharks, rays, and moray eels gliding overhead and alongside you
- Explore 14 Mediterranean-themed aquariums and seven tropical Caribbean aquariums
- Watch daily feeding sessions
- Discover the Explora! interactive zone with 50+ hands-on activities where children can touch, see, and hear marine life
- Explore Planeta Aqua, the dedicated exhibit on the second floor covering how creatures have adapted to freezing polar seas, tropical waters, and the deep ocean through interactive displays and computer games
About Barcelona Aquarium Ticket
Barcelona Aquarium is Europe's most important recreational and educational marine centre and the richest in the world for Mediterranean fish species, with 21 large aquariums, 11,000 animals of 600 different species, an 80-metre underwater tunnel, six million litres of water, and an immense Oceanarium — the only one of its kind in Europe. Attracting over 1.5 million visitors a year, it is consistently ranked among the top four most visited attractions in Barcelona.
The centrepiece is the Oceanarium — a vast tank containing four million litres of water with a transparent 80-metre tunnel running through it that places you at eye level with the full diversity of Mediterranean marine life. Sand tiger sharks, bull sharks, rays, giant groupers, and moray eels move around you in every direction as you walk the length of the tunnel, creating one of the most dramatic and visually extraordinary experiences available at any European aquarium. Daily feeding sessions make the most popular exhibits even more spectacular
Beyond the Oceanarium, the aquarium's 14 Mediterranean tanks explore native habitats from seagrass meadows and rocky shorelines to deeper waters, while seven tropical aquariums showcase coral reefs, clownfish, tangs, and the vibrant colours of Caribbean seas. The Explora! zone brings the marine world to life for children through 50 interactive activities, touch tanks, and digital fish-drawing stations, while Planeta Aqua on the second floor explores how creatures have adapted to extreme aquatic environments through games, panels, and interactive exhibits. A permanent mollusk exhibition traces how shells have been used in jewellery, decoration, and tools across human history. Special experiences such as shark dives or sleepover programmes are not included in standard admission and must be booked separately. Book your Barcelona Aquarium ticket now on Thrillark and save up to 15%.
The centrepiece is the Oceanarium — a vast tank containing four million litres of water with a transparent 80-metre tunnel running through it that places you at eye level with the full diversity of Mediterranean marine life. Sand tiger sharks, bull sharks, rays, giant groupers, and moray eels move around you in every direction as you walk the length of the tunnel, creating one of the most dramatic and visually extraordinary experiences available at any European aquarium. Daily feeding sessions make the most popular exhibits even more spectacular
Beyond the Oceanarium, the aquarium's 14 Mediterranean tanks explore native habitats from seagrass meadows and rocky shorelines to deeper waters, while seven tropical aquariums showcase coral reefs, clownfish, tangs, and the vibrant colours of Caribbean seas. The Explora! zone brings the marine world to life for children through 50 interactive activities, touch tanks, and digital fish-drawing stations, while Planeta Aqua on the second floor explores how creatures have adapted to extreme aquatic environments through games, panels, and interactive exhibits. A permanent mollusk exhibition traces how shells have been used in jewellery, decoration, and tools across human history. Special experiences such as shark dives or sleepover programmes are not included in standard admission and must be booked separately. Book your Barcelona Aquarium ticket now on Thrillark and save up to 15%.
Inclusions
- Skip-the-line entry to the Barcelona Aquarium
- Access to the 80-metre Oceanarium shark tunnel, all 35 aquariums, Explora! children's zone, and Planeta Aqua
- Access to daily feeding sessions
- Self-guided visit with information panels in Spanish, Catalan, and English
Exclusions
- Shark diving experience
- Food and beverages
Insiders' Tips
Arrive close to noon and time your entry to coincide with the daily shark feeding in the Oceanarium . it is the most dramatic and crowd-pleasing event in the entire aquarium and best witnessed from a position already inside the tunnel when the feeding begins. Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the busiest weekend periods, and check the feeding schedule signage at the entrance to plan your route around the day's sessions.
