Main page | NMFRI Gdynia Aquarium

AIMused project

Akwarium Gdyńskie — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Accessibility Integration
and Artificial Intelligence for Museums

Timeline

27–28 October 2025 / First AIMused Project Meeting

The first AIMused project meeting took place at the National Marine Fisheries Research Institute in Gdynia. For two days, we discussed what accessibility in tourism means to us, how to jointly implement our ideas, and how to shape the project so that it brings real change in the South Baltic region. The meeting was attended by project partners, representatives of the Interreg South Baltic Programme, and the Pomeranian Regional Tourist Organization.

13 October 2025 / AIMused officially launched

Director of the National Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Piotr Margoński, and Secretary of State at the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, Jacek Karnowski, signed the subsidy contract for the AIMused project, thus launching its implementation. The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021–2027.

About the project

AIMused is the first initiative in the South Baltic region that combines artificial intelligence and accessibility in educational tourism.

Its goal is to make the content and experiences offered by tourist attractions more accessible – so that everyone, regardless of age, ability or perception of the world, can enjoy them fully.

The project brings together institutions with diverse profiles – museums, an aquarium, SMEs and universities. This cross-sectoral collaboration merges scientific, technological and social expertise to create tools that will make tourism more inclusive, understandable and visitor-friendly.

Project co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the Interreg South Baltic Programme 2021–2027.

Project objective

Across Europe – and in the South Baltic region as well – societies are ageing and the number of people with cognitive and accessibility needs is growing.
According to Eurostat data (2023), 27% of Europeans aged 16 and over reported having some form of disability. This equals 101 million people, or one in four adults in the EU.

For the countries in our region, the statistics are as follows:
Poland – 24.4%, Germany – 28.2%, Denmark – 36.7%, Lithuania – 27.4%, Sweden – 22.6%.

The AIMused project aims to improve the digital and informational accessibility of tourist attractions and to create a more inclusive offer for people with diverse needs – including persons with disabilities, older adults and neurodivergent visitors. The project uses modern tools, including those based on artificial intelligence, to help attractions adapt their content and communication to different audiences.

Presenting information in a way that is accessible to as many people as possible strengthens their participation in cultural, educational and environmental experiences.
This is why inclusive solutions are needed – so that everyone can take part in tourism and learning without barriers and in a way that matches their abilities.

Project impact

AIMused will set new standards for content accessibility in educational tourism.
Through international cooperation, the project will deliver scalable and transferable solutions that can be implemented in various types of institutions – from science centres and museums to theme parks and nature heritage sites.It will help organisations develop offers that combine education, technology and accessibility – so that everyone can take part in discovering the world.

What will be developed?

Guidelines describing best practices for accessibility in tourism, universal design and plain language,
Digital and physical tools improving access to content in tourist sites,
Training and workshops for tourism and education professionals on communication, cognitive accessibility and the use of AI to support visitors,
Publications – scientific and popular – summarising the project’s results and recommendations for the tourism sector.

All solutions will be tested in different South Baltic countries with the participation of people with special needs and accessibility experts.

Project partners

project leader: National Marine Fisheries Research Institute – Gdynia Aquarium (Poland)
University of Szczecin (Poland)
Lithuanian Sea Museum (Lithuania)
NaturBornholm (Denmark)
Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau (Germany)
Kalmar County Museum (Sweden)
KL Kulturland MV gGmbH (Germany)
Nautil – Leszek Chojnicki (Poland)
and 11 associated partners from Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Lithuania and Poland.

Project duration

18 September 2025 – 18 August 2028

Budget

Total project budget: EUR 2,076,967.75
ERDF co-financing: EUR 1,661,574.20

The post AIMused project first appeared on NMFRI Gdynia Aquarium.

What will you see?

Akwarium Gdyńskie — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:19:07 +0000

Eight exhibition halls present the inhabitants of various biotopes, including the dense tropics of the Amazon, the coral reef, the open ocean of the Pacific, the Baltic Sea, and the cold waters of the North Atlantic.

In our exhibition, you will find over 200 species of animals associated with the aquatic environment across 5 floors of the building. In April 2024, we opened a new hall – Cold Seas: From the Baltic to the Atlantic, in the basement of the building.

The Gdynia Aquarium is part of the National Marine Fisheries Research Institute, which is the oldest unit engaged in marine research in Poland. It has had the status of a zoo since 2005 and serves as a bridge between the world of marine research and marine education. Our Education Center offers a wide range of activities designed for different age groups.

We believe that to fully appreciate the beauty of the underwater world, you need to get to know it as well as possible. Before you visit us, read about the animals presented at the Gdynia Aquarium. To learn more about our residents, you can browse the exhibition catalog below or use the guide through the free web application.

The post What will you see? first appeared on NMFRI Gdynia Aquarium.

