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Best aquarium destinations in Europe

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Genoa
Maritime grandeur and winding alleys
7.1
Genoese people dip focaccia into their morning cappuccino. Try the habit at a bakery near the Porto Antico harbour. The nearby aquarium opened in 1992 for the 500th anniversary of Columbus's voyage. Renzo Piano designed it. Dolphins and seals live in its big pools. The harbour is a short walk from the old town.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Explore the UNESCO-listed Palazzi dei Rolli and Via Garibaldi
  • ⛪ Admire the medieval architecture of Genoa Cathedral
  • 🚢 Visit the historic Porto Antico waterfront and explore the old docks
London
A Tapestry of History and Modernity
9.2
The aquarium is older than the London Eye next door. It opened in 1997 and the Eye opened to the public in 2000. County Hall, built in 1922, houses its tanks on the South Bank. Sharks, rays and gentoo penguins are among the animals. Westminster Bridge is right beside the building.
Highlights:
  • 🎖️ Watch the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace
  • 🎡 Ride the London Eye for sweeping Thames views
  • 👑 See the Crown Jewels inside the Tower of London
Barcelona
Vibrant City of Art and Beaches
9.1
The old harbour at Port Vell is a short walk from La Rambla. L'Aquàrium de Barcelona is on a pier there. An 80 metre glass tunnel runs through its big Oceanarium tank. Sand tiger sharks and large rays glide overhead. The waterfront outside has a boardwalk and seafood restaurants.
Highlights:
  • 🚶🏻 Stroll down La Rambla and feel the city’s buzz
  • 🌈 Wander through Park Güell’s colorful mosaic terraces
  • ⛪ Admire Gaudí’s masterpiece, the Sagrada Família up close
Bergen
The gateway to the fjords
8.0
Rain falls on Bergen on more than 200 days a year, so an indoor day is easy to plan. The aquarium on the Nordnes peninsula opened in 1960. Sea lions and penguins have outdoor pools by the water. Their feeding shows draw a crowd. Walking from the Fish Market takes about 15 minutes.
Highlights:
  • 🐟 Visit the lively Fish Market and taste local seafood
  • 🏘️ Stroll through Bryggen’s colorful wooden Hanseatic Wharf
  • 🚡 Ride the Fløibanen funicular for stunning views over Bergen
Valencia
Sunlit Shores and Rich Culture
8.2
L'Oceanogràfic is the biggest aquarium in Europe. It is part of the City of Arts and Sciences, a short ride from the old town. Belugas, dolphins and walruses live in its outdoor pools. A tunnel passes beneath sharks and rays. Diners at the Submarino restaurant eat beside a huge tank.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Explore Valencia’s historic Old Town and Valencia Cathedral
  • 🏖️ Relax on the golden sands of Malvarrosa Beach
  • 🏙️ Admire futuristic architecture at the City of Arts and Sciences
National Aquarium Denmark
Northern Europe’s Marine Marvel
Den Blå Planet looks like a whirlpool from above and opened in 2013 near Copenhagen Airport. Its biggest tank holds hammerhead sharks and rays. Other halls cover Amazon rivers and coral reefs. A metro station is next to the entrance. Trains from the city centre take about 15 minutes.
Highlights:
  • 🦀 Get hands-on with starfish and crabs at touch pools
  • 🐦 Explore the lush Rainforest with exotic birds and reptiles
  • 🦈 Marvel at sharks and rays in the massive Ocean Tank
Oceanário de Lisboa
Europe’s Stunning Marine Wonderland
Soft blue light ripples across a central tank that holds about 5 million liters of seawater. Sharks, rays and ocean sunfish share it. Four outer habitats show the Atlantic, Antarctic, Pacific and Indian oceans. The aquarium opened for Expo 98. A metro stop called Oriente is a short walk away.
Highlights:
  • 🐧 Spot playful sea otters and penguins during feeding time
  • 🌌 Admire the mesmerizing jellyfish exhibit glowing in the dark
  • 🦈 Walk beneath massive tanks as sharks and rays glide overhead
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
Marine Wonders Clifftop Museum
Prince Albert I opened this museum in 1910 on a cliff above the sea. The prince was a serious ocean scientist. Jacques Cousteau led the museum from 1957 to 1988. Today it has a shark lagoon and a rooftop terrace with sea views. Most of Monaco is within walking distance.
Highlights:
  • 📜 Visit the historic oceanography exhibition rooms
  • 🐢 Discover sea turtles’ journey in outdoor Odyssey exhibit
  • 🦈 Explore the stunning shark lagoon and coral reef
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