BIOPARC Acuario de Gijón

About the museum

The Gijón aquarium opened in 2006 beside the Playa de Poniente and in 2026 celebrates its twentieth anniversary. Since 2018 it has been run by the private company Rain Forest, which also runs BIOPARC Valencia and BIOPARC Fuengirola and follows the guidelines of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).

The route offers more than sixty freshwater and saltwater tanks, around two million litres of water and several terrariums, spread across habitats such as the Cantabrian river, the Cantabrian coast, the intertidal zone, the continental shelf, the Atlantic, the Caribbean, the Indo-Pacific, Macaronesia, the large African rivers and lakes and a humid forest of the Americas. The Gran Oceanario is the central tank.

Among the animals are salmon, eels, sturgeon, moray eels, rays, sharks, loggerhead turtles, piranhas, axolotls and jellyfish. The CRAMA BIOPARC centre rehabilitates sea turtles and returns them to the Cantabrian Sea once they have recovered. The BIOPARC Foundation supports conservation, research and education, and the aquarium organises educational meetings, guided visits and activities for families and schools.

Highlights

• More than 60 freshwater and saltwater tanks with around 2 million litres
• Gran Oceanario with sharks and rays
• Cantabrian river and Cantabrian coast, with salmon and eels
• CRAMA BIOPARC sea turtle rehabilitation centre
• Educational meetings and feeding of the animals every day
• Accessible route with ramps and lifts

Permanent exhibitions

• Recorrido por los hábitats del acuario – More than 60 tanks reproducing twelve ecosystems, from the Cantabrian river and coast to the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean and the Caribbean.
• Gran Oceanario – Central tank with sharks and rays, where the animals are fed and free educational meetings take place at one in the afternoon.

Founded

2006

Operated by

Rain Forest (BIOPARC)

Admission & discounts

Prices for a daily adult ticket for ages 15 to 64. Other group discounts are available at the ticket office.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the website, the whole route is accessible for people with reduced mobility, with ramps and lifts. There are two parking spaces for people with disabilities. Only guide dogs and assistance dogs with original accreditation are admitted. Access to the Madagascar area and the educational exhibition in the amphitheatre is restricted, so it is advisable to check in advance. The centre's wheelchairs are only lent in emergencies.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

The aquarium runs free educational meetings and activities such as “Naturaleza Exprés en familia” and “Peque encuentros”, workshops, storytelling sessions and overnight visits. Birthday parties with advance booking and a minimum of 10 children.

Getting there & parking

From the A-66 (Oviedo), follow the signs to “Centro de ciudad” as far as the Playa de Poniente: the aquarium is at the far end of the beach. From the A-8 (Santander), take the exit for La Guía/Viesques. It can be reached by the marina's cycle path, and on foot in about 15 minutes from the marina.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Lockers

Kraken Beach café (ground floor) and Kraken restaurant (second floor). Automated lockers at the paid entrance, in two sizes (€5 and €7.50 per day). Eating is not allowed on the route, although water in non-glass containers and baby food are permitted. Shop with soft toys, books, clothing and educational games.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 100 guests.

Event spaces: auditorium (69 seats), Atlántica room, Sharks space (up to 100 people), Sea classroom, Kraken restaurant and Kraken Beach café. Requests are made via a form; capacities are subject to confirmation.

Plan your visit