If you’re coming to Seville on holiday, there’s no shortage of interesting things to see and do, from sightseeing the monuments and exploring the old city, to museums and art galleries, flamenco, and of course, eating, drinking and people watching in the bars and cafes. But as from last week, after a long period of planning and construction, and numerous delays, Seville has a new attraction that extends the range of things to do.

The Seville Aquarium has some forty tanks, holding about 400 different species of marine life, from flotillas of small, brightly coloured tropical fish to ominously cruising sharks, from urchins to octopus, and even giant crabs and turtles. Conceptually, it follows the path of Magellan’s first circumnavigation of the world (which began in Seville in 1519), and the different creatures he would have found on the voyage. There’s a soothing fascination to watching the fish glide around their tanks, and although it’s on a relatively modest scale it’s a great way to spend an afternoon – especially for kids on a wet or very hot day.

I was fortunate enough to have an invite to the press opening. So here are some photos of my sneak preview of the Seville Aquarium.

Seville Aquarium

Calle Santiago Montoto (Puerto las Delicias) s/n

Opening hours Mon-Thur 10am to 7 pm (Nov-Feb) 10am-8pm (Mar-Oct) Fri- Sun 10am – 9pm (10pm Mar-Aug)

Tickets €15 adults €10 children, disabled, pensioners. Discounts for families and groups.