A great advantage of living in a city like Berlin is the vast amount of different activities the city has to offer. If you like animals for example, you can choose between two large zoos and several aquariums. When it comes to a traditional zoo, we prefer the Tierpark Berlin in the east. But if you are looking for an aquarium there is only one place to go: The Aquarium Berlin at Zoologischer Garten.

The largest fish in the Aquarium Berlin
One of the largest fish in the Aquarium Berlin

What to expect in the Aquarium Berlin

The Aquarium Berlin was built in 1913 as part of the zoo in the west of the city. This indoor location offer visitors three floors with more than 9000 different animals.

  • The ground floor is dedicated to fish. In 250 fish tanks you can see jellyfish, sharks and other fish in all sizes and colours. Some of the fish are more than 2 meters long and very impressive.
  • On first floor shows visitors the world of reptiles. It’s a lot of fun to try and find the hidden geckos or chameleons. If you liked the Natural History Museum, you will love this floor too.
  • The second floor shows visitors all sorts of curious creatures. From poisonous frogs to a colony of ants and a black widow spider.
Jellyfish Aquarium Berlin
Jellyfish
Aquarium Berlin Chameleon
Chameleon

A great activity for kids

Children love animals. Our son had a great time with the fish in the open tanks. He was trying to pet them and was describing the different gold fish there were. On the first and second floor we love to play a game in which we try to find the hidden animals first. All in all the Aquarium Berlin is a great activity for children of all ages.

Children love the fish in the open tanks
Children love the fish in the open tanks

Practical information

When you are planning to visit the Aquarium Berlin, you might want to know some practical information in advance. You came to the right place, have a look below:

Ticket-prices

An entrance-ticket to the Aquarium Berlin costs 16€. Children between 4-15 years pay 8€ and smaller children can access for free. Most people buy a combi-ticket for both the Zoo and the Aquarium because this only costs a bit more (22€). All information about tickets here.

How to get there

The Aquarium Berlin is located on walking distance of the station Zoologischer Garten. You will first see the entrance of the Zoo itself and you also have to buy your tickets here. Then you can walk a bit further and you will get to the entrance of the Aquarium.

Opening Hours

The Aquarium Berlin is open every day of the year from 9 in the morning till 6 in the evening. The last admission is at 5 o’clock so make sure you reach the entrance before that. The only exception to the rule above is Christmas Eve: On the 24th of December the Aquarium closes at 2PM.

Aquarium Berlin with Children
Aquarium Berlin with Children

Frequently asked questions + Practical Information

How much time do I need for a visit of the Aquarium Berlin?

You should plan a stay at the Aquarium Berlin of about 1,5 hours. There are three different floors and obviously it depends how carefully you read all descriptions of the animals. But on average people spend between 1 and 2 hours here. It’s great to sit down with kids at the open waters where they can “play” with the fish.

What is the best time to visit the Aquarium Berlin?

Looking for the best day and time to visit the Aquarium Berlin? The best days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The best time is early in the morning (e.g. 9:00-11:00) or late in the afternoon (e.g. 16:00-18:00). As long as you visit the Aquarium during the week, any time is fine but during the weekends you want to avoid visiting between 11.00 and 15.00.

Is there a restaurant to eat something during my stay?

On the first floor of the Aquarium Berlin you can find a cafetaria. They offer a variety of food and drinks and also have about 10-15 tables for people to sit. If you plan to visit the Aquarium during lunch-time, I would definitely recommend testing the food here.

The restaurant on the first floor
The restaurant on the first floor

Should I visit Sea Life or Aquarium Berlin?

We recommend visiting the Aquarium Berlin more than Sea Life. There is just way more to see at the Aquarium. Not only more fish but also more other animals. The entrance-prices are similar so you just get more value for your money. The only thing which speaks for Sea Life is the very central location (Alexanderplatz).

Our rating + summary

We have compared the Aquarium to activities like Little Big City, Labyrinth Children Museum and the Tierpark Berlin. Although it’s not the cheapest activity, it’s a lot of fun and if you choose a combi-ticket with the Zoo you will easily spend half a day in both attractions.

Our summary in a nutshell:

Fun for kids 2-6 Years: 8/10
Fun for kids 6-10 Years: 8/10
Fun for parents: 8/10
Price: Acceptable (16€)
Expected time: 1,5 hours
Overall rating:
 8/10

Author

My Name is Job and originally from the Netherlands. In 2012, a girl I met in Australia motivated me to move to Berlin. I love to share the best places, activities and events in Berlin with you on my blog.

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