Pula Aquarium (Croatia)

At the very tip of Cape Verudela, surrounded by the greenery of a pine forest and the blue sea, lies a true gem for all lovers of the marine world—the Pula Aquarium. Founded in 1902, it is one of the oldest aquariums in the world and is housed in an imposing fortress from the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which is a sight to behold in its own right. The combination of historic architecture and the vibrant underwater world creates an atmosphere you won’t soon forget.

The spacious tanks and aquariums showcase the rich marine life of the Adriatic Sea—from charming seahorses and colorful fish to impressive sharks and sea turtles, which are the real stars of the show for younger visitors. A special attraction are the interactive pools, where you can touch some of the marine animals, which delights children to no end. The exhibition covers the entire Mediterranean ecosystem and explains why preserving the marine environment is so important.

The aquarium is an excellent choice for both rainy days and hot summer afternoons, as most of the exhibits are located in the cool, indoor spaces of the fortress. Its location on Cape Verudela also offers the opportunity to take walks along the coast before or after your visit, where you can swim in the crystal-clear sea. Parking is paid and tends to fill up during the summer season, so we recommend arriving in the morning.

Admission fees are reasonable, and children under 3 years old enter for free. The aquarium is open year-round, though with varying hours—until late in the evening during the summer and only in the morning during the winter. Before setting out, check the current opening hours on the official website. Pula is approximately 100 kilometers from the Slovenian-Croatian border at Sečovlje, and the drive takes about an hour and a half by car.