The Malta National Aquarium is Malta’s largest aquarium, set on the Qawra seafront in St Paul’s Bay. It suits families and anyone after an easy marine fix, but you will enjoy it most early morning or late afternoon.
The building is shaped like a stylized starfish, a landmark on the promenade that makes it easy to spot from the water’s edge. Inside, the route is a straightforward loop past themed tanks and a central showpiece. The main tank is 12 m in diameter and anchors the circuit with rays, larger fish and a theatrical view as you move around. It is viewed from an under-gallery walkway, which gives you that wraparound, underwater feel without a long tunnel. With 51 tanks on display and a compact footprint, you can see a lot without feeling rushed, and it remains one of the most visited attractions in Malta.
What is it in practice? Think a modern, family-first aquarium opened on 1 October 2013 after two years of construction, managed by the Malta Tourism Authority with about 49% of the project funded by the EU. Exhibits range well beyond fish, taking in molluscs, reptiles, amphibians, insects and jellyfish, and you will likely spot familiar favourites such as cat sharks, clownfish, octopus and delicate jellyfish drifting under low light.
Who is it best for? Families with young children and anyone looking for a short, dry break from the sun. There is a children play area and a restaurant on site, which makes it easy to build a half-day around naps and meals. If you are really here for wild Maltese water, pick a different day and head for a swim at mellieha bay or golden bay ghajn tuffieha, try cliffside bathing at st peters pool, or go all in with tanks and wrecks at cirkewwa diving. For boat-and-lagoon colour, save a clear day for the blue lagoon comino or the caves near the blue grotto.
Location and how to get there: the aquarium sits in Qawra, part of San Pawl il-Baħar, right on the seafront promenade. The nearest bus stop is called Ben, which drops you a short stroll from the entrance. If you are staying along the Bugibba–Qawra waterfront, it is an easy seaside walk. Drivers should arrive early in peak season to avoid circling for a space along the coast road.
Opening hours, seasons and last entry: Opening hours vary by season and it operates year-round. From 1 January to 14 March it opens 10:00–18:00. Last admission is 17:30 from 1 January to 14 March. From 15 March to 31 October it opens 10:00–20:00. Last admission is 19:30 from 15 March to 31 October. Check the daily timetable, especially around public holidays or maintenance. There can be reduced hours or closures on public holidays or during maintenance.
Admission and value: prices change with season and offers, so check the official listing before you go. Many online tickets include free cancellation, handy if you are waiting to see how the weather plays out.
What it is actually like inside: after a bright, open foyer the path winds through darkened galleries that set the mood without being too intense for smaller kids. Most tanks are at child height and there is space to pull back from the glass when it gets busy. Audio is kept to a low murmur so you can focus on the displays, and the central tank draws people forward, which helps the flow.
Pools, tanks and species: you will move past a series of habitats in quick succession rather than long dwell-time zones, which keeps the pace up. Expect fish, molluscs, reptiles, amphibians, insects and jellyfish along the route, with regular stops for crowd-pleasers like clownfish and octopus. More than 175 species are on display, so if you like to read every panel give yourself time to circle back at the end.
Facilities, accessibility and kids: there is a children play area that breaks up the circuit for little legs, and a restaurant for a sit-down breather. Toilets and baby-changing are clearly signed from the main route. If you are visiting with a buggy, plan your visit for the first or last slot of the day to avoid bottlenecks around the central viewing points.
Where to eat: the on-site restaurant is the simplest option if you want to keep the day contained. If you prefer to choose something else, the Qawra seafront immediately around the aquarium has alternatives within a few minutes’ walk, and you can always pair your visit with a later meal near popeye village after a coastal drive.
When to avoid it and the best time to go: Peak times are mid-day, peak summer weekends and rainy days, when half the island has the same idea. Aim for early morning or late afternoon to enjoy the tanks with fewer people at the glass. If the forecast looks grim and you are locked to a wet day, book ahead and plan a slow lunch either before or after to dodge the heaviest crowds.
What is actually bookable here
- 1 bookable option via KKday
- about €17 per person at the time of checking
Taken from the operators' own listings, checked 15 September 2026. Ratings are theirs, not ours, and we do not host reviews.
Last checked: 19 October 2026. Prices, opening hours and timetables change, verify anything time-sensitive before you travel. Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0.
