Palma Aquarium, Palma de Mallorca

Aquarium in Palma de Mallorca

CC BY-SA 2.0 / palma aquarium

Just 500 metres from Playa de Palma, Palma Aquarium brings the Mediterranean and three oceans together in one immersive marine park. Opened in 2007 and run by Coral World International, it houses 55 tanks and more than 700 species from the Mediterranean, Indian, Atlantic and Pacific, making it one of the top attractions in Palma de Mallorca for families, ocean lovers and anyone who needs a day away from the beach but still wants to stay close to the water.

The star of the show is the Big Blue tank, plunging 8.5 metres deep and recognised as the deepest shark tank in Europe, home to sleek sharks and the largest living coral collection on the continent. Around it, themed zones, touch pools, outdoor play areas and conservation exhibits keep all ages engaged, and the mix of education and entertainment makes the aquarium a great place to visit on a walking tour of Palma de Mallorca that follows the seafront towards Playa de Palma.

History and Significance of the Palma Aquarium
Things to See and Do in the Palma Aquarium
How to Get to the Palma Aquarium
Practical Tips on Visiting the Palma Aquarium
Where to Stay close to the Palma Aquarium
Is the Palma Aquarium Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Palma Aquarium
Nearby Attractions to the Palma Aquarium

History and Significance of the Palma Aquarium

Palma Aquarium opened in 2007 with a clear ambition: to bring the world's seas to Mallorca in a way that was both spectacular and educational. Being so close to Playa de Palma makes it easy to weave into a beach-based holiday, but the scale and quality of the exhibits quickly earned it a reputation in its own right. With 55 tanks and over 700 different species, it offers a dense snapshot of marine life from the local Mediterranean to far-flung tropical oceans.

From the beginning, the Big Blue tank has been its signature feature. At 8.5 metres deep, this vast pool was designed to give sharks room to glide in a way that feels close to open water, while also hosting Europe’s largest collection of living corals. Taken together, the sharks and corals turn the tank into a living classroom about ocean ecosystems, predator-prey relationships and the fragility of reef habitats.

The aquarium has also tried to position itself as a responsible attraction. It has received awards such as the Best Business Initiative in the Balearics 2007 and the 2007 Accessibility Prize from the Consell de Mallorca, reflecting both its economic impact and efforts to be welcoming to a wide range of visitors. With more than 400,000 visitors a year, roughly half of them local or national and the rest from elsewhere in Europe, Palma Aquarium plays a major role in how people-especially children-on the island encounter and learn about the sea.

Things to See and Do in the Palma Aquarium

Inside, the aquarium is organised into zones that take you from the familiar to the exotic. Mediterranean tanks showcase local species and habitats, giving you a better understanding of the waters around Mallorca itself. From there, you move into the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific sections, where tropical fish, rays, sea turtles and colourful coral reefs fill the glass with movement. Take your time at each window; there is always something new to spot if you linger for a few minutes.

The Big Blue shark tank is a must. Standing in front of this deep pool, you see sharks circling at different levels, sometimes disappearing into the blue and then reappearing from unexpected angles. The size and depth of the tank create a genuinely immersive feel, and interpretive panels help you understand who lives here and how the ecosystem works. It is worth looping back at different times during your visit, as the tank can feel quite different as light and feeding schedules change.

Beyond the main exhibits, look out for interactive elements, children’s play zones, outdoor areas and occasional animal talks or feeding demonstrations. Shops and restaurants on-site serve up food and souvenirs (including the ever-popular toy sharks), and because the aquarium is designed as a full-day attraction, you can comfortably spend several hours here without running out of things to see. If you are visiting with kids, building in breaks for snacks and play makes the experience smoother and more enjoyable.

How to Get to the Palma Aquarium

Most visitors arrive in Mallorca via Palma de Mallorca Airport, which is conveniently close to both Palma city and Playa de Palma. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Palma de Mallorca on Booking.com. From the airport, you can take a short taxi ride or use local buses that run along the coast towards Playa de Palma, stopping within walking distance of the aquarium.

If you are staying in central Palma or elsewhere on the island, regional trains bring you into Palma's Estació Intermodal near Plaça d'Espanya.Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. From there, you can transfer to city buses that serve the coastal strip towards Playa de Palma, or take a taxi directly to the aquarium entrance.

Travelling by car, follow signs from Palma or the main island roads towards Playa de Palma and look for directions to Palma Aquarium along the coastal route.If you are looking to rent a car in Spain I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you. There is usually parking available nearby, and driving can be especially convenient if you are visiting with children or planning to combine the aquarium with beach time.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Palma Aquarium

Suggested tips: Buy tickets in advance during peak season and arrive early to enjoy the quieter first hours, especially at the Big Blue tank and touch pools.
Best time to visit: Late morning or early afternoon works well; in high summer, the aquarium is also a good option for spending the hottest part of the day indoors.
Entrance fee: From €30.50
Opening hours: Mon-Friday: 10:00 to 15:50; Weekends: 10:00 to 17:50;
Official website: https://tickets.palmaaquarium.com/en/
How long to spend: Plan on 2-4 hours to see the main tanks, attend a talk or feeding, explore outdoor areas and take breaks for snacks or lunch.
Accessibility: The aquarium was designed with accessibility in mind and has lifts, ramps and accessible facilities, but some outdoor areas may involve mild slopes.
Facilities: On-site you will find toilets, baby-changing facilities, cafés, restaurants, souvenir shops and shaded rest areas, making it easy to visit with children or older relatives.
Photography tip: Turn off flash to avoid glare on the glass, brace your camera or phone against the tank for sharper shots, and experiment with angles where light from above falls on sharks or rays.
Guided tours: Check whether guided visits, behind-the-scenes tours or special experiences are available during your stay; they can add depth to what you see in the tanks.
Nearby food options: You can eat inside the aquarium complex or head out afterwards to the many restaurants and beach bars along Playa de Palma.

