AQUARIUMS · SPAIN
A shark tunnel on the Barcelona harbour front, Europe’s largest aquarium in Valencia and a Palma tank with a deep blue drop. These 15 are priced and timed, with a note on which ones fill with school groups after lunch.
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 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”
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!”
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.”
Spend up to a day exploring 33 aquariums and more than one million liters of water at Lanzarote Aquarium. See sharks, rays, guitarfish, tropical fish, local Canary species, axolotls, and turtles in rehabilitation. Plan on 40 minutes to two hours, with feeding times adding extra interest.
“Expected it to be a bit bigger with more species but for what was there to be seen it was quite value for money. Display tanks were so clean that made the view a delight. The staff are amazing and all speaking fluent English which made my partner and I feel so welcomed. Small gift shop but lovely bits to pick up as souvenirs or for kids. £14. was great value. There’s a beautiful white octopus in there.”
Visit SEA LIFE Benalmádena for colorful fish, jellyfish, seahorses, sharks, turtles, otters, and an interactive rockpool. Walk through the 180º submarine tunnel, see the Amazonia freshwater zone, join feeds and talks, and allow about 25 to 60 minutes for the visit.
“Great quick but if you enjoy it in moments it's great”
Visit Palma Aquarium in Platja de Palma with a mobile ticket and follow a route of more than 1 kilometer through eight themed habitats, including the Mediterranean, Tropical, Jungle, and Jellyfish areas. Allow about three hours for aquariums, children’s activities, a shark tank, and a 3D whale film.
“A deep exploration of submarine life .. please add some turtles and sharks .. Nice experience in general”
Visit SEA LIFE Benalmádena for sharks, otters, Jurassic fossils, and a hands-on rock pool zone. The aquarium takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, though some families finish faster. Prebook entry for a flexible indoor activity near public transport.
“Leuke uitstap maar waren rap rond. De kinderen vonden het in elk geval een toffe uitstap. Het positieve is dat we heel de dag binnen mogen.”
Set sail from San Antonio on a family-friendly catamaran cruise past Cala Salada and Cala Gració. Visit Aquarium Cap Blanc, swim near Ses Margalides, and use onboard snorkels, fins, floats, and noodles. English and Spanish guides, drinks, fruit, and an indoor bar are included.
“Super boat cruise. Could not fault at all and for the price was brilliant value for money. You will get a plastic cup when boarding and can use to get free drinks while on board. There is also free fruit, sweets for kids and pastries. Other food is available to purchase at a cost. Trip included all the sights, beaches and a stop with plenty of time to swim in the sea, they even provide googled, flippers and pool noodles to use. Would definately do again.”
You get a 24 or 48-hour Barcelona City Tour bus ticket plus one-time entry to the Barcelona Aquarium. Ride two routes past Gaudí landmarks, Montjuïc, Camp Nou, the waterfront, and Park Güell, using multilingual audio commentary and hopping on at any listed stop.
“O Aquário foi espetacular. O autocarro foi muito bom, exceto a falta de sinalização nas paragens para o efeito. Quando descemos e queremos retomar noutro sítio, não é nada fácil.”
Spend a day at Atlantis Aquarium in Xanadú, about 10 minutes from Madrid. You’ll see 20 aquariums with 150 species, including penguins, turtles, sharks, jellyfish, and tropical fish, while interactive tests explain water use and marine conservation.
“pues muchísima gente, demasiada. avalanchas dr críos. en media hora lo ves .. muchísimo calor .”
Visit Acuario de Sevilla at your own pace and follow Magellan’s route through five themed zones: Guadalquivir, Atlantic, Amazonia, Pacific, and Indo-Pacific. Allow one to three hours for sharks, turtles, rays, jellyfish, octopuses, and educational displays. Advance booking helps you save time at the entrance.
“Me a gustado mucho y mis hijos le a encantado volveremos otro día seguro por que nos a gustado mucho”
Join LJ Diving Tenerife in Las Galletas for two guided scuba sessions at sites chosen for your certification and weather. Groups stay small, with no fixed underwater time limit. Equipment, photos, coffee, and tea are included. You must bring personal scuba insurance.
“Amazing! Small groups, less than 3 people. Saw tons of octopus, fish, starfish, plants, and eel! Short boat ride to the site, I was also able to book a second dive right after!! Thank you”
Set out from Girona’s Roses area for a two-hour English-language boat trip along Cap de Creus. You’ll see Cala Murtra’s seabed through the boat, El Bulli, The Cat rock, and possibly Tamariu cave, with morning and afternoon departures.
“Excursion très sympa faite en famille. De très belles criques et de belles photos à prendre. Nous avons passé un bon moment.”
At Aquanautic Club Lanzarote in Puerto del Carmen, you’ll learn basic safety, enter from a sheltered beach, and spend about 25 to 30 minutes underwater with close instructor support. Janina has guided families, nervous swimmers, and first-timers, with fish and occasional angel shark sightings.
“Really great experience, would definitely recommend. Both instructors were really supportive and helpful, felt really safe in the water. Also saw lots of fishes !”
By kind of visit, by what it costs, or by who is on the other side of the glass.
