What is Istanbul Aquarium?
Beyond being a city full of historical and cultural riches, Istanbul is also home to unique tourist attractions. One of these places is Istanbul Aquarium, the largest aquarium in Turkey. The Aquarium is a center of entertainment and learning that offers visitors the opportunity to explore the mysterious world of the seas.
The Aquarium, which opened in 2011, won the title of the world’s largest thematic aquarium. But what is a thematic aquarium? In this aquarium, there are different parts that introduce the aquatic environment of different parts of the world. Each aquarium recreates different marine habitats, providing visitors with a realistic experience. Each of these points is designed in the same field format for viewers to get to know the vegetation and environment of that area, in addition to the blue creatures.
The area of the two-storey aquarium reaches approximately 22,000 m2. There are more than 17,000 animal species in the aquarium. The water volume in the aquarium is approximately 7,000 cubic meters.
One of the most striking parts of the aquarium is the “Sea Tunnel”. By walking through this tunnel, visitors find themselves in an environment of coral reefs and underwater caves, where hundreds of colorful fish and sea creatures swim around them. This gives you the experience of a real submarine journey.
The aquarium is not just a place for entertainment purposes; It also aims to raise awareness on marine biology and environment issues. Interactive activities for children and adults provide visitors with information on the conservation and sustainability of marine ecosystems.
Additionally, the education center and laboratories located within the facility provide learning opportunities for schools and student groups. Educational programs given by marine biologists aim to gain in-depth knowledge of the marine world.
This unique experience offered by the Istanbul Aquarium is a major attraction not only for local people but also for international visitors to Turkey. The aquarium offers an unforgettable journey for people of all ages who want to discover the enormous diversity and beauty of marine creatures.
Istanbul Aquarium Sections
Istanbul aquarium has different sections. Passing through each section of vegetation, you will see marine creatures and the geographical conditions of the area. The length of the route passing through seven places of the Istanbul Aquarium is approximately 1.2 kilometers.
The sections of the aquarium, which has 18 different thematic areas, are as follows:
- Black Sea
- Bosphorus
- Marmara Sea
- Hellespont
- 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 Istanbul Aquarium located?
The aquarium is located in the Florya district on the Bakırköy coast. The aquarium can be easily reached by public transportation.
You can learn the location of the Aquarium in more detail from the table below:
| Adress | Yeşilköy Mahallesi, Şenlikköy Havaalanı Karşısı, No:93/1 PK:34149 Florya/Bakırköy-İstanbul |
|---|---|
| Telephone | +90 212 574 11 22 |
| info@istanbulakvaryum.com | |
| Web | 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. The aquarium is open between 10.00-18.00 on Monday-Friday and welcomes you between 10.00-20.00 on weekends.
Ticket prices for aquarium visits are determined as 375 TL for adults and 325 TL for other categories.
| Visiting Hours | Ticket Prices |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri: 10.00-19.00 | Adult: 375 TL |
| Weekend: 10.00-20.00 | Other: 325 TL (2-18 Age, Student, Teachers, Disabled, Over 65, Veteran) |
| 0-24 Monthly Baby (Free) |
To learn more about Istanbul Aquarium visiting hours and ticket prices, you can visit the aquarium’s official website or call its contact number. You can also reduce the wait time at the aquarium by booking your tickets in advance.
Istanbul Aquarium How to go?
There are many ways to go to the Aquarium; we would like to tell you a few of them; It is easy to reach Florya from various points of Istanbul. All you have to do is get off at the Bakırköy stop via Metrobus or Marmaray and hop on the Florya minibuses or buses. You can also reach there using a taxi.
- You can reach the aquarium by getting off at Florya Aquarium Stop with Marmaray.
- You can reach it by getting off at Beşyol stop by Metrobus and getting off at Florya Minibus İstanbul Akvaryum Last Stop.
- For transportation by bus, BN1 Halkalı – Eminönü, 73Y Kuyumcukent – İstanbul Akvaryum, 73B Bakırköy – Florya and 73F Taksim – Florya Lines can be used.
- For those who will use sea transportation, the BN1 Halkalı – Eminönü bus line can be used from İDO Bakırköy İskelesi stop.
- Atatürk Airport Şirinevler Station + 73B Bakırköy – Florya and 73F Taksim – Florya lines can be used by metro line.
- Additionally, there is a free shuttle service between Taksim, Sultanahmet and Sirkeci for those who have tickets to the Aquarium from certain locations.
All in all, Istanbul Aquarium is the perfect place for an unforgettable journey into the depths of the seas. With its mission of providing entertainment, learning and environmental awareness to visitors, Istanbul Aquarium is one of Turkey’s touristic treasures and an unmissable destination for anyone interested in the marine world.
