The Acquario di Genova at the Porto Antico in Genoa is the largest aquarium in Europe, holding over 400 animal species and 200 plant species across a 12,000 m² exhibition surface.
This guide was updated in June 2026. The standard adult admission starts from €26 — several guides and review aggregators as recent as July 2025 still show the old price of €22 for adults and €14 for children, which are no longer accurate. The aquarium uses dynamic pricing: the earlier you book online, the lower the price; tickets cost more as your visit date approaches. You can book through GetYourGuide in advance.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Area Porto Antico – Ponte Spinola 16, 16128 Genoa, Italy |
| Hours | Open 365 days/year; typically 09:00–20:00 (varies by season) |
| Last admission | 18:00 |
| Adult (13+) | Starting from €26 online (dynamic pricing) |
| Children (4–12) | Starting from €16 online |
| Children (0–3) | Free |
| Reduced (military/over 65/disabled) | Starting from €20 online |
| AcquarioVillage combined ticket | Adults from €49; children (4–12) from €38 |
| Flexi ticket validity | 1 year from purchase |
| Car park | 167 spaces (4 accessible), open 24 hours on site |
| Nearest train | Genova Piazza Principe (8 min walk) or Brignole |
| Nearest metro | Darsena (8 min walk) |
| Typical visit | 2–3 hours |
Aquarium of Genoa opening hours
The aquarium is open 365 days a year. Standard hours are 09:00 to 20:00 with last admission at 18:00 — the two-hour gap between closing and last entry is larger than many visitors expect and frequently causes missed entry. The hours page on the official website notes seasonal variations, including later hours on select summer weekends. Always check the times-and-calendar page before visiting.
Some individual pools or areas may be temporarily closed for maintenance without advance notice — the official site acknowledges this with a note that “some areas or pools may be under maintenance and not visible to the public.”
Aquarium of Genoa admission prices
The aquarium uses dynamic pricing — prices are lower the earlier you book and rise as the visit date approaches. The figures below are the official starting-from prices confirmed on the official site; the actual price on the day of purchase may be higher.
| Category | Starting from (online) |
|---|---|
| Adult (13+) | €26 |
| Children (4–12) | €16 |
| Children (0–3) | Free |
| Reduced (military, over 65, disabled) | €20 |
| AcquarioVillage (Aquarium + Biosfera + Bigo + Città dei Bambini) | Adults from €49 |
| Pianeta Acquario (Aquarium + Biosfera + Bigo) | Adults from €37 |
| Annual pass (AcquarioPass) | €74 adults, €59 children 4–12 |
| Flexi ticket | Valid 1 year; one date change permitted |
Several guides still show the old prices of €22 for adults and €14 for children — both are out of date. The companion of a 100% disabled person enters free; the companion must collect the free ticket at the cash desk with valid documentation. Disabled visitors between 4 and 12 are better served by the children’s ticket, which is cheaper than the reduced rate. Book through GetYourGuide to lock in a lower price.
Why visit the Aquarium of Genoa?
- 🐬 Europe’s largest aquarium: Over 400 animal species and around 12,000 specimens across five marine and terrestrial environments — the scale is genuinely difficult to comprehend until you’re inside.
- 🎟️ Book early for the lowest price: The aquarium uses dynamic pricing — the earlier you buy, the less you pay. Prices rise as the visit date approaches. This is confirmed on the official site and rarely explained in guides.
- 🌿 Dolphins, penguins, and manatees under one roof: The Cold Seas section holds bottlenose dolphins and two penguin species; the Fresh Waters hall is home to Antillean manatees and dwarf caimans — experiences unavailable at most European aquariums.
- 📜 The Flexi ticket is valid for one year: The open Flexi ticket allows one date change and is valid for 12 months from purchase — useful for visitors with uncertain schedules.
- 💰 Porto Antico setting: The aquarium sits within Genoa’s revitalised old port, designed by Renzo Piano for the 1992 Columbus Quincentenary. The Biosfera (a glass tropical forest sphere) and the Bigo panoramic lift are all within 100 metres.
