Museo nazionale di archeologia subacquea, National Museum of Underwater Archaeology in Grado, Italy.

The National Museum of Underwater Archaeology is housed in a former school building along Lungomare Nazario Sauro and displays artifacts recovered from the Adriatic Sea. The collection presents objects from different periods that show how the sea shaped life in this area.

The museum grew out of the 1986 discovery of the Iulia Felix, a 3rd-century Roman ship found off the Grado lagoon and investigated in campaigns until 1993. In 1992 the municipality granted the former Scaramuzza school on Lungomare Nazario Sauro to the culture ministry for 99 years, and the building was long known as Museo del mare. After decades of delays and costs reaching 10 million euros, the museum opened in 2025 in a building designed by architect Rita Rufo.

The museum's name is tied to the Iulia Felix, a 3rd-century Roman ship found in the Grado lagoon in 1986 and investigated until 1993. Finds raised from it were meant for a dedicated museum, and from 2014 parts of the building hosted temporary exhibitions. The building on Lungomare Nazario Sauro was long known locally as Museo del mare.

The best time to visit is outside the peak season when fewer visitors are present and you can explore at a relaxed pace. The museum is easy to reach on foot and sits directly along the waterfront.

An ancient ship rests in an outdoor chamber where visitors can see real wreckage up close. The location near the water makes this place special because you experience the heritage where it was actually recovered.