The only aquarium in the Maltese archipelago, the Malta National Aquarium occupies a starfish-shaped dome right on the water at Qawra. The visit is short, indoor and air-conditioned, and clearly designed with families in mind. It makes a handy fallback on rainy days or at the height of summer.
This is a small aquarium. You can see it all in 45 minutes to an hour, the ticket feels a little steep for the floor space, and there are no marine mammals or truly headline species. Taken for what it is, though, the place is well kept, clean and nicely staged, with a genuine educational effort: touchscreens in front of every tank and clear information panels.
It works as a well-run, family-friendly educational visit, and a useful way to stay dry on a rainy day or escape a heatwave. If you have already wandered Europe’s big aquariums, you may well leave wanting more.
Two things worth knowing before you go in: there is no audio guide, so the interpretation all runs through screens and panels, and on rainy days everyone has the same idea, so expect a crowd. To get the most out of your ticket, time your visit around the feeding talks, don’t skip the submarine simulator included in the price, and book online: about three euros cheaper than the ticket desk, with no queue.
Opened in 2013, the aquarium lays out its route as six themed zones, followed in order, from the Maltese coastline to tropical reefs. Around 300 species of fish, reptiles and amphibians share the tanks. It is also a research and conservation centre: as a partner of the Sharklab organisation, the aquarium has helped return close to 300 sharks to Maltese waters.
The highlight of the visit: a tunnel leads through the big tropical tank, with sharks, rays and shoals of colourful fish passing overhead. Among them is Gasper, a local ray rescued and nursed back to health by the team, who regularly presses up against the glass. Head into the tunnel just after a feeding talk for the best of the show and the best photos.
The route starts with local Mediterranean life: gilthead bream, sea bass, groupers, amberjacks and scorpionfish, plus rays hidden under the sand. A good primer on what actually swims off the island.
A mural of the Grand Harbour sets the scene for local species, marbled grouper and spiny lobster, alongside more colourful reef fish such as lionfish. A small tank devoted to the Indian Ocean adds clownfish and an emperor angelfish.
A reconstruction of a Roman shipwreck strewn with ancient remains, where some of the larger local fish swim: amberjack, blue mackerel and moray eels lurking in the crevices.
A playful zone devoted to Malta’s sister islands, with freshwater tanks and a small nursery showing species bred on site. Handy for a breather and for keeping younger children busy.
The visit ends with a vivarium added in 2015: snakes, tarantulas, beetles and brightly coloured poison dart frogs. A change of scene that goes down well with children.
Included in the ticket, at the end of the route: a cabin takes you on a two-minute mock dive, giant squid attack included. Short, but very effective with children; anyone claustrophobic may prefer to sit it out.
| Adult (13 and over) | €16.90 |
|---|---|
| Child (4-12) | €10.90 |
| Child (0-3) | free |
| Senior (60 and over) | €13.90 |
| Daily | 10:00 – 20:00 |
|---|---|
| Last admission | 19:30 |
The Malta National Aquarium stands in Qawra, on the headland of San Pawl il-Baħar in the north of the island, right on the seafront next to Café del Mar, a little further along the promenade from Buġibba Perched Beach.
The aquarium is well connected by bus. From Valletta, route TD13 runs there direct; from Sliema you need one change; from Mellieħa, route 221 is direct.
By car: there is a car park right in front of the aquarium. It is free for visitors as long as you have your ticket validated at reception; otherwise you pay (around €5 for three hours). Free spaces can also be found in the surrounding streets.
By taxi or ride-hailing app: Bolt and eCabs drop you off right at the entrance.
On foot: the aquarium is an easy walk along the seafront from Buġibba or Qawra. You cannot miss it: look for the starfish-shaped dome right next to Café del Mar.
Yes; children are its best audience. The tanks sit at child height, the touchscreens make the visit interactive and the short format keeps boredom at bay. Treat it as an easy family outing rather than a grand day out. A mini tunnel at their level, viewing bubbles to pop their heads into and interactive games round out the route.
Allow 45 minutes to an hour to get round the six zones. Taking time to read the panels and linger in the tunnel can stretch it to an hour and a half.
The underwater tunnel in the tropical oceans zone, where sharks and rays pass overhead. It is the most spectacular and most photogenic moment of the visit.
Yes. Feeding talks run at set times at certain tanks (sharks, rays, piranhas), and a submarine simulator included in the ticket rounds off the route. Ask at the front desk for the day’s schedule when you arrive.
Yes. The route is step-free and served by a lift, so it works with a wheelchair as well as with a pushchair.
Yes. La Nave Bistro sits on the ground floor, and a terrace café makes an easier stop for a drink facing the sea after your visit.
It is not essential, but booking online skips the queue at the entrance and costs about three euros less than the ticket desk. Well worth it on busy days, such as rainy spells and school holidays.
Yes. The tablets, panels and live sessions (feeding talks, behind-the-scenes) are all run in English alongside Maltese, so English speakers get the full educational experience. There is no audio guide, in English or any other language.
No. This is the one and only aquarium in the whole Maltese archipelago, which partly explains how busy it gets.
