Close to the Italian border, to the north of Croatia, you will find the lovely town of Pula, capital of Istria. An impossibly pretty place, you can expect cobbled streets, Roman ruins dotted throughout (including a rather impressive and picturesque amphitheatre that could give the colosseum a run for its money), wonderful beaches, excellent seafood, festivals, a vibrant nightlife, and lots to see and do in this seaside gem. It is a place with something to suit everyone from couples in search of romance, groups of friends in search of fun, families looking for lots of great activities, and solo travellers looking for a bit of adventure alike.
If you have found a vacation rental in Pula or a vacation rental in Istria and are looking at the top things to see and do while exploring this charming city, you will most likely see plenty of travellers and guides suggesting a visit to Pula's Aquarium. The most visited public aquarium in Croatia, this institution is particularly devoted to education on the sea and its inhabitants, the need for protection and conservation of our waters, and the rescuing and returning back to the sea of critters who have found themselves in a spot of danger or trouble. As such, it is a perfect place to see sea creatures if you also really care about their safety and well-being!
If you have found a vacation rental in Pula or a vacation rental in Istria and are looking at the top things to see and do while exploring this charming city, you will most likely see plenty of travellers and guides suggesting a visit to Pula's Aquarium. The most visited public aquarium in Croatia, this institution is particularly devoted to education on the sea and its inhabitants, the need for protection and conservation of our waters, and the rescuing and returning back to the sea of critters who have found themselves in a spot of danger or trouble. As such, it is a perfect place to see sea creatures if you also really care about their safety and well-being!
Pula Aquarium is also a rather unique example of an aquarium as it is in a rather unusual and picturesque setting: an 130 year-old fortress! Fort Verudela was once part of a mighty Austro-Hungarian defence complex of the city and is named for the part of the city in which it was built, a peninsula called Verudela that is located 3km from the centre of Pula. In 2002, long after its military and defensive purpose was no longer needed, Fort Verudela became home to a new aquarium in town and is actually still under a gradual conversion process to properly accommodate the animals on display, the rehabilitation and rescue centre, and the exhibits of the institution. As of today, it is home to around 200 different animal species including (but in no way limited to) sharks, jellyfish, and seahorses. The Marine Turtle Rescue Centre that is run by the aquarium is a very important fixture and marks the institution's biggest contribution to marine-life conservation. It is also a highlight of any visit to the aquarium as you can see the lovely sea-turtles being nursed back to health and preparing to return back to their homes!
A large steel dome has been placed over the former artillery block of the complex and it is in this new space that additional, large-scale tanks are being added to expand the display possibilities of different marine species. Currently, however, the main permanent exhibition of the aquarium consists of: the Northern Adriatic exhibit, the Cold freshwater habitats, the Red eared slider sanctuary, the summer terrace and a playground, and the “Evolution” exhibit with living fossils and reptiles on the ground floor; the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, the Mediterranean exhibit, the seahorses room, jellyfish, the tropical marine exhibit, the tropical freshwater exhibit, and the Nursery and Plankton exhibits on the first floor; and the three new large-scale tanks that are still under construction but will eventually expand the Northern Adriatic, tropical marine, and tropical freshwater exhibits. Be sure to also head to the roof when you visit as it boasts a wonderful view over Pula and the sea.
So, if you have found a vacation rental in Pula and are exploring this delightful city, be sure to also drop by the town's charming aquarium as well.
Aquarium Pula, Verudela bb HR-52100 Pula-Pola
+385 (0)52 381 402
+385 091 1381 405
infos@aquarium.hr
Ticket prices:
From the 1st of March to the 1st of November;
Adults - 120 kn
Children (6—18), students, seniors - 90 kn
Children (3—6) - 70 kn
From the 1st of November to the 1st of March;
Adults - 100kn
Students, seniors - 70kn
Children up to 18 years - 70kn
Children up to 7 years - 50kn
Opening hours:
1/3–31/3 from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1/4–30/4 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
1/5–31/5 and 1/10–31/10 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
1/6–30/6 and 1/9–30/9 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
1/7–31/8 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
A large steel dome has been placed over the former artillery block of the complex and it is in this new space that additional, large-scale tanks are being added to expand the display possibilities of different marine species. Currently, however, the main permanent exhibition of the aquarium consists of: the Northern Adriatic exhibit, the Cold freshwater habitats, the Red eared slider sanctuary, the summer terrace and a playground, and the “Evolution” exhibit with living fossils and reptiles on the ground floor; the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, the Mediterranean exhibit, the seahorses room, jellyfish, the tropical marine exhibit, the tropical freshwater exhibit, and the Nursery and Plankton exhibits on the first floor; and the three new large-scale tanks that are still under construction but will eventually expand the Northern Adriatic, tropical marine, and tropical freshwater exhibits. Be sure to also head to the roof when you visit as it boasts a wonderful view over Pula and the sea.
So, if you have found a vacation rental in Pula and are exploring this delightful city, be sure to also drop by the town's charming aquarium as well.
Aquarium Pula, Verudela bb HR-52100 Pula-Pola
+385 (0)52 381 402
+385 091 1381 405
infos@aquarium.hr
Ticket prices:
From the 1st of March to the 1st of November;
Adults - 120 kn
Children (6—18), students, seniors - 90 kn
Children (3—6) - 70 kn
From the 1st of November to the 1st of March;
Adults - 100kn
Students, seniors - 70kn
Children up to 18 years - 70kn
Children up to 7 years - 50kn
Opening hours:
1/3–31/3 from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1/4–30/4 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
1/5–31/5 and 1/10–31/10 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
1/6–30/6 and 1/9–30/9 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
1/7–31/8 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.