Cretaquarium - a tree stump with a face carved into it
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Cretaquarium

4.5
·27k reviews·Heraklion, Greece

Europe's largest aquarium showcasing 2,000+ Mediterranean species, from sharks to sea turtles, with interactive learning.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Fewer crowds, cooler temps

CrowdLow
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Cretaquarium - a tree stump with a face carved into it

Cretaquarium

Best Time

Weekday Mornings

Fewer crowds, cooler temps

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Europe's largest aquarium showcasing 2,000+ Mediterranean species, from sharks to sea turtles, with interactive learning.

4.5
(27k reviews)

"Spectacular, just check out the pictures. We decided to spend the time before our flight here and it was a great decision."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎟️ Book Tickets Online

Save time and skip the long queues by purchasing your Cretaquarium tickets in advance online.

🚗 Free Parking Available

Enjoy the convenience of a large, free parking area right at the aquarium entrance.

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Shark Encounters

Shark Encounters

Main Tanks

Witness impressive sharks gliding through massive tanks, a definite crowd-pleaser for all ages.

Mediterranean Marine Life

Mediterranean Marine Life

Various Exhibits

Explore over 2,000 species from the Mediterranean, from tiny seahorses to majestic sea turtles.

Interactive Touch Screens

Interactive Touch Screens

Throughout the Aquarium

Engage with modern touch screens offering detailed information about each fascinating marine creature.

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Planning Your Visit

Beat the Crowds & Heat

Visit Cretaquarium during weekdays, especially mornings, to avoid peak crowds. The indoor environment offers a cool escape from Crete's summer sun, making it ideal for a midday adventure. Booking tickets online can save you significant waiting time.

Interactive Learning & Conservation

Cretaquarium focuses on education and conservation, with interactive screens providing detailed info on marine life. While it's a fantastic visual experience, consider the Aquaworld Rescue Center if your toddler prefers more hands-on animal interaction.

Best Times

When
Weekday Mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, cooler temps
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoon (Summer)
Why
Escape the heat
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Who would you do this with?! 🐠😍 🤿 Did you know that you can take an “underwater walking tour” in this world-class aquarium that houses over 68,000 marine animals including sharks, manta rays, turtles, and tons of vibrant schooling fish? 🪸 This experience at @SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi was hands down one of the most incredible of our lives and it NEEDS to be on your bucket list. The Manta Rays...
@georgeandcris
1.6M likes • 17.1M views

🎟️ Book Tickets Online

Save time and skip the long queues by purchasing your Cretaquarium tickets in advance online. Reddit

🚗 Free Parking Available

Enjoy the convenience of a large, free parking area right at the aquarium entrance. Reddit

✅ Save this for later! 12 great places to visit for a Week in Heraklion region! ⬇️ 1. Hersonissos Port 2. Ligaria Beach 3. Knossos Palace 4. Fylakes Beach 5. Komos Beach 6. Matala Village 7. Odigitrias Monastery 8. CretAquarium 9. Agia Pelagia Village 10. Chelidoni Beach 11. Heraklion Port & Koules Fortress 12. Red Beach (Naturist) #crete #heraklion_crete #heraklion #hersonissos #allincrete #tra...
@allincrete
24.3K likes • 764.4K views
Had an amazing experience @cretaquarium 🐠 The Cretaquarium (officially Thalassokosmos) is one of the largest and most modern aquariums in Europe, and it’s located just outside Heraklion, Crete. 🌊🐠 Here are some highlights: • Marine Life: It showcases over 2,000 marine creatures from the Mediterranean, including sharks, sea turtles, seahorses, jellyfish, lobsters, and colorful reef fish. • Exhi...
kp_storiez
64 likes • 1.8K views

📱 Interactive Info Screens

Utilize the modern touch screens for detailed info on marine life, or use your phone for easy access. Reddit

🐢 See Sea Turtles

Don't miss the chance to see graceful sea turtles swimming in their dedicated habitat. TikTok

