CRETAquarium Thalassokosmos
CRETAquarium Thalassokosmos things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Plan your stay

Affordable Hotels in Municipality of Chersonissos
Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

The Coolest Hotels You Haven't Heard Of (Yet)
Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.

Trending Stays Worth the Hype in Municipality of Chersonissos
Find a cozy hotel nearby and make it a full experience.
Posts
Wonderful experience. Google maps took us straight there although we did think at one point it was mistaken because you drive through a derelict area before getting to the aquarium....but trust Google....it's right! The aquarium itself was clean, well laid out with a good range of marine life, from seahorses to sharks and the information regarding fish and other inhabitants was clear and detailed. For €3 you can opt for the 'self guided' audio which is a telephone ....tip: take your own headphones otherwise you just use device as you would a mobile phone. They also have a fantastic VR (virtual reality) experience for an additional €3. NB to save disappointment be aware that the the VR is for 12yrs and over and they are strict about this....we had a very disappointed 9 year old, but he soon recovered when he saw the resident turtle! Venue is clean- the staff were very good and spoke excellent English. There was a snack bar outside the entrance but inside was a restaurant the was reasonably priced with a good range on the menu. The aquarium shop was no different to any themed curios shop....lots of bits but over priced. In saying that, it's still a real thumbs up as a family trip and well worth the money.
Leanne Calvert
00
Dreckig und klein. Fische werden nicht artgerecht gehalten. It's a very small aquarium, just the basics including a bigger tank with big fish and a very small shark. Waste of money, we walked through it in less than 20min and left sad and feeling bad for the fish there. If I'd rated the staff alone it would get 0 stars! Not only because they keep the fish in dirty and small tanks but also because they were very rude. My 2 year old was the only one who had a great time and she expressed her excitement accordingly with giggling and laughing out loud - apparently this was not welcomed, as a woman working there shushed at her and told us to shut her up,... I'd understand it if my daughter was crying out loud but she was literally just happy and excited and expressed it accordingly. Plenty other babies that were there crying and screaming but I guess MY daughters laughter was irritating her. Probably act of racism that surely will be denied, in any case horrible staff, did they want me to taped her mouth shut or make her cry or leave, literally because my daughter was too happy? Honestly, for me as an adult it was pretty boring and sad to watch the fish being kept like that. I have seen a lot better, bigger and more clean aquariums around the world. Save your money and don't go there. I recommend the semi-submarine cruise if you want to see fish in their natural habitat.
D. Ti
00
I don't want to spoil the experience of this place for anyone so have only uploaded a small amount of photos and no videos. I've been to quite a few aquariums, and I can honestly say I was very impressed with this one. The tanks looked clean and in good condition. The lighting was just right for getting good photos of the fish/creatures in the tanks. There was lots of information available in English, and educational stuff about pollution. We arrived at about 09.30 on whit Monday and there was no queue to get in. It was quite quiet at first with not too many people inside, but then it started to get busier. I'd definitely say it's worth getting here as early as you can to make sure you get to experience everything in relative calm and quiet. I just honestly was so impressed with this aquarium and could have spent hours watching the fish. If I was a local, this would be a regular haunt for me. There are toilets half way round, and toilets when you get out too. There is a small shop and a restaurant. We wanted to do the VR experience, but it was not obvious where you had to queue to get tickets for this 🤷♀️
Hannah's Adventures in Nature
00
I recently visited CRETAQUARIUM in Crete, and I was thoroughly impressed by the diversity of marine life on display. The aquarium offers a captivating journey through underwater ecosystems, showcasing an incredible array of fish species, from colorful tropical fish to majestic sharks and graceful sea turtles. The atmosphere inside the aquarium is wonderfully cozy, with dim lighting that enhances the sense of being submerged in the ocean's depths. The carefully designed exhibits create an immersive experience, allowing visitors to feel like they're exploring the ocean floor. In terms of information, CRETAQUARIUM excels at providing educational content about marine life, conservation efforts, and the importance of protecting our oceans. Overall, my visit to CRETAQUARIUM was a unique and memorable experience. The combination of diverse marine life, cozy ambiance, and informative displays makes it a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in the wonders of the ocean. It's an enchanting journey that leaves you with a deeper appreciation for the beauty and fragility of our marine ecosystems.
Anca B
00
This is the perfect rainy day activity. We came here and spent about 2 hours here. You can spend less or more time here depending on how much you want to read. The aquarium is well kept and well organized. Each tank has a QR code that you can scan on your phone and read about each type of fish in the tank. There are dozens and dozens of tanks to see. You can play I Spy with the kids and try to find each fish in the tank. If you don't want to scan the QR code that's okay too because they have a tablet screen there that you can see each fish and read about them there too. It's very convenient for everyone. There are some interactive games in different areas of the aquarium. We learned a lot about different fish that are becoming extinct, as well as how some of them made it to the Mediterranean sea. It was an educational experience and lots of fun. There is a gift shop at the end and a cafe if you're hungry.
Kristen McGuin
00
Excellent way to spend the mid day burning hours somewhere inside with AC! The aquarium is fairly large, presenting a diverse set of species of fish and other sea creatures, but it lacks in some areas of main attraction (e.g. few turtles, no sharks). The tanks are of all sizes, appropriate for their inhabitants and very well lit for visitors. There are also labels in multiple languages so you can know what you’re looking at. Note: the VR experience is only available for 12 years or older. There is an ample parking lot right next to the property, so don’t be a jerk and park on the street like some of the poorly educated tourists we saw. It’s free and convenient. There is a shop on the premises with all sorts of cool marine life related memorabilia, decent prices. There is also a cantina/bar, but we haven’t tried it. Overall a good place to visit, good experience!
Ioan Orzetic
00
Nearby Attractions Of CRETAquarium Thalassokosmos
Dinosauria Park
Gournes Beach
Gouves Animal Shelter
Planet Crete - Πλανητάριο

Dinosauria Park
4.2
(1.9K)
Click for details

Gournes Beach
4.2
(156)
Click for details

Gouves Animal Shelter
4.7
(148)
Click for details

Planet Crete - Πλανητάριο
3.5
(33)
Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of CRETAquarium Thalassokosmos
Ταβέρνα ΚΡΗΤΕΣ
Pepper grill & more
Mikri Vouli
Senso cafe bar
Cibus
Find The Taste By The Sea
Cibrus

Ταβέρνα ΚΡΗΤΕΣ
4.3
(533)
Click for details

Pepper grill & more
4.6
(236)
Click for details

Mikri Vouli
4.7
(175)
Click for details

Senso cafe bar
4.7
(86)
Click for details
Basic Info
Address
Heraklion 710 03, Greece
Map
Phone
+30 281 033 7788
Call
Website
cretaquarium.gr
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.5
(9.7K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
entertainment
family friendly
accessibility
Description
Cretaquarium or Thalassocosmos is a public aquarium located near the town of Gournes in Crete, Greece, 15 km east of the city of Heraklion.
attractions: Dinosauria Park, Gournes Beach, Gouves Animal Shelter, Planet Crete - Πλανητάριο, restaurants: Ταβέρνα ΚΡΗΤΕΣ, Pepper grill & more, Mikri Vouli, Senso cafe bar, Cibus, Find The Taste By The Sea, Cibrus