How to get to the Aquarium of Genoa
By train, Genova Piazza Principe station is around 8–10 minutes’ walk from the aquarium via the Porto Antico waterfront. Genova Brignole is further (about 20 minutes on foot or a metro ride to Darsena). Both stations are on the main Genoa–Milan, Genoa–Turin, and coastal Riviera routes.
By metro, the nearest stop is Darsena on Line 1 (the city’s only metro line). The aquarium is about 8 minutes’ walk from the exit. The metro connects Darsena to Brignole in around 5 minutes.
By car, the A7, A10, and A26 motorways all reach the Genoa ring road. Follow signs for Porto Antico. The on-site car park is accessed from the Porto Antico entrance road. Driving in Genoa’s historic centre is restricted by ZTL (limited traffic zones) — go directly to the Porto Antico car park rather than navigating into the city.
Parking at the Aquarium of Genoa
An on-site car park with 167 spaces (4 accessible) is open 24 hours. It is not possible to reserve a parking space in advance. Additional covered and uncovered car parks are available within the Porto Antico area. Rates apply; check the parking lots page of the official website for current pricing. The Porto Antico is also accessible via a free-to-use waterbus service from select points on the Ligurian Riviera in summer.
How long to spend at the Aquarium of Genoa
Allow 2 to 3 hours for a thorough visit through all five environments. Visitors who attend the dolphin and penguin experiences or take a behind-the-scenes tour will need 3–4 hours. The combined AcquarioVillage ticket — adding the Biosfera, Bigo, and Città dei Bambini — turns the visit into a full day. The aquarium itself is self-guided, with a free digital audio guide available via QR code inside.
Accessibility at the Aquarium of Genoa
The aquarium is fully accessible on all levels. An official accessibility statement is published on the official website. Disabled visitors with certification are entitled to the reduced rate (from €20). The companion of a person with 100% certified disability enters free — collect the companion ticket at the cash desk with documentation. Guide dogs for blind visitors are permitted; other animals are not.
The on-site car park has 4 designated accessible spaces. The Porto Antico area as a whole is flat and accessible from the waterfront. The Bigo lift is accessible in the standard operating configuration; visitors with specific mobility requirements should check with staff on arrival.
What to see at the Aquarium of Genoa
Tropical Seas presents the richest and most visually complex environment — coral reef habitats with clownfish, zebra sharks, sawfish, and emperor angelfish. The tanks are large enough to give a genuine sense of scale. This section typically takes the longest.
Temperate Seas covers the Mediterranean and Atlantic — grey sharks, moray eels, seahorses, four-leaf clover jellyfish, and the bottlenose dolphin lagoon. The dolphin pool is one of Europe’s largest in an aquarium setting and can be viewed from multiple levels. This section also includes the Ligurian Sea habitats, anchoring the exhibition geographically in Genoa’s own coastline.
Cold Seas brings together Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems. Two penguin species — Magellanic and Papua — inhabit a climate-controlled environment. Seals (common seal) are in an adjacent pool. This is among the most popular sections with families.
Tropical Forests steps away from the aquatic environments into rainforest habitats. Iguanas, boa constrictors, and golden poison dart frogs live in humid vivariums with mature tropical planting. This section reinforces the aquarium’s broader conservation message about biodiversity beyond the oceans.
Fresh Waters holds two of the rarest and most impressive exhibits: Antillean manatees in a large warm-water pool, and dwarf Cuvier’s caimans in a riverside recreation. Red piranhas and a range of Amazonian river species fill the surrounding tanks. The manatees in particular are a highlight that visitors travel specifically to see.
