Malta National Aquarium is a marine-life attraction on the Qawra seafront in San Pawl il-Baħar, Malta. From Xemxija, you can travel by bus or car, then combine your visit with a walk along the Qawra waterfront.
- Location: Triq it-Trunciera, SPB 1500, Qawra.
- Typical hours: Open daily
- Ticket basics: online and entrance tickets are reported; prices vary by age and purchase method.
Where the aquarium is
Malta National Aquarium is on the Qawra seafront, beside Café del Mar. Its address is Triq it-Trunciera, SPB 1500, in Qawra, San Pawl il-Baħar. The building has been described as a starfish-shaped dome.
You can make the aquarium visit part of a day in Qawra rather than planning around a separate inland stop. For a Xemxija base for the outing, consider Xemxija Bay Hotel.
How do you get from Xemxija to Malta National Aquarium?
You can take a bus serving both Xemxija and Qawra, or drive; check the live journey details before setting out.
Bus route 221 serves Xemxija and Qawra, as does route 222. The Xemxija stop is number 1011. The available route information does not establish a journey time from Xemxija to the aquarium, so enter your origin and destination in Transport Malta’s Journey Planner for an approximate time based on your travel date and time.
By car, the aquarium is about a 13-minute drive from Xemxija Bay Hotel.
If you’re planning a wider outing, the Xemxija day itinerary can help you plan other stops around your aquarium visit.
Tickets, hours and visitor facilities
Reported opening hours are daily from 10:00 to 20:00, with last admission at 19:30. Treat these as a guide rather than a guarantee, and check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 10:00–20:00
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Reported ticket prices are €16.90 online for adults aged 13 and over, €10.90 for children aged 4–12, free for children aged 0–3, and €13.90 for seniors aged 60 and over.
Another listing gives an adult all-day ticket as €17.90 at the door and €16.90 online, so the door price may differ from the online price. Tickets are reported as available online or at the entrance, with online tickets discounted; confirm current prices and booking conditions with the aquarium.
The aquarium is described as having a walk-through tunnel beneath its main tank, along with exhibits about marine animals. Information about parking, accessibility and on-site dining was not confirmed from an aquarium source, so check directly with the venue if you need those details.
Making an outing of it
The Qawra waterfront offers an easy way to extend your aquarium visit with a seafront walk. The aquarium is also described as an easy walk from Buġibba or Qawra, making Qawra a practical option for a stroll before or after your visit. The Malta Classic Car Museum is another nearby museum focused on classic cars.
For a simple plan, head to the aquarium first, then take time along the waterfront. If you’re travelling by bus, check the return journey as well as the outward route using the current information from Malta Public Transport or Transport Malta.
FAQs
Where is Malta National Aquarium?
It is on Triq it-Trunciera in Qawra, San Pawl il-Baħar, beside Café del Mar.
Can you reach the aquarium by bus from Xemxija?
Routes 221 and 222 serve both Xemxija and Qawra. Use Transport Malta’s Journey Planner to check the trip for your travel date and time.
Can you buy tickets at the entrance?
Visitor information reports that tickets are available online or at the entrance. Confirm current prices and booking conditions with the aquarium before your visit.