What Acquario di Genova does

Acquario di Genova is the largest aquarium in Europe, located at the Porto Antico complex in Genoa, Italy, inaugurated in 1994 as part of architect Renzo Piano's redevelopment of the historic port. The aquarium houses over 400 animal species and 200 plant species across roughly 12,000 specimens on 12,000 m² of exhibition space, organised into controlled tropical, temperate, cold, and freshwater habitat systems. It operates 365 days a year and is part of the Acquario Village multi-attraction portfolio, which also includes La Città dei Bambini e dei Ragazzi (an interactive children's museum), Biosfera (a Renzo Piano-designed glass sphere with a tropical forest exhibit), and Bigo (a panoramic lift). The company is owned and operated by Costa Edutainment S.p.A., a diversified Italian edutainment group that also runs other Italian aquariums and animal parks.

The business operates a direct-to-consumer model built on tiered admission tickets, combined cross-attraction tickets, and annual subscriptions (AcquarioPass and TEN), priced in ranges from €6 (Biosfera single admission) to €130 (Expert with You private guided tour). Revenue is diversified across admissions, premium experiential add-ons (dolphin encounters, penguin experiences, behind-the-scenes tours, shark sleepovers, emotional dinners), food and beverage (Tender fast food and Gusto a Bordo restaurant), retail (two gift shops), parking, and private event venue rentals. Distribution combines on-site box offices, a proprietary online ticketing platform with dynamic date/time-slot pricing, and channel partnerships including C-WAY (the official tour operator for groups, schools, and corporate events), hotel+ticket packages, and a Trenitalia rail cross-promotion. Customers span families, school groups, individual domestic and international tourists, and corporate event clients.

The company holds sector credentials including EAZA membership since 1998 (with participation in European Endangered Species Programmes and studbook management for species such as manatees and Mediterranean tortoises), UIZA and EAAM memberships, official Giardino Zoologico recognition under Italian law since 2011, and an "Ok! Tourism for All" accessibility certification. Conservation and research are delivered through a dedicated technical-scientific team, including a five-year LIFE URCA PROEMYS project launched in 2022 for European pond turtle conservation. UniCredit is the primary sponsor; Renzo Piano Building Workshop is a long-standing design partner. The company is privately held within the Costa Edutainment group, with no public ticker, funding rounds, or M&A activity disclosed.

Name

Acquario di Genova

Legal name

Costa Edutainment S.p.A.

Website

https://acquariodigenova.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Acquario di Genova operates Europe's largest aquarium in Genoa, Italy, housing 400+ species across 12,000 m². Part of Costa Edutainment S.p.A., it serves tourists, families, schools, and corporate clients through admissions, subscriptions, premium experiences, and event rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Aquarium and Edutainment Attractions

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE)

Keywords

• Marine aquarium exhibits
• Edutainment attractions
• Marine life education
• Conservation breeding programs
• Public aquarium experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Genoa

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: Single tickets for aquarium access with dynamic pricing based on date and time slot. Children 0-3 free, reduced rates for seniors 65+, military, and disabled. Fixed date and Flexi open ticket options available.
2. Combined Tickets: Acquario Village ticket combining aquarium, La Città dei Bambini, Bigo, and Biosfera. Pianeta Acquario combining aquarium with Bigo and Biosfera. Higher price points for multiple attractions.
3. Annual Subscriptions: AcquarioPass annual subscription for unlimited visits (1 per day) to the aquarium. TEN subscription for 10 entries to La Città dei Bambini.
4. Food and Beverage: On-site Tender fast food bar and Gusto a Bordo restaurant on the Blue Ship deck offering traditional Italian cuisine
5. Retail/Gift Shop: Two gift shops (I Delfini and L'Approdo) selling exclusive aquarium merchandise and souvenirs
6. Premium Experiences: Additional fee experiences including Face to Face with Dolphins (€100), Penguins (€60), Night with Sharks (€89 children), Emotional Dinners (€86+), and Expert with You guided tours (€130 flat)
7. Event Venue Rental: Private events including corporate meetings, weddings, team building, and evening exclusive events in aquarium spaces
8. Parking: On-site parking with hourly rates (€3/hour 7:00-24:00, €1.10/hour 24:00-7:00) and monthly overnight subscriptions at €50

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Acquario di Genova is the largest aquarium in Europe, housing over 400 animal species and 200 plant species across 12,000 square meters of exhibition space at Porto Antico in Genoa, Italy. The company operates the aquarium itself, combined attractions (La Città dei Bambini, Biosfera, Bigo), premium animal experiences (dolphin/penguin encounters, shark sleepovers), and supporting services including restaurants, gift shops, parking, and an official tour operator (C-WAY) for groups and schools.

