Aquarium Berlin

Aquarium Berlin
I really liked Aquarium Berlin. Even though the top floor was closed for renovation during my visit, there was still more than enough to see.

Berlin Aquarium, located right next to Berlin Zoo and its famous Elephant Gate (Elefantentor), is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. The building itself already sets the tone. It feels historic and a bit old school in a good way, but you can clearly see that they have modernised parts of the interior without losing the character.

The ground floor focuses mainly on fish and aquatic life. There is a really nice mix of freshwater and marine tanks, from colourful reef setups to darker river systems. What I appreciated most is that it is not just the standard species you see everywhere. There are quite a few unusual fish that you rarely come across, which makes it much more interesting if you actually take your time.

The crocodile hall on the middle level is probably the most iconic part of the aquarium. Around that area, the reptile and terrarium section continues with a solid range of snakes, lizards and turtles. It can feel a bit cramped in places, especially when it is busy, but that almost adds to the charm. It feels like a classic European aquarium, not a big, modern theme park style attraction.

Unfortunately, the top floor with amphibians and invertebrates was closed during my visit. That is a pretty important part of the overall collection, so I definitely feel like I did not experience the aquarium in its full form. Because of that, I cannot fully judge it yet. At the same time, renovations are always a good sign. It shows that they are investing and improving.

I will definitely return, especially to finally check out the amphibian floor.