Acquario Civico di Milano

The Acquario Civico di Milano (Civic Aquarium of Milan) is housed in an Art Nouveau period building complete with friezes and hand-painted tiles. Established in 1906 as part of the International Exhibition in Milan, it is the third oldest aquarium in Europe. This small but beautiful aquarium, located at the edge of Milan’s largest public park, Parco Sempione, houses many varieties of sea creature in well-maintained, clearly labelled display tanks.

What to expect:

An educational and immersive path that follows water’s journey –  from alpine springs to deep sea – through both freshwater and marine habitats.

The aquarium houses dozens of tanks (approximately 10 freshwater, 12 marine) featuring more than 100 species. There’s also a tropical display (a Red Sea reef) to highlight climate change effects on ecosystems.

It’s not just for watching: there are guided tours, educational programmes for families and schools, special exhibits and events, and even “behind the scenes” experiences.

Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00-17:30 (last entry 17:00) – closed on Mondays.

This aquarium is perfect for children who love nature and science, especially those curious about how ecosystems work. It’s manageable in size (not overwhelming), beautifully located, and offers both indoor educational value (shows, tanks, guided paths) and green outdoor surroundings – ideal for a family day out where you can mix learning with exploration.