Where to Stay close to the Palma Aquarium

If you want easy access to Palma Aquarium and the beach, staying along Playa de Palma or in the eastern part of Palma makes perfect sense. For a comfortable city base with straightforward bus or taxi links to the aquarium and the old town, Hotel Almudaina works well, especially if you plan to split your time between culture and coast. If you prefer to be closer to the sea, family-friendly and resort-style options near Playa de Palma put you within walking distance of both the beach and the aquarium, while still allowing for quick trips into Palma by bus or taxi. For something a little more boutique but still convenient for coastal excursions, Hotel Basilica offers a stylish old-town base that pairs well with day trips out to the aquarium and nearby beaches.

Is the Palma Aquarium Worth Visiting?

Palma Aquarium is definitely worth visiting, especially if you are travelling with family or have an interest in marine life. The combination of Mediterranean and tropical habitats, the dramatic Big Blue shark tank and the strong educational and conservation focus make it much more than a rainy-day time-filler. Even if you have visited other aquariums, the scale of the shark tank and coral displays, together with the convenient location near Playa de Palma, mean it can still feel fresh and memorable as part of your Mallorca itinerary.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.4 (30,925)

Palma Aquarium on Carrer de Manuela de los Herreros, 21 offers large ocean habitats including a vast shark tank, a jungle roof garden and Mediterranean and rainforest garden areas; visitors praise the shark tank and staff for safety and friendliness, note it's easy to navigate and accessible for wheelchair users, and mention added features like a short 3D cinema about whales and on-site snacks; some guests recommend arriving early to avoid queues and several highlight it as a good family visit though a few find the ticket price steep for a shorter visit.

Reza Zaheri

2 weeks ago

"One of my absolute highlights of my trip to Palma! If you want a relaxing (yes relaxing :)) dive with 12 magnificent, calm & majestic sharks, bookthis dive. The entire experience was top notch, and most importantly the aquarium staff consider safety & respect for the marine life to be absolutely critical - something that really resonated with me. Important note: make sure to bring your medical certificate, which again they need to ensure you have a super safe dive. I actually forgot to bring mine, but Maribel - who manages the overall experience - couldn’t have been more professional & caring in how she handled the issue, and I was able to quickly get one cleared with an hour and complete the dive the next day. And Louis, who was my dive guide, was super cool as well, and a proper laugh to hang out with. Just as importantly he made sure from the very begi ing that I was in good hands, and VERY safe around the sharks. All in all, it was an experience I will never forget , and will do again the next time I’m in Palma. Anyway, thank you Maribel, Louis and Nina for the awesome day I spent with you guys. I appreciate you for all you do...."

See More See Less

Petar Petrovic

a month ago

"We visited Palma Aquarium in Mallorca for the first time, and overall, it was a nice experience. The atmosphere is pleasant, and the place is wellorganized. The highlight for us was definitely the shark tank – it was fascinating to see them up close! The ticket also included a 3D cinema with a short film about whales that lasts around 10–15 minutes, which was interesting and enjoyable, especially for kids. I would recommend visiting with young children, as there are many different species of fish and sea creatures to see. The only downside is the ticket price, which I find quite expensive considering you can go through the entire aquarium in less than an hour...."

See More See Less

Aj M

3 months ago

"I recommend to get here early we were there at 09H45 and got straight in. When we left there were huge queues. It's a very good aquarium, lots tolook at and do. I only rated it 4 stars as we missed the Mediterranean gardens and went straight to the jungle, the staff were ushering families that way but not us. The shark tank is good but its sad to see theese beautiful animals in captivity. All accessible for wheelchair users its a great place to visit for a few hours. I recommend going early on a rainy day to kill a few hours..."

See More See Less

FAQs for Visiting Palma Aquarium

Most visitors are happy with 2-4 hours, which allows enough time to walk through all the zones, watch the sharks, attend a talk or feeding and take a couple of breaks.

Yes, it is very family-friendly, with interactive exhibits, viewing windows at different heights, play areas and facilities that make visiting with younger children easier.

While you can often buy tickets on the day, booking in advance is recommended during weekends, holidays and peak summer months to avoid queues and secure your preferred time.

Nearby Attractions to the Palma Aquarium

Playa de Palma: A long sandy beach just a short walk away, ideal for combining a morning at the aquarium with an afternoon by the sea.
Palma city centre: A short bus or taxi ride takes you into the historic heart of Palma, with its cathedral, royal palace and old-town streets.
Palma Cathedral La Seu: The island's iconic Gothic cathedral overlooking the bay, perfect for a culture-focused half day after your aquarium visit.
Royal Palace of La Almudaina: A fortified royal palace beside the cathedral, offering historic interiors and harbour views.
Passeig Marítim: Palma’s waterfront promenade, lined with marinas, cafés and bars, ideal for an evening stroll after a day of sea life and sunshine.

The Palma Aquarium appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Palma de Mallorca!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!