Palma Aquarium is the island’s best rainy-day plan for families, and it is good enough to justify a visit in sunshine too. It sits on the eastern side of the bay near Can Pastilla and the Playa de Palma, and holds around 8,000 animals from more than 700 species across six zones, starting with the Mediterranean that surrounds the island and moving out to tropical seas. The highlight is the huge shark tank, which the aquarium bills as the deepest in Europe, where sharks and rays glide past a wide viewing window. There is also a tropical jungle section with a waterfall, a coral farm, touch pools and gardens with a children’s play area built around a pirate ship. For an extra fee you can add the Aquadome, an immersive 3D cinema with whales, and for divers there is a shark-tank dive experience. The Tiqets skip-the-line ticket lets you walk straight in.
How it works: the aquarium is about fifteen minutes by taxi from the old town, or reachable by city bus 15 from the centre. Book the skip-the-line ticket and choose whether to add the Aquadome. In the low season it opens daily from the morning, closing in mid-afternoon on weekdays and later at weekends, so arrive by late morning to see everything.
What to expect: plan two and a half to three hours. Indoor halls alternate with outdoor gardens, and some play areas are summer-only. Weekends and wet days are the busiest times, and school groups often visit on weekday mornings.
Making the most of it: start with the Mediterranean halls, which explain the sea you have been swimming in, and save the shark tank for when the crowds thin. The Playa de Palma promenade is a short walk away for a stroll afterwards, and combined tickets on Tiqets pair the aquarium with the cathedral and the sightseeing bus if you want a fuller day in the city.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk through six indoor and outdoor zones, from Mediterranean tanks and a jungle to the giant shark tank.
Best time
Late morning on a weekday, after school groups have moved through, or the first slot on a rainy weekend.
How long
Two and a half to three hours.
Tips
Book skip-the-line entry, decide on the Aquadome in advance and note the earlier weekday closing time in the low season.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families, and anyone looking for a rainy-day plan near Palma.
- Families
- The shark tank, touch pools, jungle and pirate-ship playground make it the island’s top indoor day out for children.
- Couples
- Worth it for the shark tank and the jungle, especially when the weather turns.
- Pair with
- A walk along the Playa de Palma promenade, or the cathedral using a combined ticket.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
How big is Palma Aquarium?+
It holds around 8,000 animals from more than 700 species across six zones. The shark tank is billed as the deepest in Europe.
How do I get to Palma Aquarium?+
It is near Can Pastilla on the east side of the bay, about fifteen minutes by taxi from the centre. City bus 15 also runs there from the centre.
Is Palma Aquarium open in winter?+
Yes, it opens every day year-round. In the low season it closes in mid-afternoon on weekdays and a little later at weekends.
What is the Aquadome?+
It is an immersive 3D cinema with a whale film, offered as an optional add-on. You can choose it when you book.
Can you dive with sharks at Palma Aquarium?+
Yes, a shark-tank dive is offered as a separate experience for certified divers. It must be booked in advance.
