01Cattolica Aquarium at a glance
A day out with the children from Hotel Viking, the Antonioli family's hotel in Viserbella di Rimini. The Cattolica Aquarium is housed in Le Navi, a 1930s building on the seafront at Cattolica, with shark tanks, penguins and three indoor routes, so it's a good bet even when it rains.
It's 31.5 km from the hotel, about 40 minutes by car. Afterwards there's still time for the pool or the beach, 150 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 | you pay to get in; cheaper online, children up to 1 m tall go free |
| Good for | families with children and teenagers |
02The park
- The Aquarium is housed in 'Le Navi' (The Ships), a group of buildings designed in 1933 by the Rome architect and engineer Clemente Busiri Vici as the 'XXVIII Ottobre' seaside holiday camp. They took nine months to build and opened on 28 June 1934.
- There were originally five buildings, each inspired by travel by sea and air: ships, aeroplanes, seaplanes, railcars and submarines. Their shapes are often compared to Italian Futurism.
- In 1944, when the front line passed through, the camp became a military hospital. After the war it was renamed 'Colonia Marina G. De Michelis'.
- The park opened to the public on 10 June 2000, just eleven months after work started. The restoration was overseen by the Soprintendenza, the state heritage authority.
- The restoration was designed by the Rome practice Acca C. The passages linking the buildings and the seawater filtration plant were built underground, 4.7 metres below sea level.
- The site covers 110,000 square metres on the seafront. Its large garden, over 49,000 square metres, is open to everyone as a public park.
03What to see
Your ticket covers 5 itineraries: the Blue, Green and Yellow routes plus two exhibitions, 'Il Mondo dei Dinosauri' (The World of Dinosaurs, outdoors) and 'Insetti Giganti XXL Edition' (Giant Insects, indoors).
On the Blue route, the big central tank holds 700,000 litres of water and is home to sand tiger sharks and nurse sharks. The sand tiger shark grows up to 3.20 metres long and is said to be the largest shark in Italy.
The Blue route also has a colony of 14 Humboldt penguins. Some came from other conservation centres through the EAZA network; others were born in Cattolica.
The Yellow route is all about wetlands, with Asian small-clawed otters (the world's smallest otter) 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.
There are no dolphins or other cetaceans. The only animals you can touch are the stingrays in the touch pool.
Sources: acquariodicattolica.it. Information checked in October 2026.
04With children
- It's a good option on rainy days, as the three routes and the giant insects exhibition are all indoors. Expect crowds when it rains, though, and you may have to queue outside.
- The Blue route and the insects exhibition have stairs, so the Aquarium suggests a baby carrier rather than a pushchair. There are baby-changing tables in the toilets.
- Allow 2 to 4 hours. You can bring a packed lunch: there are gazebos and picnic tables in the garden outside.
- 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, so there's plenty to do on the days you're not at a park. For more ideas, see our family hotel page.
05Opening times, tickets and parking
The 2026 season as published by the Aquarium: open daily from 2 April to 13 September (closed on 14, 21 and 28 April and on 5, 12, 19 and 26 May). After that: 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 26 December to 6 January 2027. You can also download the 2027 calendar from the website. Opening times: low season 10am–6.30pm (ticket office 10am–4.30pm); high season, 1 July to 30 August, 10am–7.30pm (ticket office 10am–5.30pm). 2026 prices: adults €21.50 online / €25.00 at the gate; reduced (children 100 to 140 cm tall) and over-65s €19.00 online / €20.00 at the gate; children up to 100 cm free. For €5 more you can come back on a second day of your choice. Parking: car and campervan spaces next to the park, run by 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, on the border with Portoverde di Misano Adriatico. By bus from Rimini: no. 11 to Riccione (P.le Curiel), then 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.
06Where to stay for the Aquarium: getting there from Hotel Viking
Looking for accommodation to visit the Cattolica Aquarium? Hotel Viking is in Viserbella di Rimini, about 30 km away, with a pool and hot tub, a garden, private parking and Junior Suites for up to 6. It is a handy base for Italia in Miniatura (2 km), Aquafan and Oltremare (about 21 km) on the same holiday. See our offers and ask for a quote.
The Cattolica Aquarium is on the seafront at Cattolica, on the border with Misano. By car from the hotel it's about 30 km, 35–40 minutes on the A14 motorway (Cattolica exit) or along the Adriatica main road. There's parking for cars and campervans next to the park.
Your space in our private car park, fenced and covered by CCTV, stays free for you while you're out.
07Nearby
- Portoverde di Misano Adriatico, next door 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 Rome architect and engineer Clemente Busiri Vici. In 1933 he designed the 'XXVIII Ottobre' seaside holiday camp, which opened in 1934, as a set of buildings shaped like ships. The Rome practice Acca C restored them and turned them into the aquarium, and the park opened on 10 June 2000.
Are there dolphins at the Cattolica Aquarium?
No. There are no dolphins or other cetaceans. The main animals are 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 seafront at Cattolica, on the border with Misano. From the hotel it's about 30 km by car, 35–40 minutes on the A14 motorway (Cattolica exit) or along the Adriatica main road. There's parking for cars and campervans next to the park.
Where can we stay with children?
Hotel Viking in Viserbella di Rimini is a 3-star family hotel 150 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 for the season, and the dates change every year. You'll find them on the park's official website.
