Things to do · Updated 11 October 2026 · 5 min read
Cretaquarium with a baby or toddler: a parent guide
Cretaquarium (also called Thalassocosmos) in Gournes is one of the easiest family outings in Crete with a baby or toddler: it is indoors, step-free with ramps and lifts, and a visit takes about one to one and a half hours. Go at opening time or late afternoon to avoid the crowds, and pair it with Dinosauria Park nearby for a full morning.
| Where | Gournes, north coast, about 15 km east of Heraklion city |
|---|---|
| From Heraklion Airport | About 12 km, 15-20 minutes by car |
| Time needed | 1-1.5 hours, a little more with a curious toddler |
| Stroller | Yes, fully accessible with ramps and lifts |
| Best time | Opening time or late afternoon, avoid rainy days and midday |
| Nearby | Dinosauria Park, Gouves beaches, Watercity |
What is Cretaquarium?
Cretaquarium is the public aquarium of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, on the site of a former air base at Gournes on the coast east of Heraklion. Its tanks focus on the Mediterranean: shoals of fish, octopus, rays, seahorses, jellyfish and sharks, with large tanks that small children can stand right in front of. For a toddler, it is simply a building full of fish at eye level, which is exactly the point.
It is one of the few major attractions in Crete that is fully indoors, which makes it a good plan for a very hot afternoon, a windy day when the beach is rough, or one of the rare rainy days in spring and autumn.
Cretaquarium with a stroller
This is where Cretaquarium really stands out. The route is accessible by ramps and lifts throughout, so you can keep the stroller with you from the car park to the exit. Floors are smooth, so even a small travel stroller copes easily.
- Baby under one: A stroller is ideal. Many babies nap in the dim, quiet galleries.
- Toddler who wants to walk: Bring the stroller anyway. They will walk for the first half and ride for the second.
- Carrier: Works well too, but the stroller doubles as a place for bags and jackets.
How long to allow
Most families spend about one to one and a half hours inside. With a toddler, the pace is set by whichever tank they fall in love with, so allow up to two hours including a snack stop and a nappy change. That makes Cretaquarium a perfect half day: a morning visit, lunch nearby, then back to your hotel for nap time.
Best time to visit Cretaquarium with a baby
- Opening time: The quietest slot, before coach groups arrive.
- Late afternoon: Another calm window in summer, when most families are at the pool.
- Avoid: Midday in July and August, and rainy or very windy days, when everyone on the north coast has the same idea.
- Months: It is open all year, so it works for spring and autumn trips too. See our guide to the best time to visit Crete with a baby.
Opening hours change between summer and winter, so check current opening times and prices on the official website before you go. Very young children usually enter free.
Getting there
Cretaquarium is just off the main north coast road at Gournes, between Heraklion and Hersonissos. By car it is about 15-20 minutes from Heraklion Airport, around 20-25 minutes from Heraklion city and only a few minutes from Gouves. There is a free car park on site.
Local buses run along the coast road and organised tours include the aquarium, but with a baby or toddler a car is far easier. Make sure you have a proper car seat: read our guide to car seats in Crete before you book your rental car.
What to combine with Cretaquarium
Dinosauria Park
Dinosauria Park is a few minutes away in Gournes. Life-size dinosaur models line an outdoor walk, and there is a shaded playground. Toddlers who love animals usually love dinosaurs too, and the two together make a full morning. See our guide to Dinosauria and Labyrinth Park with toddlers.
A beach in Gournes or Gouves
The coast around Gournes and Gouves has long sandy stretches. After the aquarium, an hour on the sand before lunch is a natural next step. Our list of the best beaches near Heraklion for toddlers covers the calmest options.
Watercity
Watercity, the large water park in Anopolis, is only a short drive away. It is a full day on its own, so pick it for a different day rather than squeezing both in.
A simple half-day plan
- Arrive at Cretaquarium at opening time and spend 1-1.5 hours inside.
- Drive a few minutes to Dinosauria Park for an hour outside while it is still cool.
- Early lunch in Gournes or Gouves.
- Back to your hotel for nap time, beach or pool in the late afternoon.
Rent a stroller and car seat for the day
Cretaquarium is one of the best places in Crete to have a stroller, and the drive there needs a car seat that fits your child. If you would rather not fly with them, Holiday Stork rents strollers and i-Size car seats from €7.80 per day, VAT included, with a minimum rental of 4 days. Car seats are fitted in your rental car at hand-over, and everything is steam-cleaned after every rental.
Delivery is €13 per booking to Heraklion Airport, Heraklion city and the north coast resorts from Agia Pelagia to Malia, including Gouves, which is right next to Cretaquarium. Book directly below.
