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The Aquarium of Genoa and the Old Port
Discover the unique charm of the Genoa Aquarium, the largest indoor aquarium in Europe, located in the heart of the 16th-century Old Port (Porto Antico). Covering 10,000 square meters of exhibition space and featuring 71 tanks open to the public, it is one of the city’s most beloved attractions.
The structure is the result of a meeting between two architectural visions: the elegant exterior designed by Renzo Piano, the renowned architect from Genoa, and the interiors conceived by Chermayeff, an American architect of Russian origin. The aquarium spans four floors, two of which lie below sea level, reaching a depth of seven meters, along a 250-meter-long visitor route. In 1998, the Great Blue Ship was added — a real vessel attached to the original aquarium building — further expanding and enriching the immersive experience.
Today, the aquarium hosts around 600 species and more than 6,000 individual animals, including fish, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, birds, and invertebrates.
Upon entering, in the evocative “Old Port Dock Tank”, visitors can admire a faithful reconstruction of a 15th-century Genoese wharf, populated by species typical of the Ligurian coast.
Don’t miss the dolphin tank, where — with a bit of luck — you can watch the graceful movements of Achille, a young dolphin born at the aquarium, together with his mother Bonnie. Other must-see attractions include the seal pool, the playful penguins, the coral reef, the piranhas, and the Nile crocodiles.
From the Hotel Grande Albergo in Sestri Levante, the aquarium can be easily reached either by car (exit “Genova Ovest”), with convenient parking available in the nearby multi-story car park, or by train (Principe Station).
For more info...Aquarium of Genoa
The Old Port: much more than just an aquarium
Beyond the Aquarium, the Old Port offers numerous cultural and entertaining attractions:
"The city of children and young people": the largest structure in Italy dedicated to games, science and technology, for children and young people between 2 and 12 years of age, was designed and built "for children" with over 90 exhibits allow you to make "small and large" discoveries useful to satisfy your desire to know and to approach science and technology in a fun way. For more info.... Children City
Galata Museo del Mare: in an engaging and innovative setting, the faithful reconstructions of a 17th century galley, a 19th century brig-schooner, the evocative "Sala Tempesta", the "Italian ocean liners" exhibition and over 6000 original objects the fascinating adventure of man on the sea. For more info.... Galata Museo del Mare
The submarine S518 Nazario Sauro: the first museum ship in Italy that can be visited in the water. For more info... Nazario Sauro Submarine
The Bigo: designed by Renzo Piano inspired by the cranes of the Port of Genoa is one of the symbols of Genoa, it allows on the one hand to support the tense structure of the party square (where various events take place and in winter a skating rink is prepared on ice), on the other it holds a rotating and panoramic lift that lifts up to 40 meters in height, allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the city. For more info... Bigo
Biosphere: a glass and steel structure with a diameter of 20 meters which houses 150 plant species, with particular and curious characteristics, and many animal species including amphibians, reptiles, insects and birds. For more info.... Biosphere
The possibility of purchasing a package including a visit to all these structures is convenient.
FOR MORE INFO:
http://www.acquariodigenova.it