The building was originally intended to serve as the 'Royal Institute of Marine Biology' during the Italian occupation of Rhodes.
The interior architecture features decorative shells and motifs embedded into the walls to create an immersive cavernous atmosphere.
It is the only public aquarium in Greece that functions primarily as a scientific research institute.
The water used in the tanks is pumped directly from the surrounding sea through a specialized filtration system.
The facility serves as a vital rehabilitation sanctuary for Caretta caretta sea turtles found injured in the Dodecanese.
It occupies the northernmost tip of Rhodes island, effectively separating the Aegean and Levantine seas.
The Aquarium of Rhodes is housed in a distinct Art Deco building designed by architect Armando Bernabiti and completed in 1935. It functions as a research facility operated by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR). The exhibition space consists of a subterranean corridor designed to mimic an underwater cave, featuring 13 tanks carved directly into the walls. The facility specializes in showcasing Mediterranean marine life, including local species of sharks, sea turtles, octopuses, and crustaceans. It also serves as a rescue and rehabilitation center for injured sea turtles and seals found in the Aegean Sea. Educational displays provide insights into the local marine ecosystem and scientific research conducted in the Dodecanese region.
The external Art Deco facade is the most iconic visual, particularly the arched entrance.
Combine your visit with a walk around the northernmost point of the island immediately afterward.
Visit during the shoulder season to avoid the high density of cruise ship crowds.
Do not use flash photography, as the low light and reflective glass tanks are sensitive.
Avoid visiting during the peak heat of midday in July or August to escape the intense pedestrian traffic in the immediate vicinity.
Maintain a quiet volume and do not tap on the glass enclosures.
