Aquarium of Kastoria

The Aquarium of Kastoria named “Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew” opened its doors to the public, after almost two years of preparation, on July 3, 2012, after the opening ceremony performed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, during his official visit to Western Macedonia (in whose honor as “Green” Patriarch, the aquarium was named in his honor).
It is the first freshwater aquarium of the Balkans, hosting endemic and native fish species of the rivers and lakes of Greece, as well as a large number of alien species living in the lakes of Greece.
The aquarium consists of 49 tanks with a capacity of 1 to 1.6 cubic meters, a simulation of Lake Kastoria and a simulation of the Aliakmon river. Each tank is treated as a separate circuit with mechanical filters and water oxygenation mechanisms.
In terms of fish species, the aquarium is home to 56 species of freshwater fish, while organisms such as water turtles, crawfish and Tritons make their presence felt. In large numbers, carps (Cyprinus carpio), Pikes or Chubs (Leuciscus spp) and Roaches (Rutilus rutilus).
Of particular interest to the visitor are the Stone Crawfish, an endangered species in Europe as it is included in the Bern Convention for the conservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna. Also the Oxyrhynchus is a species that particularly attracts the attention of the visitor because of its rarity and its significant economic value (known for the production of black caviar), as well as its particular external form, with its characteristic pointed snout and shark-like shape. It is a species listed in the Red Book of Threatened Species and is endangered.
The main volume of fish in the aquarium was caught with the help of local professional and amateur fishermen, while the endemic species were caught with the decisive help of the Institute of Inland Waters of ELKETHE using scientific methodology and methods.

Opening Hours:

Daily (Except Monday) Winter: 09:00 – 17:00

Daily (Except Monday) Summer: 10:00 – 18:00

Ticket Prices:
General: €5
Children 6-17 years old: €3
Large families, students, unemployed: €3
Persons with disabilities (67% and above): Free
Children under 5 years old: Free