Product overview

Acquario di Genova operates as a multi-attraction marine education and entertainment complex. The core product is the Acquario di Genova itself - Europe's largest aquarium with over 400 animal species and 200 plant species across 12,000 sqm. The company offers combined ticket products (Acquario Village, Pianeta Acquario) bundling access to four Porto Antico facilities including La Città dei Bambini e dei Ragazzi, Biosfera, and Bigo. Premium add-on experiences include dolphin encounters, penguin experiences, behind-the-scenes tours, shark sleepovers, emotional dinners, and evening aquarium visits. Additional services include a digital audio guide app, restaurant (Gusto a Bordo), fast food (Tender), annual subscriptions (Acquario Pass, TEN), and the official C-WAY tour operator for packages and groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AcquarioVillage: Combined ticket offering including Acquario di Genova, La Città dei Bambini e dei Ragazzi, Bigo, and Biosfera

Products and services

• Acquario di Genova (Main Aquarium) The main aquarium attraction - the largest aquarium in Europe - featuring over 400 animal species and 200 plant species across 12,000 square meters of exhibition space. Located at Porto Antico in Genoa and aimed at general visitors, families, school groups, and tourists.
• Acquario Village (Combined Ticket) Combined ticket providing access to all four Costa Edutainment facilities in Porto Antico area: Acquario di Genova, La Città dei Bambini e dei Ragazzi, Bigo, and Biosfera. Targeted at families and tourists seeking a multi-attraction day experience.
• La Città dei Bambini e dei Ragazzi The first Experience Museum in Italy dedicated to the five senses, located below Acquario di Genova, where children can discover themselves and the world through direct experience. Targeted at families with children.
• Biosfera Scenic spherical glass and steel structure designed by architect Renzo Piano, housing a portion of tropical forest with its fauna and flora, located 50 meters from Acquario di Genova. Targeted at general visitors and tourists.
• Bigo Panoramic Lift Panoramic lift designed by architect Renzo Piano offering a 360-degree view of Genoa from 40 meters height, located 100 meters from Acquario di Genova. Targeted at tourists and general visitors.
• Digital Audio Guide (Audioguida Digitale) Web-app based audio guide accessible via smartphone using a PIN code, providing audio and textual content along the exhibition route in multiple languages. PIN valid for 48 hours from activation. Available as an add-on to ticket purchase.
• Face to Face with Dolphins (A tu per tu con i delfini) Premium experience where participants meet dolphins at the Cetacean Pavilion, observe training sessions, and learn about conservation research on Mediterranean cetaceans. Priced at €100. Targeted at visitors seeking premium animal encounters.
• Face to Face with Penguins (A tu per tu con i pinguini) Premium penguin experience where participants observe food preparation activities, access the technical area of the penguin tank, and learn about daily penguin management. Priced at €60. Targeted at families and visitors interested in penguins.
• Behind-the-Scenes Tour (Acquario dietro le quinte) Guided behind-the-scenes tour of aquarium tanks, revealing operations and curiosities for both adults and children. Targeted at visitors seeking deeper aquarium insights.
• Expert with You (L'esperto con te) Private 2-hour guided tour with an aquarium expert for up to 5 people, exploring aquatic biodiversity with customizable topics. Flat rate €130. Targeted at small groups seeking in-depth expert-led experiences.
• Night with Sharks (Notte con gli squali) Overnight aquarium experience for children ages 7-11, sleeping in front of the shark tank and discovering the aquarium's nocturnal animal behavior. Priced at €89 for children. Targeted at families with school-age children.
• Emotional Dinners (Cene emozionali) Emotional dinner experience at the aquarium with sensory elements, offering romantic dinners surrounded by marine environments. Priced from €86+. Targeted at couples and adults seeking unique dining experiences.
• Evening Aquarium (Acquario di sera) Exclusive evening guided visits during July and August with lowered lights and quiet atmosphere, plus special theatrical animations on Fridays. Targeted at summer visitors seeking a different aquarium experience.
• Pianeta Acquario (Combined Ticket) Combined ticket including Acquario di Genova, Bigo panoramic lift, and Biosfera for a full immersion of emotions from Italy's largest aquarium. Adult from €37. Targeted at visitors seeking a curated three-attraction experience without the children's museum.
• Acquario Pass (Annual Subscription) Annual subscription allowing unlimited visits to Acquario di Genova for 365 days with a limit of 1 visit per day. Adult €74, children 4-12 €59, children 0-3 free. Targeted at local visitors and frequent aquarium-goers.
• TEN Subscription (La Città dei Bambini) Subscription valid for 1 year with 10 entries to La Città dei Bambini e dei Ragazzi experience museum. Single rate €90. Targeted at local families with young children who frequent the children's museum.
• Ristorante Gusto a Bordo Restaurant located on the deck of the Nave Blu offering refined Italian cuisine with views over Porto Antico. Targeted at visitors and diners seeking a sit-down meal during their aquarium visit.
• Tender Fast Food Fast food bar along the aquarium visit route offering quick meals including sandwiches, hamburgers, pizza, and salads. Targeted at visitors seeking convenient dining during their aquarium tour.
• C-WAY Tour Operator Official tour operator of Acquario di Genova offering package tours, school trips, group bookings (minimum 20 paying), corporate events, travel agencies, and customized travel experiences. Targeted at groups, schools, agencies, and corporate clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 33 million total visitors in 30 years of operation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• LIFE URCA PROEMYSminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Five-year conservation project launched in 2022 to improve conservation status of European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in Italy and Slovenia, preserving genetic diversity of existing populations.
• Costa EdutainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company Costa Edutainment S.p.A. operates Acquario di Genova as part of a network of edutainment facilities including Acquario di Livorno, Bioparco di Roma, Acquario di Cattolica, and other attractions.
• EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull member since 1998, participating in European Endangered Species Programmes (EEP) for conservation and breeding of endangered species. Manages European studbooks for various species.
• UIZA (Unione Italiana Zoo e Acquari)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian national association of zoos and aquariums, facilitating cooperation among Italian wildlife facilities.
• EAAM (European Association for Aquatic Mammals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean association specifically focused on aquatic mammals, supporting best practices in dolphin and marine mammal care.
• C-WAYcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial tour operator for Acquario di Genova handling group bookings, school reservations, corporate events, and hotel+ticket packages. Website: c-way.it
• TrenitaliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership offering discounts to visitors arriving by Trenitalia trains (Frecce, Intercity, Regional), promoting sustainable travel to the aquarium.
• UniCreditminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary sponsor of Acquario di Genova, featured prominently on website and promotional materials.
• Renzo Piano Building WorkshopcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitect Renzo Piano designed the Biosfera (glass sphere) and Bigo (panoramic lift) structures at Porto Antico, which are part of the Acquario Village combined ticket offering.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Shedd Aquarium: Shedd Aquarium in Chicago is one of the largest U.S. public aquariums and a comparable urban, mixed-collection marine institution. It shares comparable scale, dolphin/sea-otter programming, and education-led visitor experience, but operates in a different geographic market.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: Monterey Bay Aquarium is a major U.S. nonprofit aquarium on the California coast with comparable scale, conservation programming, and premium visitor experiences. It does not directly compete geographically but is a meaningful operational and programming comparable.