Cold Seas: from the Atlantic to the Baltic

Akwarium Gdyńskie — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 13:52:05 +0000

Unusual species of jellyfish, unique crustaceans, and an exhibition built below sea level. We are opening the largest complex in Poland, presenting the environment of the seas of the cold northern hemisphere. Opening on April 20, 2024.

The construction works for the implementation of the new investment in the Gdynia Aquarium started in 2021. From the very beginning, it has been an extraordinary challenge, the effects of which will soon be observable. Over the course of 4 years, an exhibition was created at the Gdynia Aquarium, showcasing the fauna and flora of cold seas. This includes over 30 species of animals, three times the volume of water compared to all of our previous tanks combined, and new experiences for visitors.

Below the surface of the Baltic Sea

The expansion of the educational path for the new exhibition at the Gdynia Aquarium was a challenge from the very first day of construction work. The biggest challenge was the transformation of the existing basement into usable space. This required lowering the foundations and the basement floor, as well as building new column foundations that support the weight of the rotunda structure. Due to the creation of new space below sea level, the contractor had to build a structure resembling a bathtub around the new floor, aimed at protecting the building from water ingress into its interior. Thus, when visiting the “Cold Seas” exhibition, we literally move underwater!

450,000 liters more water!

The new exhibition consists of 12 tanks with a total volume of 450,000 liters! They are inhabited mainly by bony and cartilaginous fish, as well as crustaceans and a species of jellyfish unique to us, Chrysaora quinquecirrha, bred by our aquarists. Visitors will be able to admire the behavior of schooling fish, those that thrive in surf zone conditions, and those that hide in the sand. The entire exhibition presents the fauna of the cold part of the Atlantic Ocean, including the North Sea, the Danish Straits, and the Baltic Sea. Ultimately, up to 1300 new organisms will inhabit the new space.

Cold Seas – from the Atlantic to the Baltic

The new exhibition is designed to showcase the diversity of an environment that is not commonly considered as such. The dynamic, well-oxygenated, and fully salted waters of the northern Atlantic provide excellent conditions for the life of many species of animals and plants. This exhibition is an invitation to embark on a journey that leads from the open waters of the Atlantic Ocean to the nearly enclosed, least saline sea in the world – the Baltic Sea.

Each tank located along the tour route brings visitors closer to discovering a slice of the unique richness of the cold European seas.

The ocean and humanity are inseparably linked

The new exhibition is not only a place where the Atlantic meets the Baltic. It is also a space where guests of the Gdynia Aquarium will be able to learn about the relationships that connect the marine world with the world of humans. The global ocean provides about 50% of the oxygen we breathe, shapes the climate, influences the weather, and is a source of resources that help people live healthily.

The implementation of the project is possible thanks to the support of the Marshal’s Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship within the framework of action 11.4 of the ROP Pomerania 2014-2020.

The project in numbers:

Total Value: 19,365,271.32 PLN
Eligible Expenditures: 15,424,777.46 PLN
Requested EU Funding: 11,035,612.10 PLN
EU Co-Financing Level [%]: 71.54%
Number of tanks – 12
Amount of water – 450 000 liters
The largest tank – 126 700 liters
The smallest tank– 2 300 liters
Completion date – 31.12.2023 r.
Exhibition opening date – 20.04.2024 r.

The project contractor was selected through the second tender procedure. The company 3JM Michał Bryłka won the tender.

What did the investment look like?

This is how our basement looked at the beginning of the investment works.

The arrangement of the exhibition space, in a place previously unprepared for tourists, required a series of construction works. These included:

reinforcement of the existing building structure,
lowering of the foundations and basement floor,
construction of a staircase,
installation of a new elevator and all necessary utilities.

The post Cold Seas: from the Atlantic to the Baltic first appeared on NMFRI Gdynia Aquarium.

Multimedia guides

Akwarium Gdyńskie — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 14:41:05 +0000

By visiting the Gdynia Aquarium, you can use a free application that help you navigate the exhibition and provide knowledge about our animals. It is a web app that is easy to use and do not require installation. Remember to bring your own headphones and wear them while using the guide.

eGuide

eGuide tells about the inhabitants of the Gdynia Aquarium. It is enriched with photos and voice recordings (including those by Krystyna Czubówna) that allow for a comfortable visit. The application is available in Polish and English.

At the beginning of the tour, a login screen appears, but no data needs to be provided. QR codes and numbers leading to the eGuide can be found next to the aquaria’ descriptions

The post Multimedia guides first appeared on NMFRI Gdynia Aquarium.

Opening days and hours

Akwarium Gdyńskie — Thu, 04 Jul 2019 13:20:39 +0000

Days of month	Opening hours	The ticket office and entrance
April 1st – May 31st	09:00 a.m. – 07:00 p.m.	09:00 a.m. – 06:30 p.m.
June 1st - June 30th	09:00 a.m. – 08:00 p.m.	09:00 a.m. – 07:30 p.m.
July 1st – August 31st	09:00 a.m. – 09:00 p.m.	09:00 a.m. – 08:30 p.m.
September 1st – September 30th	09:00 a.m. – 07:00 p.m.	09:00 a.m. – 06:30 p.m.
October 1st – March 31st	10:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m.	10:00 a.m. – 04:30 p.m.