🐢🐠🇬🇷 Cretaquarium 🇬🇷🐠🐢 . Had a much needed morning out the sun and visited the cute aquarium in Crete ☺️ I do have mixed feelings about zoos and aquariums, but the focus of conservation, education and awareness put me a little more at ease 🐡🐠🌊 . #aquariums #aquarium #crete #cretaquarium #greece #travel #travelling #explore #exploring #iraklion #gouves #turtle #seaturtle #jellyfish #fish
sammihayley1
0 likes • 442 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎟️ Book Tickets Online

Save time and skip the long queues by purchasing your Cretaquarium tickets in advance online. Reddit

🚗 Free Parking Available

Enjoy the convenience of a large, free parking area right at the aquarium entrance. Reddit

📱 Interactive Info Screens

Utilize the modern touch screens for detailed info on marine life, or use your phone for easy access. Reddit

🐢 See Sea Turtles

Don't miss the chance to see graceful sea turtles swimming in their dedicated habitat. TikTok

📸 Photo Opportunities

Capture stunning underwater moments; the tanks offer fantastic photo opportunities. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.5
(27k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Cretaquarium for its well-maintained exhibits, impressive variety of marine life, and engaging interactive displays. Many highlight the cleanliness of the tanks and the informative nature of the aquarium, making it a great experience for all ages. Some note that booking tickets online is essential to avoid long waits.

"Third time coming here over the years and not once been disappointed. Lovely aquarium. Very informative and very updated now they have the new touch screens. The fish are well looked after. Its a lovely place. The tanks are impressive and just outstandingly clean. Will visit again."

JemD HOP

"We had tickets in advance for this and the entry was quick. It is a pretty sizable aquarium, if you take your time to look around you may need about an hour. At the exist there is a small gift shop where you can get a little something to remember the experience. Inside there are all kinds of fishes and it would take way too long to name them all so I will add some photos. Great place to visit, expecially with kids."

Ionut Raducanu

"Spectacular, just check out the pictures. We decided to spend the time before our flight here and it was a great decision. So many animals to see, for a great price. In total we spent about 90 minutes here and another half hour outside at the terrace under the trees."

Vlad Schnakovszki

What People Like

Impressive marine life
Clean and well-maintained
Interactive learning

What People Dislike

Long queues without online tickets

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Cretaquarium is located near Heraklion. You can drive and use the large, free parking area.Reddit Alternatively, local buses often service the route, making it accessible without a car. Check local bus schedules for the most up-to-date information on routes like the 'bus to Cretaquarium'. TikTok

The official address for Cretaquarium (Thalassokosmos) is near Gournes, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. It's easily accessible from the main coastal road.

Yes, Cretaquarium offers a big, free parking area, which is very convenient for visitors arriving by car. Reddit

Taxis are readily available in Heraklion and can take you directly to Cretaquarium. It's a convenient option if you prefer not to use public transport.

Cretaquarium is a short drive from Heraklion Airport (HER), making it a great option for a visit upon arrival or before departure.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

You can purchase Cretaquarium tickets online through their official website (www cretaquarium gr) or at the entrance. Buying online is highly recommended to avoid long queues. Reddit

Ticket prices can vary, but visitors generally find the Cretaquarium price to be reasonable for the experience. Check the official website for the most current pricing information. Reddit

Information on discounts for children, students, or seniors is usually available on the official Cretaquarium website. It's always best to check their site for any available offers.

Cretaquarium opening hours typically vary by season. It's essential to check the official website (www cretaquarium gr) for the most accurate and up-to-date opening times before your visit. Reddit

Yes, Cretaquarium online tickets are available and highly recommended to save time. This allows you to bypass the potentially long queues at the ticket counter. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Most visitors spend about 1 to 1.5 hours exploring Cretaquarium, depending on how much time you dedicate to each exhibit and the interactive screens. Reddit

The main attractions include impressive shark tanks, diverse Mediterranean marine life, sea turtles, jellyfish, and interactive screens with detailed information. TikTok

Cretaquarium is very family-friendly and engaging for children, with many fascinating creatures to see and interactive elements to learn from. Reddit

While not always explicitly advertised, you can often find information about educational programs or special tours on their website. The interactive screens also provide a self-guided learning experience. Reddit

Take your time to explore each exhibit, read the information on the interactive screens, and don't rush. The layout is well-organized, guiding you through different marine environments. Reddit

🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining

Cretaquarium typically has a cafe or snack bar where you can purchase refreshments. For a full meal, you might need to explore dining options outside the aquarium.

