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Genoa: Aquarium of Genoa Entry Ticket
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The Genoa Aquarium is Europe’s largest and most spectacular aquarium, ranking in the top 10 most beloved aquariums worldwide and among Italy’s top 10 most-mentioned tourist attractions on Facebook.
Rightly considered an unmissable attraction during any holiday in Liguria, it has been the driving force behind the revitalisation of tourism in the city of Genoa, becoming almost the city’s symbol in much the same way as Bilbao with the Guggenheim Museum: for many visitors, a single attraction is the reason they visit these two cities.
However, don’t think of the Genoa Aquarium as a world unto itself: it is perfectly integrated into the urban fabric as an integral part of the Porto Antico (Old Port), almost as if it were a natural evolution of Genoese maritime traditions or their modern expression. It’s no coincidence that the opening took place in 1992, the year of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of America by Genoese navigator Christopher Columbus.
So what are you waiting for? Board this gigantic futuristic-looking research vessel, designed by internationally renowned architect Renzo Piano. Inside, you’ll encounter close encounters with the most amusing, colourful, endearing or dangerous marine species, and remarkable experiences that will engage all five of your senses.
Built according to the modern concept of edutainment, the Genoa Aquarium makes extensive use of spectacular scenery, engaging digital installations and carefully crafted visual and sound effects. Since its foundation, it has distinguished itself by its sensitivity to environmental issues and commitment to the highest respect for animals, combined with dedication to workers’ rights.
An attraction to visit with family for the joy of young and old alike, with a partner for blue-tinged romance, alone for some hours of tranquil contemplation of nature, or with friends for an unusual day of fun.
The biodiversity at the Genoa Aquarium is impressive: no other aquarium in Europe allows you to see so many marine creatures!
During your visit, you might find yourself face to face (or almost!) with luminescent jellyfish, moray eels emerging from rocky crevices, Antarctic fish not found in any other aquarium on the old continent, colourful tropical fish and countless other animals.
A showpiece of the Genoa Aquarium is the manatee tank, herbivorous aquatic mammals said to have inspired the mythological figure of mermaids, but invariably the most popular tanks with visitors are those housing dolphins, sharks and seals.
The Genoa Aquarium’s exhibition route develops through thematic areas, each distinguished by an evocative name:
Tunnels and walkways on multiple levels allow you to see the animals from different viewpoints, both as they swim underwater and when they surface. There are also outdoor pools.
Each week there are various staff encounters (around 40) across 6 different thematic areas, which you can join freely.
The Genoa Aquarium is not just an attraction to visit but also a place where you can experience unique activities. These are not included in the entrance ticket, but you won’t regret the extra money you’ll need to spend.
Ever dreamed of seeing amusing and adorable animals like penguins up close? Up Close and Personal with the Penguins is a two-hour experience that gives you access to areas normally closed to the public and allows you closer contact with the aquarium’s penguins.
You’ll be accompanied by an official aquarium guide who will give you plenty of information about the penguin tank, the daily management of these animals and the characteristics of the different species in existence today. You’ll also be able to watch the afternoon feeding session carried out by specialist staff.
Do you find dolphins more endearing? There’s also an Up Close and Personal experience dedicated to these magnificent mammals, conducted by the Genoa Aquarium’s trainers.
In this case too, you’ll be able to access reserved areas and observe staff working sessions. There’s an active observation session of the animals from a position normally used by staff to study animal behaviour, and participation in a training session poolside.
Visitors can propose games (provided they don’t involve direct contact with the animals), but it will be the dolphins who freely decide whether to participate or not!
Want to find out more about the aquarium’s animals and how this gigantic facility is managed? Behind the Scenes is a guided group tour focusing on the laboratories and tank care areas that reveals insider knowledge and information.
They take place at weekends and public holidays at set times (8 per day); during school holiday periods they also run on weekdays.
The experience for super enthusiasts is An Expert with You, a private tour for a small group (family or group of friends) with a marine biologist.
The tour is thematic and you can choose from the themes offered by the Aquarium (marine mammals, Mediterranean Sea, tropical seas, dangerous animals) or request a bespoke one. The experience includes a route through the display tanks open to the public and some reserved areas.
Here’s an experience from the Arabian Nights that seems designed for a Dubai sheikh… and yet it’s within everyone’s reach: an emotional dinner at the Genoa Aquarium.
