Visiting the Malta National Aquarium
The Malta National Aquarium is one of the most popular indoor attractions on the island and is located in Qawra, near Bugibba and St Paul’s Bay in the north of Malta. It is a modern aquarium featuring marine life from the Mediterranean and around the world, and it is particularly popular with families, couples and visitors looking for something to do away from the beaches.
The aquarium is set inside a large modern building along the seafront promenade, and the area around it has restaurants, cafes, walking paths and sea views, making it easy to combine a visit with lunch or a walk along the coast. Many visitors include the aquarium as part of a day exploring Bugibba, Qawra and St Paul’s Bay.
Inside the aquarium, visitors can see sharks, rays, jellyfish, octopus, tropical fish and Mediterranean marine species, as well as reptiles and amphibians in a separate section. One of the highlights is the large main tank with a walk-through tunnel, where fish and sharks swim above and around you.
The Malta National Aquarium is especially useful as a rainy day activity, a winter activity, or something to do during very hot summer afternoons, when sightseeing in Valletta or Mdina can be uncomfortable in the heat. Because it is indoors and air-conditioned, it is a good break from the sun while still being an interesting attraction.
Many visitors spend a few hours at the aquarium and then explore the nearby promenade, restaurants and boat trip departures in Bugibba, making it an easy half-day activity in northern Malta.
Where the Malta National Aquarium Is Located & How to Get There
The Malta National Aquarium is located in Qawra, next to Bugibba and St Paul’s Bay, on the north-east coast of Malta. This area is a popular tourist area with hotels, restaurants, boat trips and seaside promenades, so it is easy to reach from most parts of Malta.
If you are travelling by bus, there are direct bus routes from Valletta, Sliema and St Julian’s to Bugibba, and from Bugibba bus station it is a short walk along the promenade to the aquarium. Public transport is one of the easiest ways to reach the aquarium if you are not hiring a car.
Many visitors choose to take a Bolt or taxi, especially from Sliema or St Julian’s, as the journey usually takes around 25–30 minutes depending on traffic. Taxis are reasonably priced in Malta, especially if the cost is shared between several people.
If you have a hire car, there are parking areas near the aquarium and along the seafront, although parking can be busy in summer and at weekends. Arriving earlier in the day usually makes parking easier.
Because the aquarium is located near Bugibba and St Paul’s Bay, it is easy to combine a visit with a boat trip to Comino, a harbour cruise, a walk along the promenade, or lunch at one of the many restaurants in the area.
Malta National Aquarium Tickets & Prices
Visitors need to buy a ticket to enter the Malta National Aquarium, and ticket prices vary slightly depending on age, family tickets and seasonal offers. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance or online in advance.
Buying tickets online can sometimes save time during busy periods, especially in summer and school holidays when the aquarium is popular with families. However, queues are usually not extremely long compared to major European attractions.
The ticket includes access to all aquarium zones, the shark tunnel, marine exhibits, reptile and amphibian areas, and educational displays throughout the building. There is also a cafe and gift shop inside the aquarium building.
Prices are generally considered reasonable for a modern aquarium, and many visitors feel it offers good value for a two to three hour indoor activity, especially for families with children.
Opening times can vary slightly throughout the year, but the aquarium is usually open every day. It is always worth checking opening times before visiting, particularly during winter months or public holidays.
What to See at the Malta National Aquarium
The Malta National Aquarium is divided into several zones, each focusing on different marine environments and species. The main highlight for most visitors is the large central tank with the walk-through tunnel, where sharks, rays and large fish swim above you as you walk through the tunnel.
There are also tanks dedicated to Mediterranean marine life, where visitors can see species that live in the waters around Malta, including groupers, sea bream, octopus and moray eels. This section is particularly interesting because it shows the type of marine life that divers and snorkellers might see around the Maltese islands.
Another popular area is the tropical fish section, which contains colourful coral reef fish and species from warmer oceans around the world. The jellyfish tanks are also very popular, especially because they are illuminated and very different from the other tanks.
In addition to fish and marine life, there is also a reptile and amphibian section, which includes snakes, lizards, frogs and other species. This makes the aquarium more varied than just a traditional fish aquarium.
Throughout the aquarium there are also educational displays about marine conservation, pollution and sea life around Malta, making the visit both entertaining and educational, particularly for children.
Most visitors move through the aquarium slowly, stopping at each tank, and the layout is designed so that you follow a route through all of the different zones before returning to the entrance area.
Is the Malta National Aquarium Worth Visiting?
