CRETAquarium Admission Ticket Heraklion

4.4 (2,790 reviews) from travellers who booked this experience

DurationTicket valid for 1 day
Open onSelect your date to see available days and time slots (slots start at 09:30 on the checked date)
Meeting pointCRETAquarium entrance, Gournes, near Heraklion
Skip the line

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Overview

This is a skip-the-line admission ticket for CRETAquarium, the large public aquarium at Gournes on the coast east of Heraklion. Your voucher is valid on the day you choose and gives you entry for your time slot, so you go straight to the entrance instead of queuing at the ticket desk. Inside, a route of tanks takes you through Mediterranean habitats and a tropical section. It suits families, couples and anyone who wants a cool, easy activity in Crete. Transport and a guided tour are not part of this ticket.

Highlights

Skip-the-line entrance for your chosen time slot
Ticket valid for the whole day you select
Over 1,200 marine animals to see
Mediterranean habitats and a tropical section
Easy activity for families and rainy or very hot days
Wheelchair accessible visit
Meet directly at the entrance in Gournes

Full Description

CRETAquarium at Gournes, near Heraklion

CRETAquarium is one of the biggest aquariums in the Mediterranean and one of the most popular things to do in Heraklion with children. It sits on the shore at Gournes, roughly 15 km east of the city, in a large building beside the sea and is run as a marine research and education centre.

If you are asking whether CRETAquarium is worth visiting, the answer is yes for anyone who likes sea life: the visit is well organised, mostly indoors and easy to fit into a morning or an afternoon. Most people spend around one and a half to two hours inside.

Mediterranean marine life inside the aquarium

The main part of the visit is devoted to the sea around Crete. Tanks recreate rocky reefs, seagrass meadows, sandy bottoms and open water, so you see the fish, rays, octopus, eels and other animals that live just off the Cretan coast. Displays change from time to time.

Information panels explain how the Mediterranean ecosystem works and why species such as sea turtles and seahorses need protection. It is a calm, educational route that works well for school-age children and curious adults alike. Allow enough time to read the panels, because they turn the tanks into a short lesson about the sea that surrounds the island.

The tropical section and the big tanks

After the Mediterranean rooms you reach the tropical section, where colourful reef fish, corals and exotic species from warmer seas add a contrast in colour and shape. Lighting and tank design make it a good place for photos without a flash.

The largest tanks let you stand close to bigger fish and watch them glide past the glass. Take your time here, as this is the part children usually remember most, and there is a shop near the exit if you want a souvenir. Photos come out best when you stand close to the glass and wait a moment for the fish to swim past your camera.

Planning your CRETAquarium visit: tickets, opening hours and how to get there

Your CRETAquarium ticket is valid for one day. Choose a time slot when you book; if you arrive after your slot you can still enter that day but may lose the skip-the-line benefit. CRETAquarium opening hours change by season, so check the day you select in the booking panel.

To get to CRETAquarium from Heraklion, most visitors use a rental car or a taxi, which takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic, and there is parking at the site. Transport is not included, so plan it before your date.

Itinerary

Meet at the entrance in GournesArrive about 10 to 15 minutes before your time slot at the CRETAquarium entrance.
Skip-the-line entryShow your voucher and go straight in through the fast entrance for your slot.
Mediterranean galleriesFollow the route past tanks of local fish, rays and other sea life, about 45 minutes.
Tropical section and large tanksSee reef fish, corals and the biggest displays, about 30 to 45 minutes.
Shop and exitFinish at the gift shop and leave at your own pace; the ticket is valid for one visit that day.

What's included

Admission ticket to CRETAquarium
Skip-the-line entrance for your time slot

Not included

Transport to the aquarium
Guided tour and audio guide
Food and drinks
Personal expenses

Is this right for you?

Great for

Travellers short on time — skip-the-line entry

Not suitable for

Visitors who need a guided tour or audio guide, as neither is included
Travellers who need hotel transport, as transport is not included
Anyone who cannot visit on the day and time slot selected

Meeting point

Meet at the CRETAquarium entrance in Gournes, near Heraklion. Show your voucher on your phone or printed for your chosen time slot to use the skip-the-line entrance. Hotel pick-up is not included, so arrange your own car, taxi or local bus and allow extra time for parking.

Important information

Bring your voucher, on your phone or printed, and show it at the entrance.
Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your time slot to make use of the skip-the-line entrance.
If you miss your time slot the ticket is still valid that day, but you may not skip the queue.
Opening hours change by season and on public holidays, so check the date you choose.
The visit is wheelchair accessible.
Follow the staff signs about flash photography and keep your voice low near the tanks.
Food and drinks, personal expenses, a guided tour and an audio guide are not included.

Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.

How much does the CRETAquarium ticket cost?

The price depends on the ticket category, adult or child, and the booking panel on this page shows the current price for each. Choose your date and time slot to see it.

Is hotel pick-up included?

No. This is an admission ticket only, so you travel to Gournes by car, taxi or local transport and meet at the entrance.

How long does a visit to CRETAquarium take?

Most visitors spend about one and a half to two hours, depending on how long children want to stay at each tank.

Is CRETAquarium suitable for children?

Yes, it is one of the best family activities near Heraklion. The child ticket covers ages 5 to 17, and younger children up to 4 years old are also welcome as infants.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes admission to CRETAquarium and skip-the-line entrance for your time slot. A guided tour, an audio guide, transport and food are not included.

Can I book for today or tomorrow?

Yes, when time slots are available. Select the date in the booking panel and you will see the slots open for that day.

What happens if I arrive after my time slot?

The ticket stays valid for the day, so you can still go in, but you may have to use the normal queue instead of the skip-the-line entrance.

Is CRETAquarium worth visiting?

Yes, if you enjoy marine life or travel with children. It is mostly indoors, so it also works on rainy days or in the heat of the afternoon.

Is the aquarium accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes, the visit is wheelchair accessible. Let us know before you travel if you have specific needs.