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Getxo Aquarium is permanently closed.
Notice: Getxo Aquarium has closed definitively. Get to know the seabed that surrounds us through Getxo Aquarium, a small but intense space where more than 300 species coexist. Thanks to the sample of Atlantic and tropical sea bottoms that Getxo Aquarium brings us, we have been able to see the complexity and beauty that surrounds our marine ecosystems. Getxo Aquarium has 25 aquariums divided into two areas, Atlantic aquariums and tropical aquariums, the former, representatives of our own seabed, coexist with the colorful tropical aquariums, two completely different environments but necessary to understand the natural wealth hidden in our seas. This small corner of Bizkaia has a great variety of fish, corals, invertebrates, crustaceans and algae. More than 300 species, which together form 25 ecosystems in which every minute that passes we discover a new form of life, amazing! 
Information Getxo Aquarium.
- Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm and from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
- Price: Adults: 3,25€ / Reduced: 2,70€ / Children: 2,15€ (under 4 years old free) / Special rates for groups.
- Guided tours: Duration 1 hour and 30 minutes. Minimum group size 12 people. From Tuesday to Friday.
- Holiday closure: December 25, January 1 and 6.
- Location: Getxo Marina, s/n, 48992, Getxo, Bizkaia, Basque Country.
Each aquarium has its own peculiarity, its own little treasure, its own characteristics, which we discovered by staring at each of the aquariums in the company of Iker Bilbao, one of Getxo Aquarium’s biologists.
Getxo Aquarium, educate and disseminate.
After a quick look around the two areas of the place, we retraced our steps to make a proper visit, learning about each of the species and photographing each of the aquariums that make up Getxo Aquarium. We recommend having patience and paying attention to every detail of each aquarium, in every movement, we spent hours behind the glass, be careful, it’s addictive!
Did you know? All corals in Getxo Aquarium are natural, they grow and evolve constantly with the rest of the species in the aquarium.
How to get there: Getxo Aquarium is located in the Getxo Marina, next to the cruise port of Bilbao and the Old Port of Algorta, one of the most attractive areas of this town in Bizkaia. Here is a brief summary of the options we have to get to our destination today, Getxo Aquarium:
- If you arrive by cruise ship, Getxo Aquarium is a 2 minute walk from the new cruise terminal in Bilbao, you can’t miss it.
- If you opt for the private vehicle, you must take the road BI-637, known as the advanced, to get to the town of Getxo, once there, you just have to take direction Puerto Deportivo. In the surroundings there are free parking areas where you can leave your vehicle.
- If you do not have a private vehicle or simply want to use public transport, you can choose between bus or metro, with both options we must continue walking about 10 minutes to get to Getxo Aquarium. The bus, operated by Bizkaibus line A3411 (Bilbao-Getxo-Aizkorri route), has several stops near the Paseo de las Grandes Villas and the Neguri metro station. If you opt for the subway, we recommend the Neguri or Gobela stops.
Educate and disseminate: We believe that the work that Getxo Aquarium does to raise awareness among new generations about the impact of human beings on marine ecosystems is essential and necessary. This work is represented in Getxo Aquarium through the Atlantic aquarium area, where we find a rubber boot, a glass bottle and some other elements, a clear example of the deterioration of the seabed caused by human beings.
History: Getxo Aquarium was born as a private project in 2004 under the name of Abra Aquarium, two years later, in May 2006, the Getxo City Council decided to take control of it, change its name and create a project together with the Provincial Council of Bizkaia to ensure the viability of the only aquarium in the province. In February 2013, a fire destroyed part of the aquarium, causing great material damage to two of the tanks and causing the death of several of the fish inside. Today, fully recovered, this getxotarra aquarium tells the story of our coasts to all those who want to hear them. Do you dare?
Recommendations and advice: We recommend following the tips below to get the most out of your visit to Getxo Aquarium.
- Patience. We know that many of you come with children and that patience is not one of your strengths, but it is important to stand in front of each of the aquariums for at least 5 or 10 minutes to discover all the species it houses. Perhaps, with a little challenge like playing a game to see who can see the most species in each aquarium will encourage the little ones in the house, who knows.
- It is allowed to take pictures inside Getxo Aquarium. Perfect time for the little ones to take pictures with some of their favorite TV characters such as Nemo or Dora. Just remember to remove the flash.
- Feeding time is in the morning, when the fish are most active. Watching them eat is quite an experience.
- Natural corals and algae are one of the great treasures of this aquarium. Many times, blinded by the beauty of fish and crustaceans, we forget about the other elements that make up these ecosystems, do not fall into this mistake!
Types of visits: Getxo Aquarium offers several options to visit its facilities. Informative panels and QR codes for those who visit individually and guided tour for those who visit in groups of more than 12 people. Although in the self-guided tour we have all the necessary information to enjoy and learn during the visit, the passion and knowledge of the guides of this Biscayan aquarium makes us recommend the guided tour.
Attention: Although individual visits to Getxo Aquarium are self-guided, without a guide, the members of this Basque aquarium are always willing to solve any possible doubt. In our case, Iker, in addition to answering all our questions, advised us on the most curious and interesting aquariums of the tour. You cannot miss the toad fish aquarium or the anemones and clown fish (Nemo), undoubtedly some of the species that had the greatest impact on us during the visit. Pay attention to the video, it is not to be missed.
Atlantic aquariums: Our own, those of cold and dark water, the autochthonous ones. The aquariums we found in this area are the ones that attract the least attention but are no less important. The fragile and seemingly lazy seahorses captivated us with their delicate movements.
Tropical aquariums: the exotic, the flashy, the colorful, the warm water ones. Color and warmth take over the second room of this Basque aquarium in which we highlight the harmony between anemones and clown fish, a symbiosis of film.
Other attractions in Getxo: The municipality of Getxo has a wide variety of places to see and enjoy, among them, we highlight the following 5 points of interest.
TurismoVasco Tiketa: Getxo Aquarium now has our exclusive “TurismoVasco Tiketa” accreditation, a sticker that attests to the value of this tourist attraction.
Getxo, one of the most striking and attractive towns in Bizkaia, is home to Getxo Aquarium, a place of great interest that we recommend visiting with the family, paying attention to every detail, every movement, do not forget, all aquariums have life inside, find it!
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