Although a country with beautiful sea and sea rich in marine life, Croatia has very few aquariums. The best known is the one in Dubrovnik and it is also the most interesting one despite it’s small collection. Dubrovnik sea aquarium is situated within the walls of the medieval fortress St. Ivan (St. John’s) and it is probably housed in one of the most unique spaces in the World.

The aquarium is quite nicely arranged and the collection of fish represents some of the most common local fish like stingrays, conger eels, moray, scorpion fish, and spotted dogfish alongside spiny lobster, grouper, and other specimens. There are 27 tanks in total and some of the fish are not marked correctly so that will be confusing for people who don’t know anything about fish. Also, some fish is obviously missing but overall, nice collection for anyone interested in local marine flora and fauna.

The lighting parts a very important part of the display making the aquarium  a very pretty place.  Visitors can also see sponges, sea weeds, corals, starfish, sea urchins, snails, lobsters, sea horse, octopus, etc.

This is a nice place for kids and all visitors looking for this type of museum. However, the cost of 40 kn (cc 6 €) may be a bit steep for such a small collection.The museum is easy to reach: once you are in Old Town harbor, just walk towards the fortress and, on your right, you will see a sign. Follow it through the passage in the walls and, on your left, you will see the entrance.

Address: Damjana Jude 2, Dubrovnik
Location: St. John’s Fortress
Phone: 021/427-937
Web: http://www.imp-du.com/index.php?action=aquarium_dubrovnik&lan=en