Aquarium Donostia - a group of people standing in front of a large aquarium
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Aquarium Donostia

4.4
·15k reviews·Donostia, Spain

Spain's oldest aquarium, blending fascinating marine life with centuries of naval history in a stunning harbor setting.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Fewer school groups

CrowdLow
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Aquarium Donostia - a group of people standing in front of a large aquarium

Aquarium Donostia

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Fewer school groups

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Spain's oldest aquarium, blending fascinating marine life with centuries of naval history in a stunning harbor setting.

4.4
(15k reviews)

"A fabulous museum and aquarium, so much more than we expected!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Arrive Early to Beat Queues

Get in line before opening to avoid long waits, especially on busy days.

🚶‍♀️ Explore Naval History First

Start with the maritime museum exhibits before diving into the aquarium.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The 360° Tunnel

The 360° Tunnel

Main Aquarium Tank

Walk through a glass tunnel as sharks and fish swim all around you. A truly immersive experience!

Instagram
Maritime History Exhibits

Maritime History Exhibits

Upper Floors

Explore centuries of naval history, from ancient seafaring to local fishing traditions.

Instagram
Regional Marine Life

Regional Marine Life

Various Tanks

Discover diverse species native to the Bay of Biscay and surrounding waters.

Instagram
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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Crowds

Visit early in the morning, especially on weekdays, to avoid the biggest crowds. The aquarium can get busy, particularly with families and school groups. Arriving right at opening time is your best bet for a more relaxed experience. TikTok

Combine with Harbor Exploration

Aquarium Donostia is perfectly situated by the harbor, making it easy to combine with a stroll along the waterfront or a visit to the Old Town. Consider it a great option for a rainy day in San Sebastián. Reddit

Best Times

When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Fewer school groups
Crowd
Low
When
Rainy Days
Why
Perfect indoor escape
Crowd
Medium
When
Weekends
Why
Family fun time
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Come visit Aquarium of the Bay @Aquarium of the Bay at Pier 39 @PIER 39 in San Francisco, California! I saw so many beautiful creatures and learned about conservation efforts we can make to protect them 🦦 Meeting this playful Bat Ray was the highlight of my experience! He was so adorable, splashing around and wanting attention! @Pixar @Disney can we please see a movie starring this Bat Ray from ...
@christinekim.crea
163.5K likes • 1M views

🎯 Arrive Early to Beat Queues

Get in line before opening to avoid long waits, especially on busy days. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Explore Naval History First

Start with the maritime museum exhibits before diving into the aquarium. Reddit

Perfect plan for a cloudy/rainy day in Barcelona ☁️ visit this aquarium 🦈🐟 #barcelonamustsee #barcelonarainydays #coolthingstodoinbarcelona #thingstodoinbarcelona #barcelonaaquarium #barcelonaguide #barcelonalocal #barcelonatips #barcelonaplans #barcelonahiddengems
@ordatwins
126.7K likes • 1.5M views
El @aquariumss de Donostia es el más antiguo de España (se inauguró en 1928). La visita incluye el Museo de los 700 años de Historia Naval. Actualmente cuenta con: ✅ Un gran acuario de 30 metros de largo, 16 de ancho y 8 de profundidad y 1.800.000 litros de agua atravesado por un túnel acristalado de 360º. ✅ Más de 5.000 peces y 11 nuevos acuarios tropicales ✅ Un manglar de 18 metros de longitud ...
palabrademadre
926 likes • 14.9K views

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kid-Friendly Fun

Great for families; exhibits are multilingual and engaging for all ages. Reddit

📍 Convenient Harbor Location

Easy to combine with a walk along the bay or exploring the Old Town. Reddit

Aquarium Donostia, ideal para ir en familia o con amigos! 🐟🦑🪸 Es el 2º museo más visitado de todo el País Vasco con 340.000 visitantes anuales, sólo por detrás de Guggenheim. Es el Aquarium más antiguo de España y el 2º de Europa. ¡No solo hay peces! El Aquarium intenta contextualizar la historia marítima y marina de San Sebastián y Guipuzkoa. El precio de la entrada: Adultos 14€ Niños 7€ Des...
rincones_vascos
338 likes • 11.6K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Arrive Early to Beat Queues

