The Aquarium Pula is housed in the Verudela fortress, a 19th-century Austro-Hungarian fort on a headland south of the main town. The combination of military architecture and marine exhibits gives it a distinctive atmosphere. The tanks hold a good representation of Adriatic marine life — sea horses, rays, conger eels, lobsters, and the kinds of fish you might see snorkelling off the local coast. There is also a sea turtle rescue centre.
The site is a 15–20 minute drive or a long cycle south of the centre. If you are staying in the Verudela resort area, it is an easy walk; from the old town, it is more practical to come by taxi or bus. The fortress ramparts and the rocky coastline around it are worth exploring whether or not you go inside.