Gdynia Aquarium — Attraction in Gdynia

Very small aquarium with limited species. Layout is confusing, and because of that some people just used the exit-only doors to go into some rooms. Not a big deal but because the place was so small, could become a problem on busier days. If you've been to aquariums in larger western European cities or the US/Canada, you would be disappointed. Sure, admissions was cheaper to reflect that (tickets cost a third of what we pay at home) but I'd rather pay more and get a great experience. We brought our 22-month old son hoping to see some cool fish since he loves aquariums and he was so disappointed. He actually started falling asleep and had a temper tantrum and wanted to leave.

I don't know how many non-Polish visitors the aquarium, and by extension Gdynia gets, but I was very surprised that the staff working at the door didn't speak a single word of English. I don't visit foreign countries expecting everyone to speak English but considering we were in a more touristy area I thought perhaps they would hire staff that could at least muddle through some basics, e.g. being able to tell me that I can either park my stroller in their stroller room, or take the elevator to the main floor (which is the 2nd floor in Poland apparently). They were quick to stop us after taking our tickets but made no attempt to communicate once it became clear I didn't understand what they were saying. We were left feeling alarmed like we had done something wrong. Thankfully a nice lady behind me heard me apologising to the staff to tell them I didn't understand Polish, and she stepped in to translate.

For what it's worth, I wrote this review after returning from a 7-country tour, as I thought perhaps I would run into more communication issues in other countries....but it seems like this was an...

It's a shame that this aquarium is so badly managed. It's basically in a lighthouse configuration, you have to go to the top of the building and worked down floor by floor, most rooms are circular in nature and they fill up so fast that it's impossible to see things unless you walk in a very slow moving queue. There's no staff on site through the building that we saw so people were just pushing and shoving each other with no one to regulate them. Many of the tanks are too small for the creatures inside, especially the lobsters and most of the interactive educational things for children are broken or missing. The viewpoint outside on the balcony cost 2zł and didn't work.

It was interesting to note that we saw no staff all the way around the aquarium yet we got to the gift shop and there were at least 4 staff constantly hard selling toys to kids and interrupting your browsing to show you various products. It really did make it feel that the owners are pocketing the profits and not doing anything to improve the museum or the welfare of the...

The Gdynia Aquarium was a delightful stop for our family trip, offering a perfect blend of education and fun for a family of four. The family ticket option (2+2) was a great value, making it budget-friendly and hassle-free to enter. Our kids were thrilled with the interactive stations where they could collect stamps, which added a playful and engaging element to the visit. The aquarium itself is well-designed, with vibrant displays of marine life, from colorful reef fish to fascinating creatures like marble sharks and the beloved crocodile Zuzia. The educational exhibits, especially those highlighting the Baltic Sea and marine conservation, were informative without feeling overwhelming, sparking curiosity in both kids and adults. While it’s not the largest aquarium, its intimate setting and focus on local marine ecosystems made it a unique experience. The only downside was the crowded summer vibe and limited parking, but the stamp-collecting fun and the well-maintained exhibits made it a memorable outing. Highly recommend for families...