Generally, bringing outside food and drinks into aquariums is discouraged. It's best to check their specific policy, but usually, you'll need to rely on their onsite facilities.

Onsite cafes usually offer snacks, light meals, coffee, and drinks. It's a good place to grab a quick bite during your visit.

📸 📸 Photography

Yes, photography is generally allowed inside Cretaquarium, but flash photography might be restricted in certain areas to protect the marine life. Instagram

The large shark tanks, the sea turtle exhibits, and the colorful jellyfish displays offer fantastic photo opportunities. Instagram

Avoid using flash, especially in darker exhibits. Try to get close to the glass for clearer shots and be patient for the perfect moment. Instagram

Video recording is usually permitted, but again, be mindful of any restrictions on flash or excessive noise that might disturb the animals.

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Cretaquarium is a fantastic family outing! The interactive screens make learning fun for children, and the sheer variety of marine life, from colorful fish to impressive sharks, will keep them captivated. InstagramReddit Plan for about 1-1.5 hours to explore without rushing. Consider bringing snacks or utilizing the onsite cafe for quick bites. Booking Cretaquarium tickets online is a must to avoid meltdowns in long queues. Reddit

💰 Budget Travelers

Cretaquarium offers good value for money, especially considering the scale and quality of the exhibits. The Cretaquarium price is generally considered reasonable, and the free parking is a significant saving. Reddit Look for potential discounts on their official website. Packing your own water bottle and a few snacks can also help keep costs down, though check their policy on outside food. Reddit

📸 Photography Enthusiasts

For photographers, Cretaquarium presents a unique challenge and opportunity. The underwater photography opportunities are abundant, with sharks, turtles, and vibrant reef fish providing stunning subjects. Instagram Remember to disable your flash to avoid disturbing the animals and to get clearer shots. Experiment with different angles and patience to capture the magic of the marine world. Instagram

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

Understanding Cretaquarium's Mission

Cretaquarium, also known as Thalassokosmos, is more than just a display of marine life; it's a significant research and conservation center. Its primary mission is to educate the public about the importance of marine ecosystems and the threats they face. The aquarium showcases over 2,000 species from the Mediterranean Sea, highlighting the biodiversity of this vital region. TikTok

Visitors can learn about the delicate balance of marine life through well-maintained exhibits and informative displays. The focus on conservation is evident, aiming to foster a greater appreciation and understanding of the underwater world. This educational aspect makes Cretaquarium a valuable experience for all ages, encouraging a sense of responsibility towards protecting our oceans. Instagram

Navigating Your Visit: Tickets and Timing

To make the most of your Cretaquarium visit, planning ahead is key. Purchasing Cretaquarium tickets online is highly recommended to bypass potentially long queues, especially during peak season. This allows for a smoother entry and more time to enjoy the exhibits. Reddit

The Cretaquarium opening hours can vary depending on the time of year, so it's crucial to check their official website (www cretaquarium gr) for the most current information. Visiting on a weekday morning is often advised to avoid the largest crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience. The indoor environment also provides a welcome respite from the Cretan sun, making it a perfect midday activity. TikTok

Interactive Learning and Family Fun

Cretaquarium excels in providing an engaging experience for families. Beyond the captivating marine life, the aquarium features interactive touch screens that offer detailed insights into each species. This technology allows visitors, especially children, to learn about the creatures in a fun and accessible way. Reddit

While Cretaquarium is a fantastic destination for families, some travelers suggest that for toddlers who prefer more direct interaction, the Aquaworld Rescue Center might be a better fit, though parking can be more challenging there. Reddit Nevertheless, Cretaquarium's vast array of fish, sharks, and sea turtles provides endless fascination for younger visitors, making it a memorable outing. Instagram

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