The Acquario di Genova (Genoa Aquarium) at Porto Antico is the largest aquarium in Italy and one of the most visited attractions in the country - approximately 1.2 million visitors per year. Built for the 1992 Genoa Expo and expanded significantly since, it houses 70 tanks, 13,000 animals, and 600 species across two floors of the historic harbour area. For families, it is the centrepiece of a Genoa visit. For adult visitors interested in marine life, it is genuinely impressive.
Ticket types and prices
Standard admission (as of 2026, approximate):
- Adults (13+): approximately €25–28
- Children 4–12: approximately €17–19
- Children under 3: free
- Seniors (65+): approximately €21–23 at some times of year (check at booking)
Combination tickets (as of 2026, approximate):
- Aquarium + Biosfera: approximately €30–33 adult
- Aquarium + Biosfera + Galata Museo del Mare (maritime museum): approximately €35–40 adult
- Aquarium + Biosfera + Galata + Il Galeone Neptune (tall ship): approximately €40–45 adult
The combination ticket including the Biosfera is worth taking - the Biosfera is a glass biome dome containing tropical plants, butterflies, and birds, and adds approximately 30–45 minutes to the visit for approximately €6–8 more than the standard ticket.
Where to buy:
- Online at acquariodigenova.it - allows time-slot entry and queue bypass. In peak season this is essential.
- At the door - queue can be long in summer; no time slot.
- Through GetYourGuide and similar platforms - prices are comparable, and reviews confirm queue bypass.
Skip-the-line tips
The main queue forms at the external ticket windows. Pre-booking an online ticket (with or without time slot) directs you to the “pre-booked tickets” lane, which moves significantly faster - on busy summer mornings this can mean the difference between a 5-minute and a 45-minute wait.
Best times to arrive: opening time (9am) and after 3pm on weekdays. Saturday and Sunday mornings in July and August are the busiest periods. Midweek arrival before 10am is consistently uncrowded even in summer.
Groups and schools: school groups visit heavily from October to May on weekday mornings - if you’re visiting in this period, late morning arrivals (after 11am) avoid the group peaks.
What to see
The aquarium organises its tanks broadly by ocean region and habitat. The highlights:
Shark tank - the largest exhibit, a floor-to-ceiling tank with sandtiger sharks, nurse sharks, and rays visible from multiple levels. There is an underwater viewing tunnel. This is the photograph most people come for and it genuinely delivers.
Dolphin pool - an outdoor tank with bottlenose dolphins, visible from a raised platform. No shows are performed - the Genoa Aquarium made a policy decision in 2016 to end performance-based dolphin programming. The pool is observation-only.
Jellyfish pavilion - an entire section dedicated to jellyfish in backlit cylindrical tanks. Particularly beautiful and worth slowing down for. Several species, including moon jellyfish and lion’s mane, in different tank environments.
Amazon environment - a large freshwater exhibit with piranhas, river turtles, and manatees. The manatee section (one of the few in Europe) is a highlight - three animals in a large pool visible from glass panels at water level.
Antarctic environment - Magellanic and rockhopper penguins in a refrigerated enclosure. Very popular with children.
Coral reef section - smaller tanks with tropical reef fish, clownfish, seahorses, and moray eels. The colouration is vivid against dark tank backgrounds.
Touch tanks: there are supervised tactile exhibits where children can handle sea urchins, starfish, and small rays under staff supervision. No extra charge; busy in the mornings.
The Biosfera
The Biosfera is a glass sphere designed by Renzo Piano floating at Porto Antico, connected to the aquarium by footbridge. It contains a tropical rainforest microclimate - temperature approximately 27°C, humidity high - with free-flying butterflies, exotic birds, and a dense planting of tropical trees and ferns.
Entry is through the combination ticket. Worth 30–45 minutes; genuinely striking in winter when the contrast between the external cold and the tropical interior is dramatic.
Nearby attractions at Porto Antico
Galata Museo del Mare - approximately 400m walk along the harbour. A comprehensive maritime history museum covering Genoese seafaring from the 16th to 20th century. Entry approximately €12 standard, included in the combination aquarium ticket. Strong on historical ships and a full-scale replica of a 17th-century Genoese galleon. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Il Galeone Neptune - a 17th-century tall ship built for Roman Polanski’s 1986 film Pirates, now moored at Porto Antico and open for boarding. Atmospheric; better for children than serious maritime enthusiasts. Entry approximately €6.
Piazza delle Feste and the harbour promenade - the waterfront promenade at Porto Antico is pleasant and free. There are several café-bars along the water.
Getting to the aquarium
The Acquario di Genova is in Porto Antico, approximately a 10-minute walk from Genoa’s Piazza De Ferrari (the main city square) and the historic centre.
On foot from the caruggi: follow Via San Lorenzo downhill past the cathedral, then continue to the waterfront. Approximately 15 minutes from Piazza De Ferrari.
From Genova Piazza Principe station: 10-minute walk along the waterfront or a short taxi ride (approximately €7–9).
From Genova Brignole station: approximately 20 minutes on foot or take bus 13 towards Porto Antico.
Parking: Porto Antico has a large paid car park (approximately €2/hour as of 2026). If driving from outside the city, note that Genoa’s ZTL (limited traffic zone) covers much of the historic centre - the Porto Antico car park is outside the ZTL.