01Cattolica Aquarium at a glance
A day out with the children from Hotel Viking, the Antonioli family's family hotel in Viserbella di Rimini: the Acquario di Cattolica (Cattolica Aquarium) is housed in Le Navi, a 1930s building on the seafront at Cattolica, with shark tanks, penguins and three indoor routes – perfect even when it rains.
It is 31.5 km from the hotel, about 40 minutes by car. After the park, it's back to the pool or the beach, 100 metres from the hotel.
| Where | Piazzale delle Nazioni 1/A, 47841 Cattolica (RN). For your satnav: via Francia |
|---|---|
| From the hotel by car | 31.5 km, about 40 minutes |
| Tickets | paid entry; cheaper online, children up to 1 m free |
| Who it is for | families with children and teenagers |
02The park
- The Aquarium is housed in 'Le Navi' (The Ships), 1930s buildings designed in 1933 by the Roman architect and engineer Clemente Busiri Vici as the 'XXVIII Ottobre' seaside holiday colony. The complex was built in nine months and opened on 28 June 1934.
- The original core consisted of five buildings inspired by the world of sea and air travel: ships, aeroplanes, seaplanes, railcars and submarines. Their shapes are often likened to Italian Futurism.
- In 1944, as the front line passed through, the colony became a military hospital. After the war it was renamed 'Colonia Marina G. De Michelis'.
- The park was inaugurated and opened to the public on 10 June 2000, just eleven months after work began. The conservation work was carried out under the supervision of the Soprintendenza (the heritage authority).
- The restoration project was by the Rome-based practice Acca C: the links between the buildings and the seawater filtration systems were built underground, 4.7 metres below sea level.
- The complex covers 110,000 square metres facing the sea. The large garden, more than 49,000 square metres, is open to everyone as a public park.
03What to see
The ticket covers 5 itineraries: the Blue, Green and Yellow routes and two exhibitions, 'Il Mondo dei Dinosauri' (The World of Dinosaurs, outdoors) and 'Insetti Giganti XXL Edition' (Giant Insects, indoors).
On the Blue route, the large central tank holds 700,000 litres of water and is home to sand tiger sharks and nurse sharks. The sand tiger shark, which grows up to 3.20 metres long, is considered the largest shark in Italy.
The Blue route is also home to a colony of 14 Humboldt penguins: some came from other conservation facilities as part of the EAZA programme, others were born in Cattolica.
The Yellow route is devoted to wetlands, with Asian small-clawed otters (the smallest otter in the world) and Cuvier's dwarf caiman. New for 2026 is 'Il Relitto dei Giganti' (The Wreck of the Giants), with Mediterranean groupers, moray eels and scorpionfish.
The Aquarium has no dolphins or other cetaceans. The only contact allowed with the animals is with the stingrays in the touch pool.
Sources: acquariodicattolica.it. Information checked in October 2026.
04With children
- It's a good choice on rainy days too: the three routes and the giant insects exhibition are indoors. On wet days, though, it gets very busy and you may have to queue outside.
- The Blue route and the insects exhibition have stairs, so the Aquarium recommends baby carriers or backpack carriers instead of a pushchair. There are baby-changing tables in the toilets.
- A visit takes 2 to 4 hours. You can bring a packed lunch: there are gazebos and picnic tables in the outdoor green area.
- The penguins are fed every day at 10:30am and 2:30pm. The sharks are fed on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 3:15pm.
Sources: acquariodicattolica.it. Information checked in October 2026.
At Hotel Viking, children have the pool with a lifeguard, the garden with play equipment and kids' entertainment on the beach: everything you need for the days without a theme park. You'll find more ideas for families on our family hotel page.
05Opening times, tickets and parking
2026 season, as published by the Aquarium: open daily from 2 April to 13 September (but closed on 14, 21 and 28 April and on 5, 12, 19 and 26 May). Then on 18-19-20 and 25-26-27 September, weekends in October, 31 October and 1 November, Sundays in November, 5 to 8 December, 13 and 20 December and from 26 December to 6 January 2027. The 2027 calendar can also be downloaded from the website. Opening times: in low season 10am–6.30pm (ticket office 10am–4.30pm). In high season, from 1 July to 30 August, 10am–7.30pm (ticket office 10am–5.30pm). 2026 prices: adults €21.50 online / €25.00 at the ticket office; reduced (children from 100 to 140 cm) and seniors over 65 €19.00 online / €20.00 at the ticket office; children up to 100 cm free. For €5 extra you can come back on a second day of your choice. Parking: car and campervan spaces next to the park, run by the Cooperativa La Brianza (tel. 333 3444174), not included in the ticket. By car: A14, Cattolica exit, about 4 km from the toll booth; the park is on the Cattolica seafront promenade, on the border with Portoverde di Misano Adriatico. By bus from Rimini: no. 11 to Riccione (P.le Curiel), then bus no. 125 to stop 71 'Acquario di Cattolica'.
Opening times, calendars and prices change every year: always check the park's official website before you go.
Sources: acquariodicattolica.it. Information checked in October 2026.
06How to get there from Hotel Viking
The Cattolica Aquarium is on the Cattolica seafront promenade, on the border with Misano. By car from the hotel it is about 30 km, 35–40 minutes via the A14 motorway (Cattolica exit) or along the Adriatica main road. There are car and campervan parks next to the park.
Your space at the hotel stays reserved in our private car park, which is fenced and covered by CCTV.
07Nearby
- Portoverde di Misano Adriatico, right next to the Aquarium
- Cattolica seafront promenade and beach, next to the park
- Cattolica town centre
- Riccione
- Oltremare
- Aquafan
More ideas on our things to do in Rimini and events in Rimini pages.
08What our guests say
What families who have stayed with us say.
Activities for children
«Hotel very close to the sea, with a pool, nice and helpful staff. A more than good stay, garden and activities for children»
Safe for children
“a lovely pool, very convenient parking, safe for children, and close to the theme parks if you want”
09FAQ
Who designed 'Le Navi', the building that houses the Cattolica Aquarium?
The Roman architect and engineer Clemente Busiri Vici. In 1933 he designed the 'XXVIII Ottobre' seaside holiday colony, opened in 1934, with buildings shaped like ships. The restoration and conversion into an aquarium were carried out by the Rome-based practice Acca C, and the park opened on 10 June 2000.
Are there dolphins at the Cattolica Aquarium?
No. The Aquarium has no dolphins or other cetaceans. Its main animals include sand tiger sharks, Humboldt penguins, stingrays, jellyfish, Asian otters and dwarf caimans.
How far is Hotel Viking from the Cattolica Aquarium?
31.5 km, about 40 minutes by car.
How do I get to the Cattolica Aquarium?
The Cattolica Aquarium is on the Cattolica seafront promenade, on the border with Misano. By car from the hotel it is about 30 km, 35–40 minutes via the A14 motorway (Cattolica exit) or along the Adriatica main road. There are car and campervan parks next to the park.
Where to stay with children?
At Hotel Viking in Viserbella di Rimini, a 3-star family hotel 100 metres from the sea, with a lifeguarded pool, a garden with play equipment, Junior Suites sleeping up to 6 and a private car park.
Is the Cattolica Aquarium open all year round?
No: it opens seasonally, on a calendar that changes every year; the dates are on the park's official website.
