Aquarium Berlin sits inside the grounds of the Zoologischer Garten Berlin on Budapester Strasse, and it has been introducing visitors to marine and freshwater life since it first opened its doors on August 18, 1913. Designed under the direction of zoologist Oskar Heinroth, the building’s original walk-through Crocodile Hall was considered groundbreaking at the time and quickly became one of the aquarium’s signature attractions.
The aquarium was almost entirely destroyed by a bomb strike in 1943, and it took years of staged reconstruction, including a ground floor reopening in 1952 and restored terrariums by 1956, before the facility was fully rebuilt. Today it spans three floors packed with roughly 250 tanks, making it one of the most species-rich indoor aquariums in the world and a cornerstone of Berlin’s zoo complex.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Opened: August 18, 1913
- Size: About 8,100 square meters, across three floors
- Species/animal count: About 800 species, over 9,000 animals
- Annual visitors: About 3.8 million (combined with Zoo Berlin admission)
- Famous for: Walk-through Crocodile Hall and jellyfish breeding
What You’ll See Inside
The aquarium’s 250 tanks hold everything from blacktip reef sharks and tropical reef fish to native European species, with a large circular ground-floor tank holding more than 110,000 liters of water. Upper floors house amphibians, reptiles, and insects, while the crocodile and tuatara displays remain among the most popular stops for visitors moving through the building.
Aquarium Berlin has also built a reputation in conservation circles for successfully breeding jellyfish in captivity, a feat few inland aquariums have managed. The facility works alongside Zoo Berlin on breeding programs for endangered reptiles and amphibians, including recent additions like Burmese star tortoises.
A Modernized Historic Building
Between 2023 and 2026, the listed aquarium building underwent a three-year, roughly 10.3 million euro renovation that upgraded accessibility, restored the historic ground-floor tank, and added interactive learning stations covering topics like marine conservation and microplastics. It reopened to the public on August 18, 2026, exactly 113 years after its original debut.
Despite the modern upgrades, the aquarium retains its early 20th-century character, and it remains tied to Zoo Berlin both operationally and through a shared admission ticket, drawing millions of combined visitors each year.
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Aquarium Berlin FAQs
Is Aquarium Berlin part of the Berlin Zoo?
Yes. Aquarium Berlin sits on the grounds of the Zoologischer Garten Berlin and is operated as part of the zoo, though it has its own entrance on Budapester Strasse.
How old is Aquarium Berlin?
It first opened on August 18, 1913, making it over a century old. It was heavily damaged during World War II and rebuilt in stages afterward.
How many species does Aquarium Berlin have?
The aquarium is home to roughly 800 species and more than 9,000 individual animals across its fish tanks, terrariums, and insect displays.
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Photo: File:Zoo Berlin Aquarium Fassade 3.jpg: Manfred Brückels derivative work: Georgfotoart / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.