Get in line before opening to avoid long waits, especially on busy days. Reddit

🚶‍♀️ Explore Naval History First

Start with the maritime museum exhibits before diving into the aquarium. Reddit

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Kid-Friendly Fun

Great for families; exhibits are multilingual and engaging for all ages. Reddit

📍 Convenient Harbor Location

Easy to combine with a walk along the bay or exploring the Old Town. Reddit

⏳ Allow 1-2 Hours

Sufficient time to see everything without feeling rushed. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.4
(15k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Aquarium Donostia for its engaging exhibits, particularly the immersive 360° tunnel and the informative maritime history section. It's considered a well-maintained, fairly priced attraction suitable for all ages, especially families. While not the largest aquarium, its unique blend of marine life and local history makes it a highly recommended stop in San Sebastián, especially for a rainy day. Reddit

"⸻

The Aquarium in San Sebastián is well worth a visit, especially if you’re with kids. The exhibits are informative and well laid out, with a mix of history and marine life. The highlight is the glass tunnel where fish and sharks swim around you, which keeps both children and adults impressed. It’s not a huge aquarium, but it’s well maintained and easy to walk through in about 1–2 hours. Ticket prices are fair for what you get, and the location by the harbor makes it convenient to include in a day of exploring the city."

M Shefketova

"I haven’t gone to an aquarium in forever— and this place makes me want to visit my local ones again. The sharks repeatedly swam over the tunnel they have here, allowing us the get a close up view of their fins,teeth,gills, and eyes! It was so cool. Definitely recommend visiting."

Smarty Pants

"We had a great visit here with the kids, the staff and displays are multilingual which makes it really accessible for all. I love that there is a maritime museum section at the start with local history and even pirate sections.

The aquarium is a good size with lots of variation, enough to keep the kids engaged for at least an hour. The gift shop was good not too overpriced and the staff are friendly.

All in all it is well worth adding this as a detour if visiting the local area, I will say we went for opening, by the time we finished there were big queues. Buying tickets in advance won't help as you still have to join the queue to validate them.

So to avoid disappointment I would recommend getting in early."

James Davis

What People Like

Immersive 360° tunnel
Maritime history exhibits
Family-friendly atmosphere

What People Dislike

Can get crowded
No extensive dining

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Aquarium Donostia is located in the port area of San Sebastián, easily accessible by foot from the city center and Old Town. Several bus lines also stop nearby. If driving, parking can be found in nearby public car parks, though it can be expensive. Reddit

Yes, the aquarium is generally accessible for wheelchairs, with ramps and elevators available. The naval museum section on the upper floors is also accessible. Reddit

Opening hours can vary seasonally, but it's typically open daily from morning to early evening. It's best to check the official website for the most up-to-date hours before your visit. TikTok

Yes, photography is generally allowed inside the aquarium for personal use. However, flash photography might be restricted in certain areas to protect the marine life. Instagram

There are several public parking garages near the aquarium, such as the Parking La Concha or Parking Kursaal. Be aware that parking in San Sebastián can be costly. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices are considered fair for the experience. While buying tickets in advance doesn't let you skip the queue to validate them, it can save time on the day. Reddit

While you can purchase tickets at the entrance, it's often recommended to check if online booking is available for convenience, though it may not allow you to bypass the validation queue. Reddit

Discounts are typically available for children and sometimes for seniors or groups. It's advisable to check the official website or inquire at the ticket counter for specific pricing details. Instagram

Booking in advance is not strictly necessary as you still need to queue to validate tickets. However, arriving early is the best strategy to avoid long lines. Reddit

To avoid crowds, aim to purchase your tickets right when the aquarium opens. This allows you to enter and explore before the peak visitor times. TikTok

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The main attractions include the impressive 360° glass tunnel with sharks and fish, diverse regional marine life exhibits, and the historical maritime museum. InstagramReddit

Most visitors spend about 1 to 2 hours exploring the aquarium and the naval museum. It's a well-maintained and manageable size. Reddit

Yes, the exhibits are designed to be accessible and are often multilingual, making them understandable for a wide range of visitors. Reddit

You can see a variety of fish, sharks, and other marine creatures native to the Bay of Biscay, as well as some exotic species. Instagram

Yes, there is a gift shop at the end of the visit, offering souvenirs and marine-themed items. It's noted as not being overly overpriced. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

While there isn't extensive dining within the aquarium itself, there are usually vending machines or a small snack area. However, the surrounding harbor and Old Town offer numerous restaurants and cafes. Reddit

Generally, bringing outside food and drinks might be restricted. It's best to consume your meals before entering or plan to dine at nearby establishments. Reddit

The area around the port and the nearby Old Town (Parte Vieja) are packed with excellent pintxos bars and restaurants, offering everything from fresh seafood to traditional Basque cuisine. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

The 360° tunnel offers incredible photo opportunities with sharks and fish swimming around you. The tanks with vibrant coral and diverse species are also great for capturing memorable shots. Instagram

Flash photography is often discouraged or prohibited in aquarium settings to avoid disturbing the marine life. It's best to rely on natural light or your camera's low-light settings. Instagram

A camera with good low-light performance or a smartphone with a capable night mode will be beneficial. A wide-angle lens can be useful for capturing the scale of the tanks and the tunnel. Instagram

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Aquarium Donostia is a fantastic destination for families. The multilingual exhibits ensure that children of all backgrounds can learn and enjoy. Reddit The 360° tunnel is a guaranteed hit, providing endless fascination as sharks and fish swim overhead. Instagram Beyond the marine life, the maritime museum offers engaging historical displays that can spark curiosity about seafaring adventures. Instagram Plan to arrive early to avoid the biggest crowds and make the most of your visit. TikTokReddit

🏛️ History Buffs

For those interested in history, Aquarium Donostia offers a rich dive into the region's past. As Spain's oldest aquarium, it boasts a fascinating naval museum detailing centuries of maritime history. Instagram+1 Explore exhibits on local fishing traditions and the evolution of seafaring. The architecture itself, inspired by the Monte Carlo aquarium, is a historical artifact. Instagram It's a unique opportunity to connect the natural world with human endeavors at sea. Reddit

🌧️ Rainy Day Explorers

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

A Glimpse into History: The Oldest Aquarium

Aquarium Donostia holds the distinction of being the oldest aquarium in Spain, inaugurated in 1928. Instagram It was even designed as a nod to the aquarium in Monte Carlo, showcasing early architectural influences in marine exhibition design. Instagram This historical significance adds another layer to the visitor experience, connecting the present-day marvels of marine life with a rich past of seafaring and naval exploration. The upper floors of the aquarium are dedicated to a maritime museum, detailing 700 years of naval history, complete with model boats and exhibits on local fishing traditions. InstagramReddit

This blend of natural history and human history makes Aquarium Donostia more than just a place to see fish; it's a journey through the relationship between the Basque people and the sea. Visitors often remark on how well-integrated these historical elements are, providing context and depth to the marine exhibits. Reddit It's a unique approach that sets it apart from many modern aquariums, offering a comprehensive look at the region's maritime heritage. Instagram

The Star Attraction: The 360° Tunnel

The undisputed highlight for most visitors at Aquarium Donostia is the 360° glass tunnel. Instagram This immersive experience allows you to walk through the main aquarium tank, surrounded by a vast array of marine life. Sharks, rays, and countless species of fish glide past, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Reddit The sheer scale of the tank, holding 1,800,000 liters of water, combined with the transparent tunnel, provides an unparalleled sense of being underwater. Instagram

Travelers consistently rave about the close-up views of sharks, noting their fins, teeth, and gills as they swim overhead. Reddit This feature is particularly captivating for children, keeping them engaged and amazed for a significant portion of the visit. Reddit It’s moments like these, where you feel so close to these magnificent creatures, that make the visit truly memorable and often inspire a renewed appreciation for marine conservation. TikTok

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