Broad incumbents

• SEA LIFE (Merlin Entertainments): SEA LIFE is a global chain of aquariums operated by Merlin Entertainments across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. It is a broader incumbent in marine attraction visitor experiences, with multiple sites competing for tourist itineraries in Italy and across Europe.

Direct peers

• Oceanogràfic: Valencia, Spain's Oceanogràfic is one of Europe's largest public aquariums and the flagship of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias complex. It directly competes with Acquario di Genova for European marine-attraction tourism and shares a comparable scale, dolphin/shark collection, and premium-experience monetization.
• Oceanário de Lisboa: Lisbon's Oceanário is one of the largest indoor aquariums in Europe, located at Parque das Nações. It competes for the same southern-European tourist flows as Acquario di Genova and offers a comparable large-tank marine biodiversity experience.
• Nausicaá: Nausicaá in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France is one of Europe's largest publicly operated aquariums focused on marine biodiversity and conservation. It is highly comparable to Acquario di Genova in scale, public-institution operating model, and education-led visitor proposition.
• Acquario di Livorno: Acquario di Livorno is a Costa Edutainment-operated public aquarium in Tuscany. It is a directly comparable Italian marine attraction within the same parent network, with overlapping species collection, ticketing logic, and group-booking channels.
• Acquario di Cattolica: Acquario di Cattolica is another Costa Edutainment aquarium on Italy's Adriatic coast. It directly overlaps with Acquario di Genova in Mediterranean Italian tourist market and operates a comparable marine-attraction, family-ticketing model under the same parent.
• Aquarium de Paris: Paris's public aquarium is a comparable European urban aquarium focused on marine biodiversity and family education. It competes for international tourists visiting major Western European capitals and offers overlapping fish, shark, and touch-tank experiences.
• Bioparco di Roma: Bioparco di Roma is a zoological garden in Rome operated by the same parent, Costa Edutainment S.p.A. It is a sister attraction within the parent's edutainment portfolio, sharing back-office, membership, and group-booking infrastructure with Acquario di Genova.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AcquarioGenova
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acquario-di-genova

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Acquario di Genova