The Berlin Aquarium in Berlin is worth a visit. Marvel at exotic fish and corals, reptiles, amphibians and insects.

The historic Aquarium Berlin, centrally located near Zoologischer Garten station, impresses with exotic animals, exciting guided tours, special events like Candlelight Dinners, and offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.

In the Aquarium Berlin you can not only experience the underwater world, you can watch feeding shows or book guided tours for young and old. If you are looking for a special candle light dinner, then you should definitely take a look around here. Surrounded by sharks and rays you can look deep into the eyes of your favourite person.
When the gates of the aquarium close, it is far from over. On an after-work tour you can see who goes to their night quarters or which animal is now really alive.
Celebrate children's birthday in the aquarium! As you can see, there is always something going on at the Berlin Aquarium.

The Berlin Aquarium

Location & Sights nearby

The aquarium is located on the compounds of the Berlin Zoo. A great idea for your next trip! To get the best of the bargain we recommend getting the Kombi-Ticket. You will be able to enter both areas. Right around the corner is the Kurfürstendamm with the Gedächtniskirche, the Europa Center, and many shopping, eating and drinking opportunities. You will be in the center of Berlin West, there is nothing better than a visit to the Zoo and the aquarium, and then to let the day fade out with a glass of wine or a beer...

History of the Berlin Aquarium

The foundation

The first aquarium built in Berlin already existed between 1869 and 1910. It was founded by Alfred Brehm.
Unfortunately, the building had to be torn down due to financial reasons. It was replaced by a newly constructed building. As a result, Berlin did not have an aquarium for 3 years. From 1911 until 1913 a new house, costing 1.14 million Mark, was erected. The highlight of this aquarium was a crocodile-hall with a suspension bridge, 27 meters long and 10 meters wide. This exhibition was accessible by visitors and unique in the world during that time. The actual aquarium was located underneath, where you were able to see fishes, fresh- and saltwater animals. On the upper level mostly reptiles, amphibians, beetles and spiders were accommodated.  
Imagine the immense costs and efforts it took at that time, to transport the saltwater from the North Sea by transport ships, and the effort of pumping the water from the Landwehr channel to the pool, by the fire brigade. Due to the expensive costs, the saltwater was later prepared artificially.

The aquarium first opened August 18th 1913. In the first years, the business was rather dull as a result of the first World War. But after 1923, it accomplished a rapid transformation and became the most biodiverse aquarium of its time. Around 400 different species from the beginning and at the start of World War II the number rose to 746 different species with 8532 unique animals. Astounding!
Unfortunately, the aquarium was destroyed during the war, on November 23, 1943. A bomb, dropped right into the crocodile-hall, destructed everything. The reconstruction was since August 1945 lead by zoologist Katharina Heinroth, Witwe von Oskar Heinroth (the director from 1929), zoologist, biologist and paleontologist Werner Schröder, who was firstly deployed as the director of business.

The aquarium was built on top of the ruins of the old construction (the costs would have else been too high). The basement was fortunately untouched by the bombs. In September 1952, the fresh- and saltwater animals moved into the ground floor. In November 1958, the big crocodile-hall and the snake department reopened. In 1959, the insectarium was finished as well.

Unbelievable that from 1968 the aquarium achieved once again the most biodiverse collection in the world. For the first time, animals were also imported to Europe.

Sadly, around 25 years after the reconstruction, the first problems arrived. The foundation exhibited serious construction flaws due to the material shortcomings of the first world war. The whole aquarium had to be refurbished step by step, however, was still open to visitors.

An annex for 27.4 million Mark was built. Furthermore, 250 different plant species were acquired. Much attention was paid to house the animals in the conditions of their natural habitat. In the crocodile-hall are now many tropical plants as well as papaya and dragon trees

Address, Opening Hours …

Address: Hardenberg Platz 8, 10787 Berlin Opening times: daily 9 AM-6 PM
Admission: from €16, at the box office: €25, reduced from €7.50, at the box office: €12
Public transport: S + U Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten (S5, S7, S75, U9), U Bahnhof Kurfürstendamm (U1, U9), Bus: U + S Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten (100, 109, 110, 200, 204, 245, 249, M45, M46, M49, N1, N10, N2, N26, N9, X10, X34, X9)

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The historic Aquarium Berlin, centrally located near Zoologischer Garten station, impresses with exotic animals, exciting guided tours, special events like Candlelight Dinners, and offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages.