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Genoa Family-friendly activities

Our most recommended Genoa Family-friendly activities

Genoa: Aquarium of Genoa Timeslot Entry Ticket

1. Genoa: Aquarium of Genoa Timeslot Entry Ticket

Explore the Aquarium of Genoa to see more than 5,000 animals from 400 species at Italy's largest aquatic zoo. Learn how the aquarium was built for the Genoa Expo '92, and the variety of conservation programs that it is involved in. Discover a venue that is home to the biggest display of aquatic biodiversity in Europe. Venture into the fascinating waters of the world as you explore more than 70 tanks of wonderful aquatic creatures. Marvel at animals from the Antarctic, such as penguins, and see sharks, seals, jellyfish, and the colorful fish of the coral barriers. Head to the Cetacean Pavilion, designed by Renzo Piano, and be amazed the playful bottlenose dolphins at 4 open-air pools.

Genoa: Aquarium of Genoa with Lunch

2. Genoa: Aquarium of Genoa with Lunch

Immerse yourself in the largest aquatic biodiversity exhibition in Europe. Stroll through the world's most fascinating seas and waters as you discover the ocean and enjoy an unforgettable experience. In spectacular settings, enjoy new thematic itineraries to get to know all the secrets, curiosities, and details of a place that never ceases to surprise and excite. Enrich your visit with lunch at the Tender Cafè, which is a fast food bar inside the Aquarium of Genoa which has a splendid terrace overlooking the port of Genoa. It will be there that you can taste and discover Ligurian and Genoese specialties. Lunch is Genoese focaccia with burrata cheese, cherry tomatoes, chips, or a salad. Lunch also includes 1 drink of your choice.

Genoa: Aquarium of Genoa & City of Children and Youth Ticket

3. Genoa: Aquarium of Genoa & City of Children and Youth Ticket

Enjoy two of Genoa's top attractions with this combined entry ticket for the Aquarium of Genoa and the City of Children and Youth. Find the perfect entertainment for your whole family in Italy's largest aquarium, and explore a play area with over 3,000 square meters devoted to children's activities. At the City of Children and Youth, enter an exhibition that uses the "Five Senses" as a tool to transmit knowledge and have fun, guiding children and teenagers on a journey to discover themselves and the world through multisensory adventures. Enjoy a colorful environment with 5 rooms dedicated to the 5 senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Spend time in spaces dedicated to interactive experiences, with no set route — move from room to room as you please to explore your senses. Next, immerse yourself in the largest exhibition of aquatic biodiversity in Europe. Discover 600 animal species, from the rarest manatees to popular marine mammals like dolphins. Experience new thematic itineraries to learn about all the secrets of the underwater world. Witness a shark tank with holographic effects. See white lacquered walls designed to look like ice as you learn about the harsh conditions of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic areas. Observe gentoo penguins and magellanic penguins in the Ice Kingdom that mimics the climate of the Falkland Islands. Visit 2 renovated areas in the Aquarium of Genoa dedicated to the conservation and recovery of animals in difficulty or rescued by the authorities from dangerous situations and entrusted to the aquarium.

Genoa: The City of Children and Young Museum Entry Ticket

4. Genoa: The City of Children and Young Museum Entry Ticket

Enjoy an entry ticket to The City of Children and Young Museum in Genova. Walk through this museum and heighten your senses as you play and interact with art and colorful digital technology that will take you on a journey to discover yourself. Discover a world of pure imagination. Enter all interactive rooms any route you like. Marvel at the kaleidoscope of brightly colored, mind-blowing optical illusions and test your senses as you walk through this extraordinary museum.  Smell, see, touch, hear and taste your way through this exhibition. Listen to sound waves, see shapes, play with reflections and mirrors, find out all about taste buds, and touch the eye-catching displays. Walk around and take selfies at the 3D nose, the lollipop displays, or whatever tickles your fancy; these photos will surely get you lots of Instagram likes.  Experience an unforgettable, fun day out for all the family that will take over your imagination. 

Genoa: Cetacean Watching Cruise with Marine Biologist Guide

5. Genoa: Cetacean Watching Cruise with Marine Biologist Guide

Join a cetacean-watching boat tour in the Pelagos Sanctuary with a marine biologist guide. See the marine animals in their natural habitat and learn about their species, habits, behavior, and more. Upon arrival, receive an introductory briefing about the Pelagos Sanctuary from your expert marine biologist guide. Learn more about its history, conservation programs, and the species that populate it, including fin whales, sperm whales, Cuvier’s beaked whales, bottlenose dolphins, and many more. Set sail on the open sea and reach some of the most favorable locations to spot various species of marine mammals in their natural habitat. Wait in anticipation of spotting a distant breach, or a jump that announces the arrival of a pod of dolphins. In full compliance with non-disturbance directives, approach the aquatic mammals by boat and see them frolicking in their natural habitat. Learn more about the curiosities of the species from your expert biologist guide, including their diet and mannerisms. After admiring the jumps or breaches, go in search of other marine species within the sanctuary. Feel free to ask the guides plenty of questions and learn about the important work being undertaken to protect native marine life.

Genoa: Aquarium and FantaCinema Combined Ticket

6. Genoa: Aquarium and FantaCinema Combined Ticket

See tanks with beautiful and strange aquatic life at the Genoa Aquarium. Discover creatures from the Ligurian Sea, the North Atlantic and Caribbean reefs. Watch dolphins, penguins, and sea cows play in their habitats. Visit the playful past of fantasy cinema at FantaCinema. View original pieces, memorabilia, statues, articles, and posters. Learn how the cinema of fantasy was born and how it developed. Listen to soundtracks of cult films as you tour the exhibits. Look at cult objects such as the famous "the machine of tempo” original used by Zemeckis in the movie Back to the Future, or the original costumes from Alien and Star Wars. Walk though the Harry Potter and Game of Kings sections.

Genoa: Pelagos Sanctuary Whale Watching Cruise

7. Genoa: Pelagos Sanctuary Whale Watching Cruise

• The excursion lasts about 4 hours departing from Genova Porto Antico Calata Mandraccio . After 30 minutes of navigation to the open sea we reach a depth of 1000/1500m where there is a higher chance to sight. From that moment begins the research activity with our crew. A biologist guides every excursion with the possibility, if required, to have also a German/English-speaking guide who will tell the details of the habits of these incredible animals and will answer to all your curiosities. • The chance to sight is the same the whole year long, but we choose to do our excursions from April to October because of the better weather conditions. The months leading up to the high season are usually the best ones thanks to a lower shipping traffic. • The excursion takes place also with a minimum number of passengers. • In April, May and October, we have excursion on Sundays ; from June to September on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The departure time from Genova porto antico is at 13.00. It seems necessary to indicate that the research of cetaceans in the waters of the Sanctuary means to deal with a patient monitoring work and observation of the surface, remembering that we are looking for wild animals and there are neither times nor points established to meet them. We must accept a few hours of navigation, which will be later richly rewarded by the emotion and spectacle that these creatures offer us. The best days for sightings are those of calm seas and no wind, situation in which it is easier to see the animals when they surface to breathe.

Aquarium of Genoa Ticket and Whale Watching Cruise

8. Aquarium of Genoa Ticket and Whale Watching Cruise

The exhibition gallery at the Aquarium of Genoa consists of over 70 exhibits and about 12,000 specimen of 600 species, from all the seas of the world. From the rarest species such as manatees – marine mammals that may be at the origin of the legend of mermaids – to the most famous ones such as dolphins, penguins, and sharks – the great predators of the sea; but also jellyfish, seals, and multi-coloured tropical fish species. For the whale-whatching excursion, sail via the sea mammals’ routes in the Pelagos Sanctuary. The boat excursion departs from Genoa, from the pier next to the Aquarium, and lasts 4 hours as you try to see the sea mammals in their natural habitat. Guiding the public through this unique experience will be a marine biologist who, during the excursion, unveils to the participants all the secrets of how to spot the animals, and illustrating the correct behavioural conduct for the observation of the Cetaceans without disturbing them. This educational and fun experience is at the same time suitable for both adults and children who are curious lovers of adventure and nature. Do not forget to bring your camera and sunglasses. The experience is available from March to November.

Aquarium of Genoa: Entry Ticket and Aperitif

9. Aquarium of Genoa: Entry Ticket and Aperitif

Book your Aquarium Happy open ticket and enter the Aquarium of Genoa without any reservation. Take a break with a glass of wine or sparkling wine at the Tender Bar inside the aquarium with a spectacular view of the Old Port. Visit the Aquarium of Genoa after 4:00 PM, the quietest moment of the day, and enjoy the flexibility of an open ticket. In between your visit, sit down and relax at Tender Bar. With this ticket you can make your entrance only between 4 PM and 5 PM to visit the Aquarium and enjoy Your Aperitif.

Genoa: City Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour

10. Genoa: City Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour

Get to know Genoa at your own pace on this interactive scavenger hunt walking tour played on your phone. Decipher riddles, interact with the most important attractions of the city, and unlock interesting facts and legends. An ideal outdoor activity for first time visitors, couples, groups, families, and children. Can be used as a great team-building activity. Solve a puzzle outside of 10 top city sights. Follow clues at each attraction to find your next destination. Enjoy the challenge of using logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to complete the game. Feel the satisfaction of solving each riddle. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the city sightseeing game. Have the freedom to pause or resume the tour whenever you want. View the city at your own pace. Learn interesting information and facts about the city. Snap as many pictures as you want. You can start playing anytime. Start your tour from San Siro, in the center of Genoa. Visit the Palazzo Grimaldi della Meridiana with its unique architecture and explore Piazza Fontane Marose and the magnificent buildings that surround it. Photograph Santa Maria delle Vigne with its distinct white facade and wonder at the imposing Palazzo San Giorgio with its original interior and imposing exterior. Learn about the Romanesque Cattedrale di San Lorenzo with black and white stripes and frescoes inside, which houses unique holy relics. Marvel at the palazzo Ducale mansion and admire the Piazza de Ferrari, famous for its bronze fountain.

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What people are saying about Genoa

The staff at the aquarium were amazing and helped me get around due to my disability. The aquarium itself is gorgeous and the animals were gorgeous. I prefer animals to people so this was perfect for me. I highly advise others to come to this fine aquarium of Genoa.

Very easy way to get a ticket for the aquarium (their official website didn’t work). Plus, the price is varied on the official site but it’s fixed on get your guide, which made the price a little cheaper here.

All well cared for, helpful staff. My daughter had a blast

I touched stingray fish soooo cool i fell in love with it

I had a good time, no hitches, no lines and a good lunch