Exhibition is closed on:

Mondays – from the beginning of November to the end of February,
the 1st of November (All Saints), 24th – 25th of December (Christmas),
the 31st of December (New Year’s Eve)
the 1st of January (New Year)
the 1st day of Easter

The post Opening days and hours first appeared on NMFRI Gdynia Aquarium.

Frequently asked questions

Akwarium Gdyńskie — Tue, 29 Aug 2017 13:48:49 +0000

There are no tickets available in the online store for the day I plan to come to you. Will I still buy a ticket at the ticket office?

Yes. The ticket office has a separate pool of tickets. If there are no tickets available in the online shop for the day you choose, you will get them on site at the cash desk.

When can I visit the Aquarium?

The Aquarium opening hours vary depending on the season. You will find all information here.

What is the cost of the tickets?

Current ticket prices can be found in here. We invite you to check the offer of family tickets, discount cards and name tickets. We also recommend following special offers related to holidays such as Children’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, appearing in the News tab.

Can I book tickets?

The Gdynia Aquarium does not provide the ticket booking service.

How to get to the Aquarium?

The Gdynia Aquarium is located on the extension of Kościuszko Square, at Aleja Jana Pawła II 1.

Are there queues to entrance of the Aquarium?

Queues to the Aquarium can occur in the summer season. Visits peaks are between 11 a.m. and 03 p.m.

Can tickets be bought in advance?

Yes, tickets can be purchased 14 days in advance.

Who is entitled to free entrance?

Free admission is granted to:

Children up to 4 years of age
Group supervisors (1 guardian per 10 persons)
Carergivers of people with disabilities
Employees of the zoological gardens
PTTK guides

Authorized persons should aquire a free admission card from the Aquarium ticket office before starting the tour. More information on tickets and admissions to here.

Are there group discounts?

Information about the possibility to tour the Aquarium by the groups can be found here.

Do you have a cloakroom and luggage storage at the Aquarium?

Outside the summer season, there is a cloakroom in the Aquarium. We do not store luggage.

Can the Aquarium be visited with a dog?

The only dogs that can visit the Gdynia Aquarium exhibition are assistance dogs and guide dogs.

A person visiting the Gdynia Aquarium with such a pet must equip it with a harness, have a certificate confirming the dog’s status as a guide / assistant and a certificate of the required veterinary vaccinations.

Unfortunately, other dogs, even those tiny and carried on hands or in handbags, are not allowed at the Gdynia Aquarium exhibition.

Are there guides in the Aquarium?

There are no guiding people in the Aquarium. We invite you to use the web application, available on your phones, without downloading, at przewodnik.akwarium.gdynia.pl.

How long does the tour take?

The average visiting time is about 80 minutes. To navigate easier you can use map from the link and available at the exhibition.

Is there a café at the Aquarium?

In the summer, a gastronomic point with a view on the Gulf of Gdańsk operates on the terrace of the Gdynia Aquarium. In low season, there are many places offering meals around the Aquarium.

Can I take photos or record videos at the Aquarium?

Yes. However, please remember to turn off the flash units in rooms with live animals.

Does the Gdynia Aquarium offer parking for guests?

Unfortunately, the Gdynia Aquarium does not have its own parking for guests. However, along the entire length of Skwer Kościuszki, there is a city-paid parking zone where you can leave your vehicle. It’s worth noting that during the summer season, these spots can fill up quickly. The nearest free parking is located in the underground parking of the central park, and there is also paid parking available at the Mercure hotel.

The post Frequently asked questions first appeared on NMFRI Gdynia Aquarium.

For groups

Akwarium Gdyńskie — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 10:31:16 +0000

Some classes from our offer are led in English.

For educational purposes, we also use the exhibition of our zoo located at the coast of the Gulf of Gdansk. This amazing location and character of the institution gives the opportunity to show organisms associated with the ecosystem of the Baltic Sea environment, as well as aquatic fauna, coming from almost all over the world.

To go though our educational offer visit the site in Polish language.

The Education Center was established at the Gdynia Aquarium in 1998 to promote knowledge of the sea. From then on, students from the Tri-City and surrounding areas and school groups from all over Poland have taken part in many projects. Our main goal is to familiarize as many young people as possible with current issues related to biology, ecology and protection of the marine environment. Participants learn about the world of the sea through the senses of touch, sight, hearing and practical experiences.

Contact us!

akwarium.edukacja@mir.gdynia.pl
+48 605 082 626
+48 58 732 66 20
We work from Monday to Friday from 07:30 to 15:30.

The post For groups first appeared on NMFRI Gdynia Aquarium.