Dive into the world of Barcelona Aquarium by participating in these must-do activities!
Located in the old port of Port Vell, near the Maremagnum Shopping Center, it is the world’s largest aquarium dedicated to the Mediterranean Sea.
It has 20 tanks and an 80-meter subaquatic tunnel with a conveyor belt, so all you have to worry about is the sea life staring you down from every angle.
There are child-sized aquarium tunnels for the kids to stroll through in the Explora! Zone, a whirlpool slide, and a pretty colorful submarine in which they could pretend to be captains.
To have a convenient trip to the aquarium, we recommend buying skip-the-line tickets so the little ones don’t find any aspect of the visit boring!
Pro Tip! The aquarium’s hours vary depending on the day of the week. To avoid disappointment upon arrival, check the opening hours.
Oceanarium and underwater tunnel
The Oceanarium will undoubtedly be your trip’s high point.
This enormous tank has 4 million liters of water 36 meters wide and 5 meters deep.
The Aquarium’s most well-known inhabitants live here: sandbar and sand tiger sharks.
You will be transported to the Mediterranean Sea floor as you move through the 80-meter-long underwater tunnel.
Besides the two separate shark species, there are many additional fish in this tank, including stingrays and dories.
Fun fact: The Aquarium hosts sleepovers in the underwater tunnel for children between 8 and 12 years. Quite impressive, isn’t it?
Observe the feeding times
More than 150 meals are prepared daily for the aquarium’s various occupants. You may observe the fish being fed if you go to the aquarium at lunchtime.
The sharks are fed on Tuesdays and Fridays between 12 am and 1 pm. Divers feed octopuses and other sea creatures with feeding poles.
The penguins are fed twice daily, at 1.30 and 4.30 pm.
Except on Sundays, the stingrays are fed every day at 2 pm.
Note: Feeding times vary significantly from week to week. It is best to check the exact information on the official website closer to the day of your visit.
The Aquariums
- Oceanarium: This massive tank holds 4 million liters of water and features a unique underwater tunnel, offering visitors a mesmerizing view of sharks, stingrays, and other large sea creatures.
- Mediterranean Aquarium: It is focused on the marine life of the Mediterranean Sea and highlights the rich biodiversity of this region, including colorful fish, seahorses, and sea cucumbers.
- Tropical Aquarium: Explore the vibrant ecosystems of tropical waters, where you can encounter exotic species such as clownfish, moray eels, and lionfish among coral reefs and mangrove forests.
- Planeta Aqua: This section of the aquarium provides educational displays and interactive exhibits about marine conservation and the importance of protecting ocean ecosystems.
- Explora! Zone: Designed for younger visitors, this area offers hands-on activities and educational experiences to learn about marine life in a fun and engaging way.
All Things Sharks!
Enjoy thrilling shark encounters at Barcelona Aquarium with a range of exciting activities!
From sleeping with sharks to cage diving and scuba diving experiences, get ready for an unforgettable adventure with these majestic creatures of the sea.
Secure your Barcelona Aquarium tickets and be prepared for a day filled with mesmerizing marine life.
Sleeping with Sharks
Description: Sleeping with Sharks is about spending the night at the Barcelona Aquarium and seeing sharks and around 8,000 other fish. On the most exciting sleepover of your life, you can observe their daily behavior, see them wake up, and hunt for their meal!
Highlights:The aquarium features a spectacular underwater tunnel where visitors can witness sharks, rays, and other marine creatures swimming overhead and around them.
Available on: 29 September, 20 October, 17 November, 15 December 2023 and 19 January 2024.
Appropriate Ages: Children aged 8 to 12 years
Participants: Variable depending on the number of bookings on the day
Price: €90
Duration: 7.30 pm to 10m am
Shark Cage Diving
If scuba diving is your thing, but you’re not quite ready to push yourself, L’Aquàrium Barcelona provides a solution for you. Dive underwater in a shark cage and get up close and personal with the majestic aquatic creatures.
Highlights: You will be in a cage with the instructor and experience the magic of nature.
Timings: 12 pm from Monday to Sunday; 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday; 9.30 am except Wednesday and Sunday
Appropriate Ages: Adults and children aged over eight years
Participants: 4 per activity
Price: €175
Dive with sharks
With this activity, you will become a scuba diver and swim with many sharks. This is a fascinating sensory activity that is unlike any other. During this, the divers will explain the features of the Oceanarium and intriguing facts about shark interactions with other marine creatures.
Highlights: You can observe over 15 sharks in a tank containing 4 million liters of water and more than 5,000 sea creatures, such as moray eels, groupers, rays, and other species.
Timings: 9.30 am on Wednesday and Sunday
Appropriate Ages: Those over ten years
Participants: 4 per activity
Price: €300
Duration: 2 hours
Must-carry items for shark experiences:
- Swimsuit and flip-flops
- Towel
- Toiletries
- Driving License
Contents
FAQs
1. What to see at the Barcelona Aquarium?
A must-visit, the Barcelona Aquarium is the largest and only Oceanarium in Europe. You can learn much about marine life through the Mediterranean and tropical tanks that house 11,000 aquatic animals from 450 species.
2. What animals are at the Barcelona Aquarium?
It is home to various species, including giltheads, moray eels, ocean sunfish, rays, and two types of sharks – the sand tiger and the sandbar shark.
3. How big is the Aquarium in Barcelona?
The aquarium has a total capacity of 5 million liters. This includes an ocean tank for sharks, rays, and other large fish that is 36 meters (118 feet) in diameter, 5 meters (16 feet) deep, holds 3.7 million liters of water and has an underwater tunnel measuring 80 meters (260 feet).
4. What experiences can you enjoy here?
There are various experiences one can enjoy, like sleeping with sharks, shark cage diving, and diving with sharks.
5. Do I need a ticket for the activities?
You will need an entry ticket to access all the activities. We highly recommend the skip-the-line entry ticket for Barcelona Aquarium for time efficiency and convenience.
Featured Image: aquariumbcn.com