Barcelona Attractions

Venue: Barcelona Aquarium    When: Daily

Barcelona Aquarium, just a stone's throw inland from the Mediterranean in Port Vell, is considered one of the best in Europe, with an unprecedented collection of marine life.

In a matter of an hour or two visitors can tour the icy polar waters of the Southern Hemisphere, precious Mediterranean biospheres and the colonies and atolls of the Tropics. Over 300 species thrive in some 21 tanks, each acclimatised to produce the exact conditions required for the flora and fish inside.

Venture through the shark tunnel if you dare, or press your face against the glass to catch sight of giant-size Japanese conger eels, sea horses and luminescent fish of the deep. There's simply no end to the slippery and slimy creatures to take in.

There are piranhas in the Amazon river reconstruction, caiman and over 20 species of penguin, including the Humboldt Penguin common to the marine reserves of Peru and Chile. Children can participate in feeding time, learn more on oceanography and marine evolution and catch a glimpse of the inside of an exploratory submarine. There are also all manner of workshops, lectures and other education programmes on offer.

If you haven't already been to this oceanic metropolis it is high time you paid a visit.