Oceanarium in Valencia a trip to the largest aquarium in Europe

What to do and see in Valencia and how much it costs

• Oceanogràfic Entry Ticket; Explore the largest sea life centre in Europe with an entry ticket to Oceanogràfic. Discover different ocean environments as you marvel at fish, sharks, whales, and other marine species.
• 24 or 48-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Ticket; Explore Valencia in the easiest way, with 24- and 48-hour, hop-on hop-off tickets available to see the sights at your leisure. 
• Bioparc Valencia Admission Ticket; Explore the heart of Africa without leaving Europe with an entrance ticket to Bioparc Valencia.

• Book a hotel at a good price and enjoy the beauty of Valencia.
• Rent a car; The rented car will help you realize travel plans faster and more efficiently.

Entrance to the oceanarium and tropical aquariums

The Oceanarium in Valencia is also home to several shark species, including the hammerhead shark and the reef shark. If you look closely, you may find a carpet shark on the bottom of one of the aquariums, whose remarkable feature is the ability to camouflage among the coral, making it very challenging to spot, but we managed to do it!

In addition to sharks, you will see several species of jellyfish, including the moon jellyfish and the common jellyfish. These creatures are composed of 98 percent water, which is why they move in glass tanks like ghosts and shadows of living beings. In one of the aquariums, we found a very peculiar creature called the fried egg jellyfish! It’s a type of jellyfish, heavy and mobile, a fantastic creature! It’s difficult to stop staring at it.

You will notice that the aquariums and pools in this part of the oceanarium are sandy, shallow, and warm. This is because the creatures living here in their natural environment are found in such places—warm, tropical coastal waters.

The available aquariums are strategically placed so that you can observe the animals living in them directly from above or through glass windows on the lower level. The interior of the building is pleasant, slightly shaded, and colourful, and you can admire the treasures of nature gathered here while moving on escalators.

The Oceanarium in Valencia – Antarctica

Contrary to other parts of the world, the Arctic, specifically the South Pole, is a continent covered with perpetual ice and surrounded by cold seas. This perpetually icy place is located at the southernmost end of our planet and is surrounded by the Antarctic Circle, with the Arctic Ocean surrounding it. The Arctic Ocean is a place where cold currents originate, cooling the entire planet, somewhat like the air conditioning in our homes.

Due to the challenging conditions and extremely low temperatures, the Arctic lacks rich biodiversity. However, the biomass in the form of plankton is abundant in this region.

The most famous inhabitants of this cold and inhospitable land are, of course, penguins, especially the Adélie penguins with their adorable white patches on their head. Penguins are flightless birds that occur only in the Antarctic, although many mistakenly believe they live on both poles.

In the Valencia Oceanarium, a habitat with rocks, a pool, and snowdrifts was constructed for these incredible swimmers. Unfortunately, despite the relatively spacious area, it may not be large enough for these lovely creatures.

Thanks to the immense glass pane, you can observe the life of penguins and follow their daily activities and concerns. By being able to look beneath the water’s surface, you’ll witness what proficient swimmers these amusing animals are.

Moreover, remember that in this part of the Oceanarium, there is an entirely different temperature.

The Oceanarium in Valencia – Arctic

The space is divided into two levels. The first, lower level is an area with enormous ice blocks, where a family of whales lives. Around the glass walls of the habitat, you can stroll and directly observe the whales and the fish swimming in their surroundings.

From the ramp on the higher level, the view is entirely different. From this vantage point, you can watch the massive mammals swimming below, leaving a profound impression and prompting reflection on whether this is a suitable place for these beautiful giants. In an ideal world, these animals would be observed in the Arctic Ocean in their natural environment. Unfortunately, the world we live in still has a long way to go towards perfection.

The beluga whale is a species of marine mammal found in Arctic and subarctic waters. The young of this species, driven by curiosity, occasionally venture to the coasts of the United States. Recently, several of them were observed off Long Island in New York, and they have also appeared in Paris, where they were seen entering the Seine River.

