Dive deep into the world beneath the seas at the Aquarium of Gijón (Acuario de Gijón), which houses thousands of specimens in its extensive collection of underwater flora and fauna. Follow the aquarium’s tour through some 60 tanks, which are organized to represent the world’s major aquatic environments ranging from local rivers to reefs, seas and oceans. Turtles, bull sharks and otters are just a few of the highlights along the way.
More than 400 different species are represented among the more than 5,000 individual creatures, both vertebrate and invertebrate, that inhabit the aquarium’s many tanks. Begin your aquatic journey with a recreated Cantabrian river, containing such freshwater species as salmon, otters and trout, before checking out the anemones and starfish of the Cantabrian coast.
See the great swimmers of the Atlantic Ocean and pay a visit to the remarkable Magellanic penguins from Patagonia. Admire the vivid coloring and biodiversity of the world’s coral reefs, noting crowd favorites like the clownfish and the surgeon fish (“Nemo” and “Dory”) along the way.
Other highlights include the green and loggerhead turtles, the carpet shark and the undulate ray. This is the only aquarium in Spain where you can see all five groups of vertebrates: mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and fish.
The aquarium places a strong emphasis on education, with the aim of inspiring people towards the conservation of the oceans. Head to the “toca toca” zone, where starfish and sea cucumbers can be touched in small pools. Stop by the auditorium on your way out to to watch a documentary about how to be a better custodian of the waterways of the world.
The Aquarium of Gijón is located on the Playa de Poniente, easily accessible by bus or via the nearby available parking. There is a charge for entry, with discounts available for children and seniors. The aquarium is open daily, including public holidays. During July and August, it remains open until later in the evening. Lockers, a gift shop and a restaurant are also on site.
