Aquarium of Genoa Zoo
Large Mediterranean aquarium with diverse marine exhibits
Genoa's Aquarium occupies the old harbour with Mediterranean and tropical tanks, otters, jellyfish and educational exhibits; it functions as a large, family‑oriented marine attraction.
Aquarium of Genoa at a Glance#
Address: Ponte Spinola, Calata Cattaneo, Porto Antico, 16128 Genova GE, Italy
Website: https://www.acquariodigenova.it/
Hours: Daily 9:00am-8:00pm (seasonal variations)
About Aquarium of Genoa#
The Aquarium of Genoa is Italy’s largest aquarium, located in the Porto Antico area of Genoa’s historic harbour and opened in 1992 during a major redevelopment of the waterfront. It presents a sequence of large tanks and themed habitats intended to represent Mediterranean and tropical marine environments.
Major displays include open-water and predator tanks, tropical reef basins and interactive, educational exhibits suitable for families and school groups. The facility focuses on species diversity and public interpretation rather than a single iconic specimen.
The aquarium was a cornerstone of the port’s regeneration and remains one of Genoa’s primary visitor attractions, within easy walking distance of the city centre and the old harbour promenade.
- Scale and opening: Opened in 1992 as part of the Porto Antico redevelopment, it is Italy’s largest aquarium and presents thousands of animals representing hundreds of species.
- Visiting tip: Early morning visits on weekdays are usually quieter; many visitors combine the aquarium with other historic-port attractions and museums nearby.
What to See#
- Main tanks and basins: Large main tanks and themed basins presenting Mediterranean and tropical species in life-sized habitats.
- Shark and predator exhibits: A shark exhibit and other predator tanks that display mid-size marine species in open-water settings.
- Interactive exhibits: Interactive touch pools and educational displays designed for families and school groups.
How to Get to Aquarium of Genoa#
The Aquarium sits in Porto Antico in central Genoa, adjacent to the Old Port. From Genova Principe station it’s about a 20-25 minute walk along Via Roma or a short taxi ride. Several urban buses stop nearby (lines 35, 36), and there are clear signs from the harbour promenade.
Tips for Visiting Aquarium of Genoa#
- Buy timed-entry tickets online to avoid long queues; late-afternoon entries are quieter.
- Start at the shark and sea lion tanks and save the tropical jellyfish display for last - it's dim and calming when tired.
- Bring a light jacket: the large tanks and sea spray make galleries noticeably cooler than the city.
Best Time to Visit Aquarium of Genoa#
Best visited in shoulder seasons for lighter crowds; summer afternoons are busiest.
Weather & Climate near Aquarium of Genoa#
Aquarium of Genoa's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1242 mm/year), wettest in October.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 6° | 127 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.1h |
| February | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 7° | 68 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.3h |
| March | Good | 7° - 15° | 11° | 97 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.2 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Good | 10° - 17° | 13° | 100 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.1 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 13.3h |
| May | Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 83 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.6h |
| June | Excellent | 17° - 25° | 21° | 64 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 2.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.3h |
| July | Ideal | 20° - 28° | 24° | 28 mm | mostly sunny | 65% | 2.5 m/s | 1.9 very high | 15.0h |
| August | Excellent | 20° - 29° | 24° | 85 mm | some cloud | 66% | 2.4 m/s | 1.5 very high | 13.8h |
| September | Very Good | 17° - 25° | 21° | 131 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 2.5 m/s | 1.0 high | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 13° - 20° | 16° | 218 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.8 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.8h |
| November | Acceptable | 8° - 14° | 11° | 132 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 2.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| December | Acceptable | 6° - 12° | 7° | 109 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
