Aquarium Napoli
In the heart of the Villa Comunale, overlooking the Gulf, there is a place where Naples tells its deepest story: its connection with the sea. The Naples Aquarium is not just a visit, but an encounter with an underwater world that has fascinated travelers, scholars and curious minds for over a century.
- A European first
Founded in 1874 by the German scientist Anton Dohrn, the Aquarium of the Zoological Station is the oldest public aquarium in Europe. Originally created to support scientific research, it remains today one of the most important centers for the study of marine biology.
Its location is no coincidence: Naples, with its biodiversity-rich gulf, has long been a natural laboratory for observing and understanding marine life.
- A journey through the Mediterranean
Visiting the Aquarium means stepping into a path that tells the story of the Mediterranean in all its forms. The tanks host local marine species — fish, mollusks, crustaceans and corals — offering an authentic glimpse into an ecosystem that is both close and often unknown.
The historic halls, with their 19th-century architecture, enhance the experience: here science meets beauty, transforming the visit into a visual narrative of light, water and movement.
- Curiosities to discover
The Aquarium is part of the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, an internationally renowned research institution still active today.
It was among the first in the world to use innovative systems for circulating seawater, making live observation of marine species possible.
Over time, it hosted scholars from across Europe, contributing to the development of modern marine biology.
An experience between city and nature
Visiting the Naples Aquarium is an invitation to see Naples from another perspective — that of the sea, which has always shaped its identity, culture and imagination.
INFO
ADDRESS: c/o Darwin Dohrn Museum, Zoological Station of Naples, Villa Comunale; Viale Dohrn 49 – 80121 Naples
PHONE NUMBER: +39 081 5833 442 (Thursday to Sunday, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm)
WEB: https://fondazionedohrn.it/aquarium/
MAIL: biglietteria@fondazionedohrn.it
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Visit the sites along the itinerary “Beyond the walls: from Villa Pignatelli to the Duca di Martina Museum”
