Aquarium Entry Ticket

Overview

This is a straightforward entry ticket to the Aquarium of Genoa, built for the Genoa Expo and home to a vast animal collection. You walk in at the turnstiles at your chosen time slot with your voucher, no guide attached, then move through more than 70 tanks at whatever pace suits you. The aquarium houses over 5,000 animals across some 400 species, which the operator describes as the largest display of aquatic biodiversity in Europe.

The visit follows a planned route through waters from around the world. Penguins from the Antarctic, sharks, seals, jellyfish and coral reef fish all appear along the way, and the Cetacean Pavilion, designed by Renzo Piano, holds four open-air pools where bottlenose dolphins swim. Several reviewers noted the route flows well and that the information panels, including material on climate change and pollution, are easy to read. One visitor reported covering the whole aquarium in about an hour at a slow pace.

Booking options let you add lunch: a sandwich with chips, street food, or focaccia. Otherwise food is not part of the base ticket. The experience suits families especially well, with touch pools and exhibits that reviewers say keep children engaged. There is no pickup, and no guided tour is included.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Arrival at the aquariumMake your own way to the Aquarium of Genoa. There is no pickup or transfer included with this ticket.
2. Entry at the turnstilesEnter directly at the turnstiles with your voucher. You can only enter at the entry time selected during booking, and the ticket is valid only on that date.
3. Main tank routeWalk through more than 70 tanks covering waters from around the world, with penguins, sharks, seals, jellyfish and coral reef fish along the route.
4. Cetacean PavilionVisit the pavilion designed by Renzo Piano, where bottlenose dolphins live in four open-air pools.
5. Lunch (optional)If selected at booking, collect a sandwich with chips, pre-ordered street food, or focaccia.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help the visit go smoothly.

• Arrive on time. The entry time chosen at booking must be strictly observed, and access is denied without a valid ticket. One reviewer warned others to double-check that the slot actually matches their planned arrival. That said, another visitor was let through ticket control slightly before their slot.
• Pace and duration. There is no guide and no schedule once inside. One reviewer walked the entire aquarium in an hour at a slow pace, so a visit does not have to take all day.
• Crowds and routing. Congestion can build in front of popular tanks, and several travellers said clearer routing and tighter crowd control would help. On the other hand, other reviewers found the route well planned with no real jams.
• Good with children. Reviewers repeatedly describe the aquarium as great for children, and the summarized feedback highlights touch pools as a standout. Adults without children also report enjoying it, calling it value for money.
• Accessibility. The listing states there are elevators for wheelchair users and information in Braille for visitors with visual impairments. Pets are not allowed, though assistance dogs are permitted.
• Food options. Lunch is only included if you select the sandwich, street food or focaccia option when booking. The base ticket covers entry alone.

Common issues. The main complaint in the review summary is congestion, with travellers saying crowds often block views and that better routing would help. One reviewer mentioned that some tanks were temporarily closed during their visit, and another noted not seeing certain animals such as an octopus. Last admission is two hours before closing, and opening hours change with the season, so late-day slots allow less time inside.

Common Questions