Beluga whales are beautiful creatures that can grow over 4 meters in length. They have rounded heads, resembling dolphins. They are highly intelligent and curious beings, and the white colour of their skin allows them to effectively hide among ice formations.

The Oceanarium in Valencia – Crocodile reserve

The crocodile reserve in the Valencia Oceanarium is an area designated for large and dangerous reptiles. It includes a lake with an area of 450 square meters and over four hundred cubic meters of water.

The crocodile habitat also features a large outdoor space with nooks and fine sand to facilitate the reptiles in building nests. A crocodile nest is approximately one meter in size, and parents typically build it near the water.

The appearance of crocodile eggs is a significant event in Valencia, both for the tourists visiting the Oceanarium and for its staff. The staff does everything to ensure that the adorable eggs hatch into equally adorable, albeit toothy, offspring.

The most important resident of this part of the oceanarium is the slender-snouted crocodile, which as a species prefers rivers but tolerates salty water quite well. In its natural environment, this crocodile species is found in West and Central Africa, and it can also be encountered in Senegal and Mali.

Walking around the crocodile area, I had a momentary impression that these were stuffed creatures merely pretending to be real reptiles, and the Oceanarium staff were laughing heartily at the delighted tourists. This was because crocodiles are very lazy and love basking in the sun, remaining in complete stillness for hours. Eventually, though, one of them blinked, dispelling my doubts.

If you are lucky enough to witness a feeding session, you will realize that the apparent laziness of the crocodiles is a facade, and the reptile lying before you is a real, ruthless predator.

The Oceanarium in Valencia – Dolphinarium

The Valencia Oceanarium boasts the largest dolphinarium in Europe, serving as the home for bottlenose dolphins.

The dolphinarium is immense, comprising five pools, including the main one for observing dolphins, and four pools designated for training, reproduction, and medical care. All the dolphins currently residing in the oceanarium were born here and consider the Valencia Oceanarium their home.

To allow tourists visiting the oceanarium to get closer to these extraordinary animals, understand their abilities, and learn about their biological needs, several dolphin shows are organized daily. During these shows, dolphin caretakers share insights into what needs to be done to protect these incredible creatures from the rapidly changing world and the increasingly harsh human interference in the marine environment.

Bottlenose dolphins are a cosmopolitan species, inhabiting all seas and oceans except for the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Depending on the region they live in, they vary in size, shape, and colour.

The Valencia Oceanarium’s dolphinarium has 1,500 seats, and during the tourist season, all of them are consistently occupied. Therefore, I recommend purchasing oceanarium tickets in advance to ensure your spot.

The Oceanarium in Valencia- Aviary and wetlands

The Bird Sanctuary in the Valencia Oceanarium is a massive sphere standing over 26 meters tall. Inside, you will find two of the most characteristic coastal wetland areas on our planet: mangrove swamps and Mediterranean marshes.

Such areas serve as habitats for hundreds of endemic species of endangered flora and fauna, which now exist only in protected ecosystems and national parks. These places regulate the hydrological cycle, helping filter pollutants, preventing them from reaching groundwater.

All wetland and marsh areas are highly valuable and play a crucial role in the ecology of our planet, so we should take special care of them.

Wetland and marsh areas are transitional zones between land and water, where numerous birds and animals that prefer such environments gather.

In the bird sanctuary of the Valencia Oceanarium, a considerable number of birds, animals, and plants have been gathered, occupying an area that resembles their natural habitat. The birds and animals living there are accustomed to people, so you might be surprised when a powerful bird perches on the fence right next to you, or when a lizard or turtle decides to take a stroll among the strolling tourists.

It’s important not to touch the animals, and feeding them is strictly prohibited!

One of the more interesting inhabitants of the bird habitat in Valencia is the nocturnal species of heron called the Black-crowned Night Heron. It can produce incredible sounds, often reminiscent of a crow’s cry or a stork’s clattering.

The Oceanarium in Valencia – Temperate and tropical area

I particularly enjoyed the part of the Valencia Oceanarium dedicated to life in temperate zones and tropical seas.

These are areas near the equator and extending towards the poles. In tropical seas, the average temperature of surface waters is around 25 degrees Celsius, making them an ideal environment for the development of the greatest biological diversity in the world.

