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GenoaFamily-friendly activities

Our most recommended Genoa Family-friendly activities

Genoa: Aquarium of Genoa with Lunch

1. 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: Pelagos Sanctuary Whale Watching Cruise

2. 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.

Genoa: The City of Children and Young Museum Entry Ticket

3. 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

4. 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: Museum of Illusions Entry Ticket

5. Genoa: Museum of Illusions Entry Ticket

A fun traveling exhibition dedicated to the fascinating world of optical illusions. An exhibition able to excite and surprise all visitors thanks to more than 70 optical illusions, combinations of art, architecture, elements of psychology, physics and optics. An interactive exhibition that will entertain visitors by putting their senses and minds to the test, managing to make anyone doubt their perceptions. Interactive exhibition where you can learn while having fun. Impress your friends with amazing photos!

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.

Aquarium of Genoa Ticket and Whale Watching Cruise

7. 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.

Genoa: Biosfera Entrance Ticket

8. Genoa: Biosfera Entrance Ticket

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend the day in nature at the Genoa Biosfera. Head to the Old Port of Genoa, where you can witness the unique architecture of this steel and glass structure, designed by architect Renzo Piano. Inside the Biosphere, learn more about the fauna and flora of tropical forests, delicate ecosystems that are threatened by human exploitation. Observe more than 150 species closely, admire their fragile beauty and understand how their survival depends on you too. During your visit, get the opportunity to witness several rare specimens of tropical plants. In addition to the tree ferns, the tallest in the world, you can see plants such as the chewing gum tree, the coffee plant, the banana tree, and cinnamon.

Genoa: City Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour

9. 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.

Genoa: FantaCinema Museum Entry Ticket

10. Genoa: FantaCinema Museum Entry Ticket

Book your entry ticket to FantaCinema Museum and immerse yourself in original pieces, memorabilia, statues, articles, and posters from your favorite films while learning how fantasy cinema was born and how it developed. Discover cult objects such as the famous DeLorean, the original time machine by Zemeckis in “Back to the Future” and the original costumes from “Alien” and “Star Wars.” Enter other worlds as you explore sections dedicated to the Harry Potter films and the section featuring the sword fight between the medieval-fantasy warriors of “Game of Kings.” Feel the magic of mythical scenes with the help of popular films' soundtracks. See what it would be like to be the protagonist. Stop at the section dedicated to shooting, editing, and projection tools and an engaging section dedicated to entertainment to get a glimpse of what takes place behind the scenes.

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What people are saying about Genoa

The aquarium was very well done and not too busy first thing in the morning. I was impressed with the team for the whale watching tour as we were on our way back in when they heard about another spotting...instead of ending the tour, they went back out to sea a little and we was another whale. My only suggestion would be to rope off a queue to get on...people were pushing and shoving to find their perfect spot...not so safe for little ones.

It was wonderful, we could see the whale very closely, and the dolphins how they jumped very close to us, we would say that they were putting on a show just for us. Great day staff imppecable to redo when I return.

Super well designed hunt, gives purpose to the visit of the city. The monuments on offer are just breathtaking. I highly recommend, Genoa being a magnificent city in the center.

Wonderful boat trip, all the staff very trained and professional. We saw several animals and it was really exciting.

It is a beautiful excursion, the sighting of a whale and a group of dolphins made me move like a child ...