At a fairly accessible cost (though not inexpensive), you can enjoy a refined dinner prepared by chef Salvatore Piazzolla inside the cetacean pavilion, overlooking the dolphin tanks. It’s like dining on the seabed, entertained by the charm of these extraordinary animals that you’ll see swimming in front of you between courses.
The menu is fixed, with land or sea options. Emotional dinners are held only on set dates; places fill up quickly, so if you’re interested, book as soon as possible.
The Genoa Aquarium is open 365 days a year; opening times vary depending on the season, but generally run from morning until evening.
Your entrance ticket gives you unlimited time within the facility; the average visit duration is two and a half hours. You are not permitted to exit and re-enter.
As this is a very popular attraction, it is advisable to buy tickets online to avoid queues at the entrance and choose less crowded visiting times (early morning and from mid-afternoon onwards).
You can choose from different types of tickets depending on which facilities you wish to visit:
Each type of ticket offers discounts for children aged 4-12, disabled people, and residents of Genoa and its province. Children under 4 years old and carers of disabled people enter free.
When purchasing your ticket, you will be asked to choose the day and time slot (entry turns every half hour) of your aquarium visit: be very careful as entry on a different day or time slot from that indicated on your ticket is not permitted.
If you want the freedom to enter when you like, you can purchase an open ticket, which has a higher price and does not entitle you to priority entry.
Tickets for some experiences include aquarium entry; in other cases you need to purchase them in addition to your normal entrance ticket.
The Genoa Aquarium is the most visited attraction in the city, so we recommend purchasing your ticket online before you travel to avoid queues at the ticket offices and ensure your visit.
The Genoa Aquarium offers more comprehensive tickets for those who want to spend more time and visit this splendid attraction at leisure. For just a few euros more, you can add meals and aperitifs.
If you want to visit other Genoa attractions in addition to the Aquarium, it’s more economical for you to buy combination tickets rather than individual tickets for each attraction.
An aquarium of this size has enormous operating costs, which result in a fairly high entrance ticket price.
The price varies depending on the day and time slot, so you can save a few pounds by visiting the Aquarium during the low season and on weekdays; in July and August there’s no price difference between weekdays and public holidays.
By purchasing tickets online, you can carefully evaluate the various options available without the rush of making a decision at the ticket office, and choose the most convenient one for you.
For keen enthusiasts (of all ages) who aren’t satisfied with just one aquarium visit, the most economical solution is the AcquarioPass, a membership allowing unlimited entry for 12 months, a Behind the Scenes guided tour, access to the Abysses Room and numerous discounts (experiences, souvenirs, bar and restaurant, other facilities).
The membership becomes worth it from the second visit onwards.
In compliance with Italian regulations on animal protection, you are not permitted to immerse yourself in the tanks or interact with the animals in any way; the only exception is the possibility of petting rays inside the touch tank whilst strictly observing the instructions shown on the information panels.
Inside the aquarium there are two refreshment points (bar/fast food and restaurant), gluten-free meal sales for coeliacs, paid cloakroom, free baby backpacks, free wifi, baby changing facilities, souvenir shop and photo booth.
The figures for the Genoa Aquarium are astounding. Here are a few examples:
The Genoa Aquarium is located in the city’s historic centre, in the Porto Antico area. It’s one of the liveliest and most-visited areas, very easy to reach by train, bus or car.
From Genoa Piazza Principe station (Genoa’s main railway station), you can reach the aquarium on foot in just 10/15 minutes. Genoa airport is 7 km away: from there you can take a taxi or the Volabus shuttle and arrive in just 15 or 30 minutes.
Urban buses 1 and 13 have their terminus right next to the aquarium; the Darsena stop of the metro is also a short distance away.
If you prefer the convenience of a car, you can reach the Aquarium by taking the Genoa West exit of the A12 motorway. Follow the directions for the centre and drive along via Milano and via Gramsci. Before an underpass, you’ll find directions to the right for the aquarium.
The Aquarium has a paid car park with a total of 167 spaces; tariffs are hourly. You cannot reserve a parking space, but if it’s full, you can opt for another car park in the Genoa port area. For motorhomes, the nearest car park is Marina Park.
Given its location in the Porto Antico, there are several hotels nearby the Aquarium: below we suggest the closest ones to this attraction.
Genoa's Aquarium is located in the Porto Antico, in the city's historic centre.
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Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
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