The seas in the temperate zone, where the water temperature hovers around 12 degrees Celsius, are characterized by high plankton productivity, making them biologically significant areas. Many species of marine animals move between both areas, searching for food and for reproductive purposes.

Of course, the majority of inhabitants in these sea regions are fish, with thousands of species that can take on various forms, shapes, and colours. The Oceanarium has gathered numerous species swimming in vast aquariums to the delight of onlookers.

Among children, the Clownfish is particularly popular, a fish no larger than 8 centimetres adorned with yellow and white stripes, known from Pixar’s film “Finding Nemo“.

Other inhabitants of this part of the Valencia Oceanarium include common seals, which, unlike other seals, like to inhabit sheltered beaches, bays, and river estuaries. Therefore, it’s easy to encounter them even in very busy and touristy places.

While strolling among the aquariums, you will see enormous crabs, agile moray eels, the humpbacked Sea Cucumber resembling a human face, miniature sharks, and a multitude of colourful fish.

The Oceanarium in Valencia – Sea lions from South America

In this installation, you will be able to admire sea lions from South America. Like walruses and seals, they belong to the pinniped family, using their broad and flat flippers as paddles for swimming. I must admit they are fantastic swimmers, and at times, it can be challenging to keep up with them visually.

There are fourteen species of sea lions, and in the Valencia Oceanarium, you can observe the life of one of them. The sea lion group lives in a limited but huge area of water, with temperatures adjusted to their requirements.

Male sea lions can reach almost 3 meters in length and weigh over 300 kilograms. They impress with their massive, heavy, and forceful bodies adorned with a large mane of dense hair around their necks.

Soon, a group of oceanic islands will be created in this area, significantly enriching this part of the installation.

The Oceanarium in Valencia – Mediterranean Sea

In the part of the Oceanarium dedicated to the inhabitants of the Mediterranean Sea, representatives of the most commonly encountered fauna and flora of this region have been gathered.

The Mediterranean Sea is isolated from other bodies of water, connected only through the Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar. Additionally, it is not very deep. This unique location has led to the creation of extraordinary and unparalleled ecosystems and immense biological diversity.

This section of the Oceanarium is constructed in a way that, descending deeper beneath the surface, the ecosystem changes. At the top, you can observe life in coastal areas, and at the bottom, you’ll see the deepest abyssal zones.

The most interesting specimens in this habitat include gorgonians, the fluorescent noble penstemon, and the endangered red coral. It’s worth looking for them, as they are rarely encountered in other aquariums.

Octopuses are equally fascinating, with some reaching enormous sizes. Additionally, there are crabs, lobsters, flatfish, sea anemones, and an abundance of fish. The schools of silver fish traversing the vast aquariums in a synchronized, perpetual dance are particularly captivating.

Jellyfish beautiful water creatures

Jellyfish are fascinating creatures, and incredibly beautiful as well. The specimens residing in the Oceanarium in Valencia are distributed across multiple tanks, displaying various shapes and colours.

It’s worth spending some extra time in the jellyfish rooms; their slow movement allows for relaxation and tranquillity.

The Oceanarium in Valencia – Atlantic Ocean

In the Oceanarium in Valencia, the conditions of the waters of the Atlantic Ocean are accurately replicated. When you add a 35-meter-long underwater tunnel connecting the ecosystem of the Canary Islands with the Bermuda Triangle, you get a very interesting underwater world that offers an incredible submarine journey.

Oceans are vast bodies of water inhabited by animals capable of travelling great distances searching for food or a mate, despite the limited nutrients present. In the open waters of the ocean, only those creatures that have adapted to the challenging conditions of this vast aquatic realm can survive.

The oceanic aquarium created in the Oceanarium in Valencia consists of two separate tanks connected by a tunnel. They contain a vast space and several ecosystems, making them one of the largest aquariums in the world.

Some of the most interesting inhabitants of this vast expanse that I was able to see include the angel shark, a combination of a shark and a ray; the black belly guitarfish, resembling a stringed instrument; the reef shark; the saw shark, a formidable nocturnal hunter; the peculiar Port Jackson shark, and several species of rays.

