Are you interested in what’s going on under the sea? The Barcelona Aquarium has marine life you don’t find at most aquariums.

The Barcelona Aquarium ( L’ Aquarium de Barcelona) represents the different marine communities of the Mediterranean and beyond. Penguin feeding, shark tanks and an underwater tunnel draw the most visitors. Kid-friendly exhibitions make this a great family option, especially if weather isn’t ideal or you need a break from the heat.

Exhibits

The Oceanarium is the largest tank in the aquarium. It houses different species of marine life with the sand tiger shark and sandbar shark as its topliners. Walk through the impressive 80-meter underwater tunnel to get a unique glimpse of the active blue planet.

Small tanks also contain interesting micro ecosystems of their own, with tanks dedicated to seahorses, tropical corals and shark eggs. Look closely at the shark eggs (also called “mermaids’ purses) – sometimes you can get a glimpse of the shark embryos moving!

Feeding times

Visitors can watch workers feed penguins, sharks and rays two times a day. Watch sharks chomp down squid, eagle rays and moray eels race toward food, and the penguins get rowdy at feeding time in the Planeta Aqua Room. Check feeding times to make sure they coincide with your visit.

Activites

Are you a qualified scuba diver? Interested in close encounters with sharks? The Barcelona Aquarium offers qualified divers the opportunity to swim with sharks or enjoy them from a distance. Buy your ticket and reserve a spot ahead of time.

Interactive exhibits are made just for kids at the Explora! children’s area. The space allows young ones to touch, see, listen, and discover marine life at their own pace.

Get there

-By car

From the hotel, exit right on Avinguda Diagonal; take the Ronda Litoral. Take exit 22 or 21; follow signs for the aquarium. See map.

-By bus

Via bus, the aquarium is about 25 minutes from The Gates Hotel Diagonal. Bring change to purchase one-way tickets. From the hotel, walk east and take a right at Carrer de la Ciutat de Granada. Turn right onto Carrer de Tànger. Take the N8 bus from the Tànger-Badajoz stop. Fourteen stops brings you to Pg. Joan de Borbó; disembark and head north toward the Moll del Dipòsit/Plaça de Pau Vila. The aquarium is on the harbor.

-Bike

Want to make use of the Martone rental bikes at The Gates Hotel Diagonal Barcelona? Take a 15-minute ride via Carrer de Roc Boronat. See map.

Tickets

Pro-tip: Skip the line and get the best rates by buying your ticket online. Tickets are valid up to 90 days after purchase. Buy tickets online. Ticket offices open at 10 am daily.

Hours

The Barcelona Aquarium is open year-round with hours depending on the season. It opens at 10 am daily and closes at 8 pm or later. See the aquarium hours here.

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The Gates Hotel Diagonal Barcelona is a chic boutique hotel located right near Torre de Glòries. Our rooftop pool, beer garden and central location makes for a desirable stay in Barcelona. Check out prices and promotions at The Gates Hotel Diagonal.