What is Istanbul Aquarium?
Beyond being a city rich in history and culture, Istanbul is also home to unique tourist attractions. One of these is the Istanbul Aquarium, the largest aquarium in Türkiye. The aquarium is an entertainment and learning center that offers visitors the opportunity to explore the mysterious world of the seas.
Opened in 2011, the aquarium has earned the title of the world's largest themed aquarium. But what is a themed aquarium? This aquarium features different sections showcasing aquatic environments from various parts of the world. Each aquarium recreates different marine habitats, offering visitors a realistic experience. Each of these points is designed in the same spatial format, allowing viewers to recognize the vegetation and surroundings of that region, in addition to the blue creatures.
The two-story aquarium covers an area of approximately 22,000 m2. It houses over 17,000 animal species. The water volume in the aquarium is approximately 7,000 cubic meters.
One of the aquarium's most striking sections is the "Sea Tunnel." Visitors walk through this tunnel, finding themselves surrounded by hundreds of colorful fish and marine creatures, coral reefs, and underwater caves. It's like experiencing a real underwater journey.
The aquarium is not just an entertainment venue; it also aims to raise awareness about marine biology and environmental issues. Interactive activities for children and adults inform visitors about the conservation and sustainability of marine ecosystems.
In addition, the training center and laboratories located within the facility offer learning opportunities for schools and student groups. Training programs delivered by marine biologists aim to provide in-depth knowledge about the marine world.
The unique experience offered by the aquarium is a major attraction not only for locals but also for international visitors to Türkiye. The aquarium offers an unforgettable journey for people of all ages who want to discover the immense diversity and beauty of marine life.
Istanbul Aquarium Sections
The aquarium has different sections. Passing through each section of the vegetation, you will see marine life and the geographical conditions of the region. The route, which passes through seven different locations of the Istanbul Aquarium, is approximately 1.2 kilometers long.
The aquarium, which has 18 different thematic areas, includes the following sections:
- Black Sea
- Bosphorus
- Sea of Marmara
- Dardanelles Strait
- Aegean Sea
- Suez Canal
- Red Sea
- North Pole
- South Pole
- Mediterrenian
- Straits of Gibraltar
- Eastern Atlantic
- Mid-Atlantic Trough
- Western Atlantic
- Panama Canal
- Pacific
- Natlius Submarine
- Amazon Rainforest
Where is the Istanbul Aquarium located?
The aquarium is located in the Florya neighborhood on the Bakırköy coast. It is easily accessible by public transport.
You can find more detailed information about the Aquarium's location in the table below:
| Address | Yeşilköy Neighborhood, Opposite Şenlikköy Airport, No:93/1 PK:34149 Florya/Bakırköy-Istanbul |
|---|---|
| Telephone | +90 212 574 11 22 |
| info@istanbulakvaryum.com | |
| Website | https://www.istanbulakvaryum.com/ |
Istanbul Aquarium Visiting Hours and Ticket Prices
Istanbul Aquarium is open to visitors every day of the week, and visiting hours are quite flexible. It is open from 10:00 to 18:00 on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and from 10:00 to 20:00 on weekends.
Ticket prices for aquarium visits are set at 375 TL for adults and 325 TL for other categories.
| Visiting hours | Ticket Prices |
|---|---|
| Monday-Friday: 10:00-19:00 | Adult: 375 TL |
| Weekend: 10:00-20:00 | Child: 325 TL (Ages 2-18, Student, Teacher, Disabled, Over 65, Veteran) |
| 0-24 Months Baby (Free) |
To learn more about Istanbul Aquarium visiting hours and ticket prices, you can visit the aquarium's official website or call the contact number. You can also reduce waiting times by reserving your tickets in advance.
How to get there?
There are many ways to get to the aquarium, and we'd like to tell you about a few of them; it's easy to get to Florya from various points in Istanbul. Just get off at the Bakırköy station on the Metrobus or Marmaray and hop on a Florya minibus or bus. You can also get there by taxi.
- You can reach the aquarium by taking the Marmaray train and getting off at the Florya Aquarium Station.
- You can reach it by getting off at the Beşyol stop on the Metrobus, or by getting off at the Florya Minibus İstanbul Akvaryum Last Stop.
- For transportation by bus, you can use the BN1 Halkalı – Eminönü, 73Y Kuyumcukent – İstanbul Akvaryum, 73B Bakırköy – Florya, and 73F Taksim – Florya lines.
- Those using sea transport can take the BN1 Halkalı – Eminönü bus line from the İDO Bakırköy Pier stop.
- From the metro line, you can use Atatürk Airport Şirinevler Station + 73B Bakırköy – Florya and 73F Taksim – Florya lines.
- Additionally, there is a free shuttle service between Taksim, Sultanahmet, and Sirkeci for those who have tickets to the Aquarium from certain locations.
In conclusion, Istanbul Aquarium is the perfect place for an unforgettable journey into the depths of the seas. With its mission to entertain, educate, and raise environmental awareness among visitors, Istanbul Aquarium is one of Türkiye's touristic treasures and an unmissable destination for anyone interested in the marine world.
