St Paul’s Bay: Malta National Aquarium Entry Ticket

Small aquarium, big family appeal. Malta’s National Aquarium gives you an easy way to spend an hour or two with Mediterranean fish, sharks, jellyfish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. The building’s starfish-shaped shell is a fun first look, while the exhibits inside connect marine life with Malta’s past and present.

I especially like the walk-through tunnel, where sharks and larger fish pass above you, and the clear information panels that explain each habitat. The scheduled animal talks add real value, too. The main drawback is size: you can walk through the attraction in about 30 minutes if you move quickly, so the $20 ticket feels better value when you slow down, read the displays, and catch a feeding or talk.

The aquarium works best as a flexible St Paul’s Bay activity rather than a full-day attraction. I would allow one and a half to two hours, with extra time for the café, gift shop, outdoor area, or the Malta-themed displays upstairs.

Five things to know before you go

• The main tank has a walk-through tunnel: Look up for sharks and larger fish moving above you.
• You’ll see more than fish: The collection includes jellyfish, reptiles, frogs, insects, freshwater species, and saltwater life.
• The building follows a Malta theme: Tank areas are designed around local historical landmarks.
• Talks can make the visit much better: Shark and piranha feeding sessions, along with animal presentations, add action and useful detail.
• Plan for a compact attraction: Some visitors finish in 30 minutes, while careful readers and families can spend two hours or more.

Arriving at the starfish-shaped building

You begin at the Malta National Aquarium in St Paul’s Bay. The building itself helps set the mood. Its unusual starfish-shaped shell feels more playful than a standard museum entrance, which suits the family focus.

The ticket is for entry only. This is not a guided tour, so you can move at your own pace. That freedom matters here because the experience can feel quite different depending on how you visit. A fast walk takes around 30 minutes for some people. If you stop at each information panel, watch the animals, and fit in a talk, two hours is more realistic.

The aquarium is wheelchair accessible, and the ticket can be used within a 180-day validity period, subject to available times. You start the activity at the aquarium itself, so there is no separate meeting point or group departure to find.

Following Malta through the aquarium

The displays are arranged around Malta’s historical landmarks, giving the aquarium more local character than a simple row of unrelated tanks. Each section aims to recreate the natural underwater setting of the species inside.

That approach is useful because it gives you a reason to pay attention to the surroundings, not just the animals. You may notice differences between freshwater and saltwater habitats, then see how the tank design supports the needs of each species.

There are 51 display tanks and more than 250 species. That is a respectable collection, but you should keep your expectations in check. This is not one of Europe’s enormous aquarium complexes. A few visitors found the range of fish varieties limited, while others felt the selection was broad enough for a satisfying visit.

I think the aquarium’s strength is variety across animal groups. You are not looking only at fish. Reptiles, frogs, jellyfish, amphibians, and insects help keep the route interesting, especially for children who may lose patience with a long series of similar tanks.

The main tank and walk-through tunnel

The walk-through tunnel is the aquarium’s most memorable feature. Here, larger fish and sharks move above you, creating the classic aquarium moment that works for both children and adults.

The tunnel is not enormous, but it gives the visit a clear focal point. If you are visiting with a young child, this is the place to slow down and look upward. It also provides good photo opportunities, although flash photography is not allowed.

The tunnel can become difficult to enjoy when the aquarium is crowded. The route is compact, and people may gather at the best viewing points. Arriving close to opening time may help, since the aquarium can become busy soon after it opens.

Take your time here. Let the crowd move on, then watch the tank for a few minutes. The value comes from observing the animals rather than simply passing underneath them.

Jellyfish, reptiles, frogs, and unusual smaller displays

The aquarium includes a broad mix of marine and land based animals. Jellyfish add movement and soft colour to the route, while the reptile and amphibian sections give you a change from the large fish tanks.

The frog selection may feel modest. One visitor specifically wished for more frogs, so this is not the place to visit if amphibians are your main interest. The same applies to the fish collection: you will see many species, but some larger aquariums offer more variety.

The smaller displays are still useful for families. Children often respond well to animals that look and behave differently from fish. The insects and reptiles also support the aquarium’s educational purpose by showing that conservation covers more than open water and coral reefs.

The information panels are detailed and thorough. If you enjoy reading about habitats, feeding, and threats to wildlife, you can stretch the visit well beyond an hour. If you prefer a quick visual attraction, the written material may feel like more than you need.

Talks and feeding sessions worth timing

The scheduled talks are one of the best ways to get more from the entry ticket. The education team explains the animals with energy, and the presentations are aimed at making the subject clear rather than overly academic.

The shark feeding session can be especially rewarding. Staff have directed families to the feeding at short notice when it was about to begin, and the close view of the sharks gives the main tank extra life. Piranha feeding is another useful session, particularly if you want to see behaviour rather than static displays.

Talks about individual animals can also add warmth to the visit. One presentation about Casper was singled out as enjoyable, and the staff are praised for being friendly and enthusiastic.

I would check the schedule when you arrive. The exact talk times are not provided in the ticket details, so you should not assume every session will run at the same time each day. If you arrive just before a feeding, adjust your route and attend it first. That small bit of planning can turn a short visit into a much fuller one.

A guided tour is not included. If you want detailed explanations throughout the aquarium, you may find the self-guided format less satisfying. The talks partly fill that gap, but they do not replace a private guide.

The submarine simulation and extra interactive touches

Several visitors enjoyed the submarine simulation, which presents a short experience involving a crashing submarine and a journey to the bottom of the ocean. Another interactive feature gives you a brief pressure chamber experience.

These additions help break up the exhibit route. They are not the main reason to buy the ticket, but they give children and adults something active to do between tanks. Families with younger children may find them especially useful when attention starts to fade.

