## Aquarium Finisterrae (Casa de los Peces), A Coruña — Practical Guide

Aquarium Finisterrae—known locally as the Casa de los Peces—is A Coruña’s public science aquarium on the seaside promenade, created by the city on June 5, 1999 as part of the Museos Científicos Coruñeses (with the Domus and the House of Sciences). Its mission is environmental education and hands-on marine science, not theme-park spectacle, and it shows in the way exhibits are built around Galicia’s Atlantic coast. da Coruña

### What stands out

– Sala Nautilus (signature tank). The showpiece gallery sits submerged in an enormous pool inspired by Captain Nemo’s study. Expect schools of jacks and mackerel swirling past sizable residents—sharks (including catsharks and tope), groupers, sea bream, bass, and amberjacks—with lighting sequences choreographed to original music. The tank holds “five million litres” per the official museum description. da Coruña
– Outdoor Atlantic habitats. Step onto the ocean-facing terraces to see the Piscinarium (seal pools) and an intertidal pool influenced by real tides—excellent for watching coastal birds and understanding local ecosystems. The anchor from the tanker Mar Egeo (1992 spill) anchors a mini-lesson in maritime risk and environmental recovery. da Coruña
– Changing, science-first exhibits. Rotating spaces—Isabel Castelo, Humboldt, and the López Seoane corridor—cycle photography, monographic shows, and interactive modules (e.g., current thematic exhibitions about aquatic reproduction). If you’ve visited before, there’s usually something new. da Coruña

### Where it is (and why that matters)

– Address: Paseo Alcalde Francisco Vázquez, 34, 15002 A Coruña. You’re on the waterfront path between the Domus and the Tower of Hercules (UNESCO), so it’s easy to weave the aquarium into a seaside walk or cycling loop. da Coruña
– Bus lines: 3, 3A, and 11 stop nearby; there’s also a Bicicoruña station on the promenade. da Coruña
– Geo coordinates: 43.3835944, -8.4096038 (helpful for GPS pin drops and rideshares).

### Opening hours (2025 schedule)

– Winter (Jan–Feb): Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00; Sat–Sun/holidays 11:00–19:00
– Spring (Mar–Jun): 10:00–19:00 daily
– Summer (Jul–Aug): 10:00–20:00 daily
– Autumn (Sep–Dec): 10:00–19:00 daily
– Last entry is one hour before closing. Closures: Jan 1 & 6, Dec 25; reduced hours on Dec 24 & 31. Always check the official page for changes. da Coruña

### Ticketing & smart ways to save

– Standard: €10.30
– Reduced: €4.12 (under 16; 65+; students; unemployed; large families; youth/student cards—ID required)
– Free: children under 4, people with disabilities, accredited guides/press/teachers/UDC students, and on specific city science celebration days with advance online reservation. da Coruña

How to buy: You can purchase at reception or pre-book online (currently only the general tariff is sold online; reduced/free categories are issued on-site with documentation). If your dates coincide with local holidays or science-week events (often free with reservation), book early. da Coruña

Multi-museum value: Consider the Bono Tres Casas (€12.36) for one visit each to House of Sciences, Domus, and Aquarium. If you’re based in the city for longer, the Cartón Vente annual card grants unlimited exhibition-hall access across the three museums. da Coruña

### Daily feedings & programs (included with admission)

– Shark & large-fish feeding (Nautilus): Mon/Wed/Fri at 11:30
– Seal feeding: Daily at 12:00 and 17:00
– 10-minute science talks: Weekends 13:00 and 18:00 on octopus, seahorses, jellies, and more.
No surcharge; these are built into the museum’s education program. Timing can shift for husbandry reasons—confirm on entry. da Coruña

### Accessibility

– Admission is free for visitors with disabilities, and the layout keeps navigation straightforward (elevators, broad corridors). For precise support (wheelchair access points, quiet corners during feedings), ask at reception—staff are used to school and inclusive groups. da Coruña

### How long to allow

Most travelers spend 1.5–2.5 hours if they catch one feeding. Add time for terrace viewpoints (Atlantic swell, seabirds) and a stroll toward the Tower of Hercules afterward. The aquarium emphasizes Galicia’s coastal ecology, so it pairs well with a morning at the Domus for human biology and an evening tower sunset. da Coruña

### Insider tips (that actually help)

– Time your circuit to a feeding. Start indoors 30–40 minutes before the 11:30 Nautilus feed to claim a good vantage, then drift outside in time for the 12:00 seals. It evens out crowd flow and keeps kids engaged. da Coruña
– Wind and spray happen. The terraces are fully ocean-exposed; after storms, the intertidal pool is at its most interesting—but it’s breezy. Pack a light shell year-round.
– Use the membership card if you’re city-based. The Cartón Vente pays for itself quickly if you sample weekend talks or repeat with children. da Coruña
– Pair with the promenade. The aquarium sits on the Paseo Marítimo—a flat, scenic path ideal for strollers, wheelchairs, and bikes, linking multiple viewpoints without street traffic. da Coruña
– Check the events board. The museum frequently adds limited-capacity activities (e.g., “Sleeping with Sharks,” seasonal workshops). Slots go quickly during school breaks. da Coruña

### Responsible-visit notes

The institution is first and foremost a science museum focused on conservation and ocean literacy. Outdoor pools and the tidal exhibit are teaching tools tied to the real Atlantic; the programming and talks reinforce sustainable seas and local biodiversity. If you want a surface-level photo-op, you’ll still come away happy—but the value is in the interpretation. da Coruña

### Essential facts at a glance

– Name: Aquarium Finisterrae (Casa de los Peces)
– Opened: 1999-06-05
– Focus: Atlantic ecosystems, marine biology education
– Signature space: Sala Nautilus (in a pool of >5 million litres, per museum)
– Outdoor highlight: Seal Piscinarium + tidal pool
– Address: Paseo Alcalde Francisco Vázquez, 34 (GPS 43.3835944, -8.4096038)
– Buses: 3, 3A, 11
– Standard/Reduced: €10.30 / €4.12; free for <4, people with disabilities, and several accredited categories; special free-entry days with online reservation appear on the calendar. da Coruña

### Context: part of A Coruña’s science triangle

Aquarium Finisterrae belongs to the Museos Científicos Coruñeses, a civic project that’s shaped local science culture for decades. Its creator and long-time director Ramón (Moncho) Núñez Centella—recently honored by the city—also helped develop the Domus and House of Sciences and has influenced museum practice nationally. If you’re building an education-heavy itinerary, those two sites make a solid trio with the aquarium.

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## Planning checklist

– ✅ Book standard tickets online if you prefer a set entry window (reduced/free purchased on-site with ID). da Coruña
– ✅ Aim for Mon/Wed/Fri morning to catch the Nautilus feed (11:30) and the first seal feed at 12:00. da Coruña
– ✅ Bring a wind layer for the ocean-exposed terraces.
– ✅ Consider the Bono Tres Casas or annual card if you’ll also visit Domus and the House of Sciences. da Coruña

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### Accuracy & updates

All hours, prices, and activity times above are taken from the official Aquarium Finisterrae page and the A Coruña tourism portal, checked for the 2025 season; programming and free-entry dates can change—confirm via the official site before you go. da Coruña

Sources: official museum site and city tourism pages; additional context from reference listings. da Coruña