AROUND THE WORLD · AQUARIUMS
Ocean tanks you can stand under, reef rooms you can put a hand in, and a few buildings worth the trip on their own. These 15 are the ones that justify a whole morning, with what each costs at the gate and how long you will really be inside.
Visit L’Aquàrium de Barcelona in Port Vell for more than 80 Mediterranean and tropical aquariums, an 80-metre shark tunnel, Planeta Aqua, mangrove exhibits, and the Journey to the Depths digital room. Allow about two to three hours, especially with children.
“Nice aquarium it is. Enjoyed a lot with baby. Truely value for money.”
Spend a full day exploring Genoa Aquarium’s 70-plus tanks, from penguins and jellyfish to sharks, seals, manatees, and dolphins. Your timed ticket includes skip-the-line entry, while optional choices add focaccia tasting, a sandwich, street food, or Panera ice cream.
“We had a great time during our visit to the Aquarium in Genoa. The species were unique and presented in a very interesting way. The variety of unique sea life is a must-see. After visiting the exhibitions, we went to a restaurant located in an open area surrounded by water, with a fresh breeze and absolutely delicious food. We had a wonderful time there with my adult daughter.”
Visit Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall, then choose extras such as a glass-bottom boat, fish feeding, VIP access, or a Penguin Cove encounter. You’ll see sharks, rays, crocodiles, penguins, otters, and unusual marine life, with staff-led talks and animal-care insights.
“Our experience was great. The boat ride & feeding the fishes was a brilliant addition to the walk through.”
Spend up to a full day at Atlantis Aquaventure on The Palm, riding major slides, floating through lazy rivers, using the Surf’s Up wave machine, and relaxing on the beach. Choose the waterpark-only ticket or add same-day entry to The Lost Chambers Aquarium, home to 65,000 marine animals.
“Two main rides were closed for maintenance this was disappointing given we paid full price so this was not communicated until we arrived”
Use your voucher at Georgia Aquarium’s Baker Street entrance, pass the ticket-purchase line, and head to security. Spend up to a full day exploring eight galleries, touch pools, whale sharks, belugas, sea lions, and reef habitats. Dolphin and sea lion presentations require advance seat reservations.
“I went early when it was less crowded and got to take my time. Definitely recommend for a solo traveler.”
Explore SEA LIFE London across 14 themed zones and three floors, from tropical fish and green turtles to sharks beneath a glass platform. Meet Gentoo penguins in Ice Adventure, then enter Ranger Andy’s Amazon rainforest, where piranhas, crocs, ants, and a Goliath bird-eating tarantula await.
“Children had lots of fun seeing different kinds if sea animals and didn't want to go home.”
Spend a full day at Palma Aquarium, following more than 1 kilometer of displays across eight habitats. See Big Blue, one of Europe’s deepest shark tanks, living corals, turtles, rays, jellyfish, and daily feedings. Add the Aquadome 3D film for a short virtual swim with whales.
“It was amazing small but a lot to see and do including the 3D moving”
Use one flexible pass to visit Madame Tussauds, ride the London Eye 135 meters above London, and explore SEA LIFE’s 14 themed zones. Book Madame Tussauds first, then reserve the other two attractions within 90 days. Expect family fun, big city views, and possible queues.
“Worth buying this. Cost effective as wells as great way of visiting multiple places”
Visit Malta’s starfish-shaped National Aquarium at your own pace. See Mediterranean species, jellyfish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects across 51 tanks, then walk through the main tunnel beneath sharks and larger fish. Plan about one to two hours, longer if you read every display or join scheduled talks.
“very fresh looking building. several large tanks with walkways. displaying different varietys of fish. very clean inside. large under tunnel walk way. with small to medium sharks. toilets. large. cafe . was a nice afternoon out. takes around 1-2 hours to see it all. we enjoyed our visit and price was reasonable.”
Visit Aquarium de Paris beneath the Trocadéro Gardens with a self-guided ticket. See sharks, jellyfish, stingrays, koi, and species linked to the Seine and Reunion Island. Add touch pools, films, workshops, and live shows for a calm one- to two-hour family stop.
“I had so much fun. They had some great marine life. The only downside is it’s rather small”
Follow Magellan and Elcano’s route through Seville Aquarium’s Guadalquivir, Atlantic, Amazon, Pacific, and Indo-Pacific zones. You’ll see more than 7,000 animals, including sharks, turtles, rays, jellyfish, piranhas, reptiles, and the newly featured axolotl. Plan about 90 minutes.
“This is an amazing aquarium! It did seem a bit underutilized , though. Hopefully there’s a way to make it more financially accessible to the local population. Also hope the aquarium can get financial and other support to restore outside tank areas. (or was that just closed seasonally?) Fantastic tanks and collections!”
Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada on your chosen date with flexible entry, nine galleries, 20,000 aquatic animals, a long underwater tunnel, stingray touch pools, and daily live dive shows. Choose the Sharks After Dark option for admission after 5 PM and a quieter evening visit.
“Andrew was a hoot, as we say in Australia. Very informative with a great sense of humour. You definitely won’t need dinner. My favourite eatery was the gelato and dim sum. Directions to meeting place and description of him self was great. Tall guy with red hair and beard. We would thoroughly recommend this tour.Thanks Andrew. Cheers from another Aussie couple Trudy and Gordon”
Spend a full day at Madrid’s 20-hectare Zoo Aquarium in Casa de Campo. See pandas, Iberian lynxes, koalas, gorillas, sharks, birds, and more across 500 species, with talks, animal presentations, IrenIA, and a virtual reality gorilla attraction.
“We loved the freedom of the animals, non caged but free to roam their large enclosures. Amazing range of animals, some new to us as seasoned zoo goers.”
Walk through 14 Atlantis-themed chambers and 21 exhibits, including the 11-million-litre Ambassador Lagoon. Follow self-guided clues, watch shark and ray presentations, and see sharks, rays, jellyfish, groupers, and clownfish. Allow roughly 30 to 75 minutes, depending on your pace and show times.
“Eid, shiko you are the best !!! It was a very good tour 👍🏽”
Visit Lisbon Oceanarium independently with a mobile admission ticket. Spend two to three hours exploring 8,000 animals across ocean habitats, the huge central tank, Takashi Amano’s Forests Underwater, and Submerged Universe. The aquarium is on the Parque das Nações waterfront, near public transportation.
“It was really good. To avoid the crowds, go when it opens. It had a good variety of aquatic species and plants. Creative habitats. Enjoyed myself.”
By kind of visit, by what it costs, or by who is on the other side of the glass.