Additional Information
Operating Hours
Child Policy
Accessibility & Facilities
Restrictions
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Weekends and public holidays: 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Child Policy
- Children under 3 years are free of charge.
- Tickets for children 3-4 years must be purchased on site.
Accessibility & Facilities
- Fully wheelchair and stroller accessible
- Service animals welcome with proper identification
- Café available near the exit
- Lockers available near the entrance
Restrictions
- Flash photography is strictly prohibited throughout the aquarium
- No feeding of animals
- No food or beverages permitted inside exhibit zones
- Do not tap on aquarium glass
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Barcelona Aquarium?
L'Aquàrium de Barcelona is Europe's most important recreational and educational marine centre and the world's richest aquarium for Mediterranean fish species — housing 11,000 marine creatures from 450 species across 35 tanks, a four-million-litre Oceanarium, and an 80-metre underwater tunnel in Port Vell. It attracts over 1.5 million visitors a year and is consistently among the top four most visited attractions in Barcelona.
What is the Oceanarium tunnel at the Barcelona Aquarium?
The Oceanarium tunnel is the centrepiece of the Barcelona Aquarium — an 80-metre transparent tunnel running through a four-million-litre tank that places visitors at eye level with sand tiger sharks, bull sharks, rays, giant groupers, and moray eels in a 360-degree immersion. It is the only Oceanarium of its kind in Europe and consistently the most photographed and most memorable section of the visit
What are the daily feeding sessions at the Barcelona Aquarium?
Sharks are fed by hand in the Oceanarium between noon and 1:00 PM daily. Eagle rays and moray eels are fed at the Oceanarium tunnel on weekdays at 12:45 PM. Humboldt penguins are fed twice daily at 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM. Rays are also fed daily at 2:00 PM, except on Sundays. Attending these sessions is one of the most spectacular and recommended aspects of any Barcelona Aquarium visit.
What is the Explora! zone at the Barcelona Aquarium?
Explora! is an interactive children's zone featuring 50 hands-on activities where children can touch, see, listen to, and discover marine life in an engaging and educational environment. Touch tanks, digital fish-drawing stations, and interactive exhibits make it one of the most popular sections with families, and it is included with standard admission.
What is Planeta Aqua at the Barcelona Aquarium?
Planeta Aqua is a dedicated exhibit on the second floor exploring how marine creatures have adapted to extreme aquatic environments — from freezing polar seas and the dark depths of the ocean to warm tropical waters. Interactive panels, computer games, and information displays make it an engaging complement to the live animal exhibits throughout the rest of the aquarium.
Is the Barcelona Aquarium suitable for families with young children?
Yes — the aquarium is one of the most family-friendly attractions in Barcelona, with dedicated interactive zones, daily feeding sessions, and exhibits designed specifically to engage children of all ages. Children under 3 enter free, and the Explora! zone and daily penguin feedings are consistently the most popular sections with younger visitors
Where is the Barcelona Aquarium located and how do I get there?
The Barcelona Aquarium is at Moll d'Espanya, s/n, in Port Vell — directly beside the Maremàgnum shopping centre, accessible from the end of Las Ramblas by crossing the pedestrian bridge over the port. The nearest metro stations are Drassanes on Line 3 and Barceloneta on Line 4, with the journey from either taking approximately 10 minutes on foot
What should I avoid doing at the Barcelona Aquarium?
Flash photography is strictly prohibited throughout the entire aquarium as it disturbs the marine life. Feeding the animals is also forbidden — all feeding is conducted exclusively by trained staff during scheduled sessions. Food and beverages are not permitted inside exhibit zones, and re-entry is not permitted once you exit the building.
Do I need to book Barcelona Aquarium tickets in advance?
Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly for weekends, school holidays, and the busy summer season when the most popular time slots can sell out and walk-up queues at the ticket office can be significant. Booking through Thrillark saves up to 15% on the standard rate with instant confirmation and skip-the-line access at the entrance
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