Genoa

Culture & history tours

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.

Experience a full-day boating excursion and discover three of the most charming villages in Liguria: Camogli, San Fruttuoso, and Portofino. Enjoy options of visiting all three, or selecting which ones you'd like to discover. Depart from Genova in the morning aboard the motorboat Città di Camogli and enjoy panoramic coastal views on your way to the harbor of Camogli. If you choose to visit San Fruttuoso, you will find a charming fishing village located on the promontory of Portofino and the Abbey of San Fruttuoso. After leaving the dock from Camogli, catch sight of beautiful views of the tiny village. Next, you'll be able to admire the majesty of Portofino mountain, the pudding-stone landmark outcrop of Punta Chiappa. Then, pass the exclusive hamlet of San Fruttuoso, followed by the famous Hermit's Grotto and the Cala dell'Oro. Next, in Portofino, you will find the awe-inspiring blue sea, the lush green vegetation at the edge of the cliffs, and the elegance of villas along the coast. Finally, keep an eye out for bottle-nose dolphins on the boat trip back to Genova.

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.Lunch is sandwich (baby sandwich in child's menù) and chips. Lunch also includes 1 drink of your choice (0,40l Adult menù - 0,30l child menu).

Spend the afternoon exploring Portofino, just a short trip down the coast from Genoa. Check out the amazing scenery along the way and explore the charming and unique village for the afternoon. Depart from Genoa's Porto Antico Calata Mandraccio and head to Portofino. As you travel along the coast, admire the beautiful cliffs and coastal scenery. Camogli, the San Fruttuoso Bay, the Portofino Promontory, and the white lighthouse on the cliff await you. The natural beauty of the area is sure to amaze. In Portofino, visit the square, the famous boutiques, and admire the unique views in front of the church of San Giorgio. Maybe treat yourself to gelato before returning to Genoa.

Genoa, included among the Unesco world heritage sites, is the capital of Liguria and the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. Climb aboard the panoramic buses and observe the numerous monuments and grandiose buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries that stand along Strada Nuova. With the ticket valid for 24 or 48 hours you can admire both the historic center and the seafront of Corso Italia. This bus is also an ideal way to reach shopping places. Thanks to the possibility of getting on and off at any stop, you can visit attractions such as the cathedral of San Lorenzo, built in different styles ranging from Gothic to Renaissance and Palazzo Ducale. The best art collections can be visited in three different buildings of the Strada Nuova Museums. See Rubens' masterpieces alongside other works by Italian and local artists. Enjoy the 360° panorama from the second floor of the bus. Treat yourself to a stroll along the elegant Via Garibaldi, located in the cultural heart of Genoa, lined with imposing buildings and refined shops. Near the Porto Antico you will find numerous attractions suitable for the whole family, including the Aquarium where you can watch the dolphin show. Buses leave daily, every 20-30 minutes, until late afternoon, when you can give yourself some time to discover the city's lively nightlife. The heart of the city is represented by the ancient part of Genoa, up to the border marked by Piazza Sarzano and via San Lorenzo. With the ticket valid for 24 or 48 hours you can also board the buses the following day and stop at the lift that takes you to the Spianata Castelletto panoramic point. While admiring the most beautiful monuments of Genoa, you have the opportunity to listen to the informative commentary of the audio guide available in different languages. Historical Route- Red Line Stops 1) Acquario 2) Garibaldi 3) De Ferrari 4) Brignole Train Station 5) Via XX Settembre 6) Carignano 7) Corvetto 8) Portello - Spianata Castelletto 9) Principe Train Station 10) Cruise Terminal 11) Mei Coastline Route - Blue Line Stops 1) Acquario 2) Garibaldi 3) De Ferrari 4) Piazza della Vittoria 5) Boccadasse 6) Levante Water Front - upon request 7) Via XX Settembre 8) Galleria Mazzini 9) Portello- Spianata Castelletto 10) Principe Train Station 11) Cruise Terminal

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.

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.

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. 

• 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.

Experience the Aquarium of Genoa, the largest aquarium in Italy, located in the old harbor area of Genoa. Enjoy an exciting, immersive, and engaging visit before climbing the steps of the Lighthouse of Geno, the tallest lighthouse in the Mediterranean.  Take a rich and exciting journey as you discover the seas of the world in an aquarium that hosts the most extensive range of aquatic biodiversity in Europe. The exhibition gallery consists of over 70 exhibitions and 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 Genoa Aquarium is filled with innovative scenography, the latest digital installations, a completely renewed light and sound design, and a rich daily schedule of speeches. See also two areas dedicated to reptiles and amphibians, and to the conservation and recovery projects of animals in difficulty or seized by the authorities and entrusted to the aquarium. Next, walk over the iconic promenade to visit the monumental complex of the Lighthouse of Genoa, a symbol of the city. The world's fifth tallest lighthouse, the Lanterna di Genova has been operating for almost nine centuries and is the official lighthouse of the Port of Genoa. Climb the first 172 steps to admire Genoa from the top of its first panoramic terrace.