Genoa Aquarium penguin experience

A regular Genoa Aquarium ticket lets you see the penguins along the main visitor route as part of the Aquarium visit.

The Aquarium also offers a separate penguin experience for visitors who want to learn more about the animals and their daily care with the Aquarium team. The experience includes access to the technical area of the penguin tank, where you can observe food preparation and feeding.

Regular Aquarium admission is mandatory to enjoy the penguin experience. If you book the penguin experience, you must also have a regular Aquarium admission ticket for the same visit. The penguin experience booking alone does not provide access to the Aquarium.

Experience overview

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes, starting at 1:30pm
Small group: Maximum 5 participants, from 6 years old
Language: Italian only
Advance booking: At least 3 working days in advance, subject to availability
Separate admission: Regular Aquarium entry is required and must be purchased separately

Gentoo penguins at Genoa Aquarium exhibit.

Regular admission vs penguin experience

Feature	Regular admission	Penguin experience
Penguin viewing	See the penguins along the regular visitor route	See the penguins and observe their care and feeding from the technical area
Technical-area access	Not included	Step into the staff area behind the penguin exhibit
Guide	Self-guided experience	Guided experience with the Aquarium team
Group size	Regular visitor capacity	Maximum 5 participants
Booking	Regular Aquarium admission	Separate advance reservation required
Physical contact	Not permitted	Not permitted

What happens during the penguin experience

1/5

Meet the Aquarium team

Start with an introduction to the penguins and the staff who care for them. Discover the penguins living at the Aquarium and observe their behaviour while learning how their environment and daily routines are managed by the care team.

See how their food is prepared

Follow the preparation of the penguins’ food before feeding time and find out how meals form part of their daily care. See a routine that takes place away from the main visitor route.

Enter the technical area

Go beyond the regular viewing route and enter the technical area of the penguin tank with the Aquarium team. From here, get a different perspective of the exhibit and the work involved in caring for them.

Observe feeding time

Watch the Aquarium staff distribute the penguins’ meal from the technical area. See how feeding takes place and observe the penguins as they respond to the routine from this staff-side vantage point.

Continue exploring the Aquarium

Once the 1-hour-30-minute experience ends, return to the main visitor route and continue exploring the Aquarium’s other exhibits independently. Your separate Aquarium admission remains valid subject to opening hours.

Can you see penguins with regular admission?

Yes. Regular Aquarium admission lets you see the penguins along the main visitor route as part of the Aquarium visit.

The separate penguin experience is for visitors who want to go beyond the regular exhibit, access the technical area and observe part of the penguins’ care and feeding routine with the Aquarium team.

Choose regular admission only when

Seeing the penguins along the regular visitor route is enough.
Exploring the Aquarium’s wider marine-life exhibits is a priority.
Access to the penguin tank’s technical area is not needed.

Book Genoa Aquarium reserved entry

Book Genoa Aquarium tickets

Genoa Aquarium Tickets

Book now, pay later

Flexible

‌

Check availability

Combo: Genoa Aquarium + Christopher Columbus House Tickets

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

4 hrs

‌

Check availability

Know before you go

Girl observing dolphin at Genoa Aquarium.

Start time: 1:30pm
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
Availability: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Advance booking: At least 3 working days in advance, subject to availability

See regular Aquarium schedule

Penguins on rocky ledge near waterfall at Genoa Aquarium.

Experience area: Penguin exhibit at the Aquarium
Technical area: Includes access to the technical area of the penguin tank, where staff distribute the penguins’ meal.

Find your way to the aquarium

White sneakers on a fluffy rug, emphasizing comfort for travel tours.

Closed shoes with rubber soles: The technical area may have a wet floor, and shoe soles must be disinfected before entry.
Warm, comfortable clothing: The technical area is kept at a low temperature.
Aquarium admission ticket: Regular Aquarium entry is mandatory and is not included with the penguin experience.

Plan your Aquarium experience ahead

Frequently asked questions about the penguin experience at Genoa Aquarium

Yes. A separate Aquarium admission ticket is mandatory. The exclusive experience ticket alone does not allow you to participate.

Genoa Aquarium penguin experience

Experience overview

Regular admission vs penguin experience