The Oceanarium in Valencia – The most remote oceanic islands in the world

This part of the Oceanarium in Valencia allows you to explore the farthest and most isolated corners of our planet. Here, you will see unique forms of life that are found nowhere else.

In addition to specimens of flora and fauna from the farthest reaches of the world, you will encounter realistic models of animals so rare that it is forbidden to take them from their natural environment. You will also find explanations for many evolutionary mysteries, such as gigantism in several species of turtles or the biological dependence of various animal species that cannot live without each other.

This section of the aquarium exhibition is a place where you will understand why we should protect nature and natural habitats, as well as their inhabitants.

The most notable inhabitants of this habitat include giant Aldabra tortoises, Hawaiian geese capable of producing sounds similar to a hunting horn, and gigantic monitor lizards.

Other ecosystems in The Oceanarium in Valencia

In addition to the main sections of the oceanarium, you will also find intermediate worlds where you can encounter turtles of various species, strange creatures in the marine secrets’ habitat, and fantastic jellyfish of various colours, sizes, and shapes.

A particularly interesting place is the building shaped like a lily surrounded by a living lake inhabited by many species of waterbirds. Interestingly, the living lake in the Oceanarium in Valencia is visited by wild birds migrating from many Nature Parks in Spain and Europe. Here, you will encounter cormorants, pink flamingos, pelicans, as well as frogs, lizards, and many other reptiles and amphibians.

The building standing in the centre of this aquatic world has a fanciful shape resembling a lily. From the air, it indeed looks like a flower floating on the water. Inside, there are bars and restaurants, including a submerged restaurant surrounded by aquariums, making you feel like you are in a room submerged in water.

Additionally, the Oceanarium features a 4D cinema, allowing you to embark on an underwater journey or experience another adventure.

• Interesting cities near Costa Blanca:

• Cullera, located on the Valencia coast, is a resort town known for its beautiful beaches with light and fine sand.
• La Mata is a small town in the south of Spain, located on the Costa Blanca coast.
• San Pedro del Pinatar is a town located on the Costa Calida coast in the province of Murcia, southern Spain.
• Torrevieja is a coastal city and municipality located on the Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante.

• Attractions near Costa Blanca:

• Bodegas Luzon is one of the oldest and largest vineyards in the Spanish municipality of Jumilla, located in the Region of Murcia.
• Cullera Castle (Castell de Cullera) is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating attractions of the city.
• Dino Park Algar on the Costa Blanca coast, is a land ruled by prehistoric dinosaurs.
• El Palmeral Park in Alicante, a place where you can relax and regain strength.
• L’Oceanogràfic is the Spanish name for the Oceanarium in Valencia, the largest aquarium in Europe, located in the southern part of Spain by the Mediterranean Sea.
• Las Salinas de Torrevieja is an industrial plant that extracts sea salt from a shallow but vast lake in Laguna Salada de Torevieja.
• Natural Park El Fondo, or as the Spanish say, Parque Natural el Hondo, is located in the beautiful region of Valencia, near cities such as Alicante, Valencia, La Mata, Torrevieja.
• Palm Grove of Elche largest palm grove in Europe.
• Rio Safari Elche is a zoo located on the Costa Blanca coast of Spain.
• The Science Museum in Valencia is part of a massive project called the City of Arts and Sciences.
• The goal of our today’s trip is the Valor chocolate factory and museum.
• The Castle of Santa Barbara (Castillo de Santa Barbara), also known as the Alicante Fortress, looms over the city like an unconquerable defender. 
• The Church of the Virgin Mary in the Spanish city of Murcia is one of the biggest attractions of the city and an undeniable symbol of it.
• The Naval Museum in Cartagena is a fascinating attraction in the city that anyone with even a slight interest in European history
• The Museum in Torrevieja is an interesting attraction in the port part of the city.
• The Ducal Palace of Gandia is a tourist attraction in the city and a fascinating monument worth visiting during your stay on the Costa Blanca in Spain.