DinaLast Updated on April 20, 2025
Malta’s National Aquarium is one of the best tourist attractions on the island. This starfish-shaped building offers an excellent opportunity to discover Malta’s marine life and, of course…have fun!
This unique aquarium in Malta is located in the north of the island in Qawra: you can catch a bus from Valletta (bus 45, 48 or 31) or Sliema (bus 212), but keep in mind that it is a long ride and it can take up to 1h! The best option is to drive there or take the tourist bus hop-on hop-off that goes around the island. The parking at the aquarium in Malta is free.
The History of Malta’s National Aquarium
If you’re curious about the history behind this incredible spot, I was curious too! The Malta National Aquarium opened in 2013 as part of a €15 million development to redevelop the Qawra area. The starfish design isn’t merely decorative – it was actually designed to symbolize Malta’s relationship with the sea! The architecture firm that created this masterpiece wanted to construct something memorable by the coast, and goodness gracious did they succeed. The aquarium is now one of the most photographed structures in Malta!
Malta National Aquarium Opening Hours and Tickets
*** It is highly recommended to purchase the tickets online in advance from here ***
These are the opening hours of the aquarium:
- 10:00 – 18:00 from Monday to Sunday. The last entry is at 17:30
The Malta National Aquarium tickets are not very cheap, but they are totally worth it, as the experience is unique and unforgettable!
- 16.90€: Adult ticket
- 10.90€: Child ticket, only for ages between 4 and 12
- FREE: children under 4 years old
You can buy the tickets for the Aquarium online from here. They also offer free cancellation.
Why visit the Maltese National Aquarium?
Best Times to Visit – Avoid the Crowds!
After talking to one of the friendly staff, I learned that the best time to visit is Tuesday or Wednesday mornings, early morning. Tour groups tend to arrive after 11:30 AM, and weekends are naturally more crowded with families from around here!
he busiest time of year is July-August, when the ticket queues are 30+ minutes (a good reason to purchase tickets online in advance!). If you cant go then, try the late afternoon session at 4 PM.
Why visit the Maltese National Aquarium?.
This is a great activity if you are coming to Malta with kids, or if you are looking at how to spend a rainy day in Malta.
I had an excellent experience, and I would return to experience more of Malta’s underwater life. The place is very structure,d and there are many different tanks with common and less-common fish.
- The rare white albino stingray was one of the cutest and friendliest! It was coming all the time next to the glass!
- The seahorses were so tiny and still! They were just as long as my tiny finger.
- The tank with the jellyfish in the Malta aquarium was so impressive. It is so common to see jellyfish in Malta, but this time you can admire them with no fear. They really look from outer space!
- If you have watched Finding Nemo you can’t leave the aquarium without taking pictures of the tiny clownfishes.
The majority of the tanks replicate the Maltese coastline, so there are many common fish like seabass, but they do have some exotic fish as well.
One example is the red-belly piranha from Brazil. Who’s not afraid of their famous strong jaws and teeth? In the tank, they looked quite cute until I realized that some were missing an eye! I scanned the QR code and the information provided was very enlightening: on their way to Malta, somehow (I guess due to a crazy piranha fight) some of them lost one of their eyes.
I felt bad for these Cyclop guys, but…that’s life! The piranhas are also known for the characteristic sound that they make before attacking, but unfortunately, I did not hear this sound this time!
You can even admire a replica of the bronze submerged Christ of the Abyss statue. The original one can be found in Portofino, Italy, but this one is pretty cool too!
The reptile collection of the Malta Aquarium is stunning. You watch sleepy amphibians and reptiles from all over the world. Beetles. tarantulas, snakes, lizards…so many different creatures!
I have to admit that reptiles and insects are not my favorite, so I skipped this section very quickly!
Last but not least, don’t forget to take a photo in the 12m long underwater tunnel. There are a couple of sharks swimming around there, but unfortunately, I didn’t capture them in this shot.
Just before the exit, on your right, you can find the “baby station”. These two tanks are full of tiny baby fish and other sea creatures. I have never seen such a tiny lobster in my life! I guess that they are just breeding them but it is indeed one of the cutest places in the aquarium.
Many people are wondering, “Can I swim with dolphins in the Malta Aquarium?” The answer is No. This activity is provided by the Marine Park not the Aquarium. But you can have a really good time and enjoy lunch in the restaurant. I had just a coffee at the “La Nave Bistro” but the view was breathtaking! But as mentioned in the beginning, remember to purchase online in advance your tickets for the aquarium online in advance and do not waste your time in the queue for the ticket office.
Conservation Efforts – Not Just a Tourist Attraction!
What I thoroughly love about the Malta National Aquarium is that they care a lot about the conservation of the sea!
They’re not simply displaying nice fish – they’re engaging in several Mediterranean conservation programs. While I was there, I learned th at they contribute to a seahorse breeding program for reintroducing some of the areas in Malta where these delicate creatures have dwindled in numbers.
The aquarium itself is also home to a sea turtle rehabilitation center where sea turtles are taken in, nursed back from injuries and then released back into the wild again. Who knows, if you’re very fortunate, perhaps you’ll be visiting during a sea turtle release session – it is just such a warm feeling to see these lovely creatures returned to their rightful place in the ocean!
Educational Programs – Fun Learning for Everyone!
For guests who bring along children (or inquisitive grown-ups like me!), the aquarium offers great learning workshops all year round! I wasn’t able to take advantage of one myself, but another family next to me had just finished up the “Marine Biologist for a Day” workshop and their kids just wouldn’t stop gushing about having been able to help feed the fish and learn about water quality testing.
On weekends throughout school holidays, they host one-off special themed days – from “Shark Week” activities to “Underwater Photography” classes. If you book in advance for your visit, their website specifies when the workshops take place. It’s well worth scheduling your visit around one of these sessions if at all possible!
What do after the Aquarium?
You can stay and enjoy the beach at the nearby Cafè del Mar, or explore other unique places in Malta such as this traditional fishing village.
Lastly, if you have several days at your disposal, don’t forget to explore my article highlighting the best things to do in Gozo. It will provide you with valuable insights on how to make the most of your time on the island.
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