A walk from our hotels to enjoy with all your senses
It only takes a moment to reach Maremagnum and the Barcelona Aquarium from our hotels. A walk along La Rambla is always a wonderful experience in itself. One of the most famous avenues in the world, currently being renovated to make it even more beautiful. As you reach the Columbus Monument, you will find Port Vell and the wooden walkway that connects to Maremagnum and, beneath your feet, an entire ocean condensed into the Barcelona Aquarium.
The Barcelona Aquarium turns 30
The Barcelona Aquarium is celebrating its thirtieth anniversary with a profound transformation. The great new addition is Journey to the Depths, an immersive room unique in Europe where visitors travel aboard the SubAqua Explorer through marine ecosystems, welcomed by the largest digital floor screen on the continent: simply astonishing. The tour retains its most iconic feature, the 80 metre underwater tunnel, the longest in Europe, along with more than 80 tanks that dedicate their own spaces to the Medes Islands and the Ebro Delta, two gems of the Catalan coast that many international visitors discover for the first time here. The whole experience reinforces a clear commitment to marine education and conservation, something especially appreciated when visiting as a family. There are many activities to enjoy together!
Maremagnum: restaurants, shops and leisure surrounded by the sea
Around the Aquarium lies Maremagnum, born from the Olympic redevelopment of 1992, when the whole of Port Vell opened up to the city and the sea. Today it remains a weekend classic for locals and an essential stop for visitors, with the distinction of being the only shopping centre in the city permitted to open its doors on Sundays and public holidays. A meal facing the harbour, some time shopping, or simply sitting to watch the boats go by make for a perfect plan on any day.
Our recommendation for an unforgettable visit
It is precisely this combination, history, novelty and the sea just steps away, that makes this area one of our favourite recommendations for our guests. La Rambla, so often walked from end to end, holds a surprise at its close that very few cities in the world can offer: moving, within a single stroll, from the rhythm of the city to the maritime landscape of the Mediterranean.
For those travelling with children, a morning at the Aquarium and an afternoon at Maremagnum make for a complete day without needing any transport at all. For those who prefer a slower pace, sunset over the marina, with the lights of the boats reflected on the water, is one of Barcelona’s most beautiful and romantic sights.
Practical information
- Barcelona Aquarium: Moll d’Espanya, s/n, 08039 Barcelona. More information and up-to-date opening hours at aquariumbcn.com
- Maremagnum: open every day of the week, including Sundays and public holidays. More information at maremagnum.es
- Both are around a 15 to 20 minute walk from our hotels, following La Rambla down to the sea
If you are looking for a different experience just a short walk away, our team will be delighted to recommend the best time of day to enjoy this corner of Barcelona. Remember to book your stay in advance, directly through our website here.
