When planning a day of exploration in Barcelona, visitors often face a tough choice: should they visit the Barcelona Aquarium or the Barcelona Zoo?
Both attractions offer unique experiences, but deciding which suits your interests, schedule, and preferences can be challenging.
This article simplifies the decision-making process by providing a detailed comparison of the two attractions, including their highlights, duration, cost, and accessibility.
Whether you’re fascinated by marine life or eager to see diverse land animals, this guide will help you choose—or even combine both for a memorable day out with your family and friends.
Quick Overview
The Barcelona Aquarium stands out as a better choice than the zoo, offering a climate-controlled, indoor environment that guarantees comfort regardless of the weather, unlike the outdoor Barcelona Zoo.
Additionally, the Aquarium is more time-efficient, requiring just 1-2 hours to explore, compared to the half-day often needed for the zoo.
Featuring 11,000 marine animals from 450 species across 35 aquariums, the Aquarium provides a captivating and educational experience for all ages. Its 80-meter-long shark tunnel is a major highlight, offering an immersive view of sharks and other sea creatures up close.
In contrast, the zoo has faced criticism for empty animal enclosures, limited English information, and sparse dining options, which can detract from the overall experience.
Features | Barcelona Zoo | Barcelona Aquarium |
---|---|---|
Hours | 10 am to 6 pm | 10 am to 8 pm |
Last Entry | 5 pm | 7 pm |
Duration of Visit | Half a day | 1-2 hours |
Location | Parc de la Ciutadella | Moll d’Espanya |
Best Time to Visit | 10 am | 10 am or 5 pm |
Cost of Tickets | €20.33 | €26 |
Purchase | Buy tickets | Buy tickets |
Related: Barcelona Aquarium or L’Oceanogràfic in Valencia: Choose Wisely
More about Barcelona Aquarium

Aquarium Barcelona is a marine wonderland that captivates visitors with its vast collection of over 11,000 animals from 450 species.
Its 35 aquariums, holding 5 million liters of water, offer an immersive experience, with the Oceanarium’s 80-meter shark tunnel as the standout feature, bringing you face-to-face with bull sharks, rays, and other aquatic marvels.
Unlike the expansive outdoor setting of Barcelona Zoo, the Aquarium provides a comfortable, climate-controlled indoor experience that focuses exclusively on marine life.
The Aquarium’s focused exhibits contrast with the zoo’s broader, half-day exploration of global habitats.
However, Aquarium tickets are slightly more expensive than the zoo’s entry fees.
Hours: 10 am to 8 pm
Last Entry: 7 pm
Duration of Visit: 1-2 hours
Official website: Aquariumbcn.com
The Barcelona Aquarium gets more than a million visitors annually. With such a massive turnout, it is better to book your tickets in advance. The skip-the-line tickets come with a timed entry, and the L’Aquarium de Barcelona Flexi ticket comes with a 90-day validity and anytime walk-in option.
More about Barcelona Zoo

Barcelona Zoo offers an engaging journey into the world of terrestrial wildlife, featuring over 2,000 animals from 300 species across diverse habitats.
Unlike the enclosed, climate-controlled environment of Aquarium Barcelona, the zoo’s expansive outdoor setting allows visitors to explore lush landscapes and spacious enclosures.
While the aquarium immerses visitors in the underwater world, the zoo provides a wider variety of global wildlife, making it ideal for animal lovers seeking a more diverse experience.
The zoo’s half-day duration contrasts with the aquarium’s shorter visit, and tickets are more affordable.
However, some visitors critique the zoo for its limited signage in English and fewer dining options.
Hours: 10 am to 6 pm
Last Entry: 5 pm
Duration of Visit: half a day
Official website: Zoobarcelona.cat
Barcelona Zoo attracts more than a million visitors annually, which is why it is better to book your tickets in advance. Most people opt for the standard entry tickets, however, some club their visit to the animal kingdom with a cable car ride by opting for the Zoo+Montjuic cable car experience.
Why not visit them both?
Many visitors explore both Aquarium Barcelona and Barcelona Zoo in a single day, making the Barcelona Zoo + Aquarium Pass a convenient and popular option.
Located approximately 1.5 km (about a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute taxi ride) apart, these attractions offer a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor experiences.
Start your day at the Aquarium in Port Vell, enjoying its marine-focused exhibits, including the 80-meter shark tunnel, and then head to the zoo in Parc de la Ciutadella to discover its diverse range of land animals.
For families or nature enthusiasts, this itinerary provides a perfect mix of marine and terrestrial wildlife.