The aquarium also has other interactive points, though the ticket information does not list every one. You might find the experience more engaging if you take part in these features instead of treating the visit as a simple walk from tank to tank.

Do not expect a major theme park ride. The submarine element is a small simulation, not a separate full-scale attraction. Still, it adds a bit of fun and helps explain the underwater theme in a direct way.

Conservation information with a local purpose

The aquarium is not only about looking at attractive animals. Its displays explain the human activities that threaten marine habitats and introduce the need for environmental awareness and responsibility.

This gives the visit a useful local angle. Malta is surrounded by the Mediterranean, so the focus on marine habitats feels connected to the place you are visiting rather than added as a general museum message.

I appreciate that the aquarium places conservation beside the animal displays. You can first see a species in a recreated habitat, then consider what damages that habitat. For children, this can make a broad subject easier to understand.

The conservation material may be more valuable to adults and older children than to very young visitors. If your child is too young to read, you will get more from the talks and the live animals than from the information panels.

How long to allow, and when crowds matter

The stated duration is 180 days, which refers to ticket validity, not the time spent inside. For the visit itself, allow at least one hour if you want to see the main route without rushing.

I would plan on 90 minutes for a normal visit and two hours if you read the panels, attend a presentation, and spend time in the tunnel. Families often take longer because children stop at interactive points and return to favourite tanks.

Some people move through in about 30 minutes. That is possible, especially if you do not read much or wait for talks. If you are judging the $20 price purely by minutes inside, the aquarium may feel expensive. If you treat it as an educational outing with scheduled activities and an on-site café, the value improves.

Crowding is the main practical issue. The aquarium can become busy, and narrow viewing areas may make it hard to see certain tanks. One visitor found the atmosphere noisy, while another described a visit becoming stressful when people pushed ahead at viewing points.

For a calmer experience, I would arrive near opening time. If the aquarium is busy, pause in less crowded areas and return to the popular tanks later.

Café, gift shop, and nearby add-ons

The aquarium has a café and a gift shop, making it easy to extend the outing without planning another stop. The café has received very positive comments for its food, while the shop sells souvenirs such as magnets, bracelets, and animal toys.

Keep an eye on extra costs. A printed photo may cost €7, so ask about prices before ordering if you are trying to keep spending under control. The ticket includes aquarium entry only, not food, souvenirs, photos, a guided tour, or a behind-the-scenes visit.

A separate upper floor includes information and artifacts connected with Malta and objects found from the sea. This adds a local culture element and helps the aquarium feel like more than a single underground route.

The surrounding area also gives you room to continue your day. There is a park outside, and buses run along the road. One account put McDonald’s at about a 15-minute walk, while a taxi from St Julian’s was reported at around €15. Treat those figures as useful examples rather than fixed prices, since transport costs and traffic can change.

Is the $20 ticket good value?

At $20 per person, the ticket is fairly priced for a compact family attraction, but value depends on how you use it. A quick 30-minute visit can feel short. A carefully paced visit with talks, feeding sessions, the tunnel, interactive features, and the Malta displays gives you much more for the money.

The strongest value comes from the clean presentation and helpful staff. The facility is regularly described as tidy, well cared for, and easy to navigate. Staff have helped families find shark feedings and have answered questions in a friendly way.

The weakest point is the limited scale. If you have visited very large aquariums, you may wish for more tanks and more fish varieties. You should book this for a pleasant half-day activity, not as the main attraction of your Malta holiday.

Flexible booking helps if your plans may shift. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the visit for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. The ticket is wheelchair accessible. Flash photography, alcohol, drugs, and pets are not allowed.

Who will enjoy Malta National Aquarium most?

I would recommend this aquarium to families with young children, couples looking for a quiet indoor activity, and anyone staying near St Paul’s Bay. It is also a useful choice when you want a break from outdoor sightseeing.

Children who like sharks, fish, reptiles, or hands-on exhibits should have plenty to catch their attention. The submarine simulation and feeding sessions are especially helpful for keeping a young audience interested.

Adults can enjoy it too, particularly if you like reading detailed habitat information or attending animal talks. The visit has enough educational content to avoid feeling like a simple photo stop.

I would be more cautious if you are an experienced aquarium enthusiast seeking a huge collection. You may find the attraction too small, and the fish variety may not match larger facilities. In that case, the ticket makes sense only if you already plan to be in St Paul’s Bay or want a short, easy outing.

Should you book this aquarium visit?

Book it if you want a clean, friendly, family-focused attraction with a strong tunnel, useful talks, and a good mix of marine and land animals. Arrive early, ask about feeding times, and allow at least 90 minutes so you do not judge the experience too quickly.

Skip it if you expect a massive aquarium or want a fully guided tour included. At $20, the visit is best value when you read the displays, attend a talk, and use the extra interactive features. For a relaxed afternoon in St Paul’s Bay, it is a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where is Malta National Aquarium located?

It is located in St Paul’s Bay, Malta. You start the activity at the aquarium itself.

How much does entry cost?

The listed price is $20 per person.

How long does a visit take?

The aquarium can take about 30 minutes if you move quickly. Allow around one and a half to two hours if you read the displays, watch talks, and stop at the exhibits carefully.

How many tanks are inside?

There are 51 display tanks.

What animals can I see?

You can see more than 250 species, including Mediterranean and other freshwater and saltwater fish, jellyfish, reptiles, amphibians, frogs, and insects.

Is there a walk-through tunnel?

Yes. The main tank includes a walk-through tunnel where you can see larger fish and sharks above you.

Is a guided tour included?

No. The ticket includes entry to the aquarium only. Scheduled talks take place, but a guided tour is not included.

Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The attraction is wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel my ticket?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The ticket also offers a reserve now and pay later option, and it is valid for 180 days subject to availability.