Malta National Aquarium, out on Qawra Point

The Malta National Aquarium is one of those places that has no business on a heritage itinerary and that rescues an afternoon when you’ve children in tow or the wind’s up. It sits on Qawra Point, the tip of St Paul’s Bay, in a white starfish-shaped building you can see from the whole promenade. Below I’ll run through the zones, the prices and the best time to go if you want to pay less.

What and where it is

The company that runs it gives its address as Triq it-Trunċiera in Qawra, part of St Paul’s Bay. The whole complex covers around 20,000 square metres and combines the aquarium with a restaurant, a café, a shop and a square with a kiosk. Out front is a nautical playground that’s free and open to all, which you’ll appreciate with small children.

The figures on its own website don’t quite agree. The home page talks of around 300 species, while the FAQ gives 52 tanks and more than 250 species. I’ll stick with the more cautious number. The centrepiece is the main tank, about 12 metres across, with a walk-through tunnel where you’ll see sharks and rays.

What you’ll see

The route is split into zones inspired by Maltese places and stories. My pick is Roman Times, which recreates a submerged world of ruins and wrecks, including a replica of the anchor linked to St Paul’s shipwreck and another of the statue of Christ that lies underwater near St Paul’s Islands, just across the bay. The others cover the Maltese coast, Valletta harbour, tropical oceans, a submarine and a jungle and temple theme. Besides fish, the collection includes reptiles, amphibians and insects.

Tablets beside each tank carry a digital guide, and there are talks and animal feeds through the day. One floor above reception is the Heritage Trail, open only to aquarium ticket holders.

Tickets and the best time to go

An adult ticket is €17.90 on the door and €16.90 online; a child aged 4 to 12, €11.90 and €10.90; an over-60, €14.90 and €13.90. Under-4s go free, though you still collect a free ticket. Tickets aren’t tied to a date or time and are valid for one visit within six months.

Here’s the trick I’d use. Book online for entry from 16:00 and adults pay €13.90, children €8.90 and seniors €10.90. With closing at 20:00, you’ll have time to spare. And if you’re planning plenty of Heritage Malta visits, the €60 Multisite Pass also covers the aquarium; I compare it with the alternatives under Malta sightseeing passes.

Hours and how long to allow

The doors open at ten every morning and close at eight in the evening, whatever the day, and you can get in up to half past seven. It warns that bank holiday hours may differ. By its own estimate a visit takes 45 minutes to two hours, and with a talk or two I’d allow a good hour and a half.

Access and quieter visits

The whole route works for wheelchairs and pushchairs, with a lift between reception and the aquarium floor. In January 2022 it gained the Autism Friendly Spaces label; there’s a quiet room, and ear defenders can be borrowed against a €5 deposit. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays it runs pre-opening visits at 09:00 with the sound turned down, booked at least 24 hours ahead.

Is it worth it?

That depends on your trip. If you’re over for four days of Valletta, Mdina and the temples, I wouldn’t give it an afternoon. If you’re here for a week with children, or a blustery day makes the Gozo crossing unappealing, it’s an easy, indoor option a stroll from the local hotels. What I wouldn’t do is pay the full door price at midday, when the online afternoon ticket saves you almost a quarter.

For anyone travelling with someone sensitive to noise, it strikes me as one of the few big attractions in Malta that takes accessibility seriously, with its early visits and quiet room. That says a lot about how it’s run.

Getting there

From Buġibba or Qawra, walk. By car, the car park has over 140 spaces, free if you validate your ticket at reception, and there are EV charging points on the promenade. By bus, several routes reach the area from Valletta, Sliema, Mellieħa, Rabat and the airport; the most direct from the capital is the TD13, which stops in Qawra.