Aquarium of Cattolica

Cattolica aquarium, the second largest in Italy and the biggest on the Adriatic, hosts 10,000 marine animals, including the largest tiger sharks in Italy. Thousands of species live in hundreds of display tanks, arranged along four different itineraries, housed in a complex of period buildings dating from the 1930s, whose shape recalls that of a fleet of ships, which are protected by the Architectural Heritage Authority.

Each itinerary has a different colour and each refers to a different environmental setting. The Blue itinerary is dedicated to marine environments; here visitors can admire the aquarium on an interactive journey through magnificent underwater settings to see numerous species of fish, jellyfish, shellfish, coral, seahorses and sharks. What stand out in particular on the Blue itinerary are the Humboldt penguins and the huge central tank, which contains 700,000 litres of saltwater and is home to the largest tiger sharks in Italy. Meanwhile, the Yellow itinerary is dedicated to freshwater river environments and otters and caimans, whilst the Green itinerary hosts reptiles, amphibians and insects from all around the world.

At the aquarium, every day is an adventure, starting from the huge shark’s mouth that welcomes visitors at the entrance, to the fascinating Mangrove Forest, to the interactive areas with games and surprises and the immersive area called Plastifiniamola - No More Plastic, which highlights a particular focus and awareness towards the environment, especially the global emergency of plastic pollution in the sea. The visit concludes with the Purple itinerary and the exhibition Abissi, terra aliena - The Abysses, an alien land about the species that populate the marine abysses, symbolised by the reproduction of a 13-metre giant squid.

Included in the ticket price are the exciting educational and interactive appointments with the Aquarium staff during the daily feeding of the sharks, penguins, otters and stingrays. New this year is the extraordinary opportunity for members of the public, subject to pre-booking, to interact with the aquarium alongside experts, turning any visit into a truly unforgettable experience with Dietro le Quinte - Behind the Scenes, I Segreti del Rettilario - Secrets of the Reptile House, Voci dal Mare - Voices from the Sea and Piccolo Veterinario - Young Vet, the latter dedicated to our youngest guests. 

Timetable and Calendar: www.acquariodicattolica.it/en/info/opening-times-and-days

Tickets: www.acquariodicattolica.it/en/tickets/individual-prices