Practical tips for visiting the Aquarium of Genoa
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book as early as possible | The aquarium uses dynamic pricing — the price rises closer to the visit date. Booking weeks in advance can save several euros per ticket compared to same-day or next-day purchase. |
| Last admission is 18:00, not 20:00 | The aquarium closes at 20:00 but stops admitting visitors at 18:00. Arriving at 19:00 will result in being turned away, regardless of what time the venue closes. |
| Consider the Flexi ticket | If your schedule might change, the Flexi ticket is valid for a year and allows one date change. Fixed-date tickets cannot be rescheduled. |
| The Bigo was closed 23–24 June 2026 | The official site carried a live alert. If combining with the AcquarioVillage ticket, check current Bigo status before your visit. |
| Book in advance | Pre-purchasing locks in both the lower price and your entry slot. The aquarium can reach capacity at peak times — particularly summer weekends and Italian public holidays. |
Aquarium of Genoa FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the adult admission price? | Starting from €26 online (dynamic pricing). Several recent guides still show €22 — that price is out of date. The earlier you buy, the lower the price. |
| Is last admission really at 18:00? | Yes. The aquarium closes at 20:00 but does not admit visitors after 18:00. Allow at least 2 hours; arriving after 16:00 may mean a rushed visit. |
| What is a Flexi ticket? | A ticket valid for one year from purchase, with one date change permitted. Fixed-date tickets cannot be changed or refunded. |
| Can I bring my dog? | No — only guide dogs for blind visitors are permitted inside. Dog-sitting information is available from the Porto Antico tourist office. |
| What is the AcquarioVillage ticket? | A combined ticket covering the Aquarium, Biosfera, Bigo, and Città dei Bambini e dei Ragazzi. Adults start from €49. It is the best-value option for a full day at the Porto Antico. |
Things to do near the Aquarium of Genoa
Biosfera is 50 metres from the aquarium entrance — a spherical glass-and-steel structure by Renzo Piano containing a tropical forest ecosystem. It holds hundreds of species of plant, butterfly, and bird in a climate-controlled environment. Tickets are separate (from €6 adults) or included in the AcquarioVillage combined ticket.
Bigo is 100 metres away — another Renzo Piano design, a panoramic lift that rises 40 metres for 360-degree views over the Porto Antico and Genoa’s hillside cityscape. Tickets from €6 adults. Check for current maintenance closures before planning.
Galata Museo del Mare is the largest maritime museum in the Mediterranean, directly across the old port basin from the aquarium. It includes the submarine Nazario Sauro and reconstructions of historic Genoese galleys. Around 10 minutes’ walk from the aquarium along the waterfront.
Genoa Old Town (Centro Storico) begins immediately behind the Porto Antico and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The caruggi (medieval lanes) contain the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, the Palazzo dei Dogi, and an unbroken streetscape of Baroque palaces. Around 10 minutes’ walk from the aquarium.
Palazzo Ducale is the heart of medieval Genoan civic power, 15 minutes’ walk inland, and now a major exhibition venue. Its courtyard is free to enter; temporary exhibitions and a café occupy the upper floors.
Similar aquariums to visit near Genoa
Aquarium of Livorno (Acquario di Livorno) is also operated by Costa Edutainment (the same company as Genoa) and is around 2 hours south by train via La Spezia and Pisa. It is much smaller than Genoa but holds regional Mediterranean species in a harbour setting.
Aquarium of Cattolica, on the Adriatic Riviera, is around 2.5 hours east of Genoa by train and focuses on Italian coastal and Mediterranean ecosystems. Suitable as a comparison to Genoa if travelling down the Adriatic coast.
Barcelona Aquarium, Spain is the natural comparison for scale — Europe’s second-largest aquarium. It holds more than 450 species across a Mediterranean-focused collection, with a notable shark tunnel. Around 2 hours from Genoa by plane.
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is around 2.5 hours south-west by car or train via the French Riviera and is considered Europe’s finest marine museum. The building itself (Belle Époque, built on a cliff above the sea) is as impressive as the collection. Admission €18–22 depending on category.
More Italy travel
Other Italy travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to Lerici Castle near La Spezia.
- A guide to Pisa for first time visitors.
- How much does it cost to climb the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
- Why a Pisa food tour is a great way to explore beyond the Tower.
- How fast are the direct Milan to Verona trains?