Whether the Malta National Aquarium is worth visiting depends on what type of trip you are planning and how long you are staying in Malta. For many visitors, especially families, it is one of the best indoor attractions in Malta, and it provides a good break from beaches, historic cities and outdoor sightseeing.
If you are travelling with children, the aquarium is usually considered very worthwhile, as there are sharks, rays, colourful fish and reptiles, and the layout is easy to walk around without it becoming tiring. The shark tunnel is the main highlight and is usually the most memorable part of the visit.
For couples or solo travellers, the aquarium is still enjoyable, but it is best combined with other activities in the area such as walking along the Bugibba promenade, taking a boat trip to Comino, or visiting St Paul’s Bay. On its own, it may not be worth travelling across the island just for the aquarium unless you particularly enjoy aquariums.
The aquarium is also particularly useful on rainy days, windy days, or extremely hot summer afternoons, when outdoor sightseeing is less enjoyable. Malta does not have many indoor attractions compared to large European cities, so the aquarium fills an important gap for indoor activities.
Overall, most visitors who include the aquarium as part of a half-day in Bugibba or Qawra feel that it is worth visiting, especially for families or if you want a relaxed indoor activity.
How Long to Spend at the Malta National Aquarium
Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 3 hours at the Malta National Aquarium, depending on how slowly they move through the exhibits and whether they visit the cafe afterwards.
The aquarium is not extremely large compared to major aquariums in cities like London or Barcelona, but it is well laid out and easy to explore. Visitors usually move through the different zones, stop at the shark tunnel, look at the reptile section and then return to the entrance area where there is a cafe and shop.
A typical visit might look like:
- Walk through aquarium zones and tanks
- Spend time at the shark tunnel
- Visit reptile and amphibian section
- Look at educational displays
- Stop at the cafe or shop
- Walk along the promenade outside afterwards
Many people combine the aquarium with lunch in Bugibba, a walk along the seafront promenade, or a boat trip departure, which makes it part of a half-day activity rather than a full-day attraction.
If you visit during summer, it can be a good idea to visit the aquarium during the hottest part of the day, then spend the evening walking along the promenade or eating at one of the nearby restaurants.
Tips for Visiting the Malta National Aquarium
There are a few useful tips that can make your visit to the Malta National Aquarium easier and more enjoyable.
It is usually best to visit earlier in the day or later in the afternoon, as the aquarium can be busier in the middle of the day, especially during school holidays and summer months.
If you are visiting in summer, remember that although the aquarium is indoors, the area around Bugibba can be very hot, so bring water and sun protection if you plan to walk along the promenade before or after your visit.
Try to combine the aquarium with other nearby activities so that you do not travel across Malta just for the aquarium alone, unless you are particularly interested in aquariums. Good nearby activities include boat trips to Comino, harbour cruises, the Bugibba promenade and restaurants along the seafront.
If you are driving, allow extra time for parking in summer, as parking near the aquarium can be busy in peak season. If you are using the bus, Bugibba bus station is within walking distance.
Finally, if you are visiting Malta in winter, the aquarium is one of the best indoor attractions on the island, so it is a very good option if the weather is not suitable for beaches or boat trips.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Planning a visit to the Malta National Aquarium? Here are a few useful tips before you go:
- Visit during the hottest part of the day: The aquarium is air-conditioned and a great break from the summer heat.
- Combine with Bugibba promenade: Walk along the seafront or have lunch nearby after your visit.
- Allow around two hours: Most visitors spend between 1.5 and 3 hours inside the aquarium.
- Combine with a boat trip: Many Comino and Blue Lagoon boat trips depart from Bugibba.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Further Reading & Related Malta Guides
If you are planning a trip to Malta, start with our Malta travel guide, which covers transport, attractions, where to stay and essential travel tips for visiting the islands.
If you are arriving by plane, read our Malta airport transfers guide to understand the best ways to get from the airport to Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s and Gozo.
If you want to explore the islands by boat, read our Malta cruises and Blue Lagoon guide, which covers Comino boat trips, Gozo boat tours and harbour cruises.
Planning to visit northern Malta attractions? See our Popeye Village Malta guide, which is located not far from Mellieha and the northern beaches.
If you are planning to visit Gozo, read our Gozo day trip guide for ferry information, travel tips and the best places to visit on the island.
You can also read our Malta hop on hop off bus guide if you want an easy way to see the island’s main attractions.
Last Updated
This Malta National Aquarium guide was last updated in April 2026. Opening times, ticket prices and transport routes can change, so always check official attraction websites before visiting.
Affiliate Disclosure
This page contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase or booking, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our work and allows us to continue providing detailed, independent travel advice. We only recommend attractions, tours and services that we believe offer good value for travellers.
