Istanbul Aquarium Tickets

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Istanbul Aquarium
























































Top things to do in Istanbul

Istanbul Aquarium | A marine wonderland

Have you ever wanted to get up close to a shark? Or be surrounded by a pod of graceful manta rays? At Istanbul Aquarium, you can do these and more. Home to more than 15,000 sea and land creatures from around the world, this magical haven is also known as the Florya Aquarium or Istanbul Akvaryum. You can watch live feeding sessions, interact with them in touch pools, learn about the aquarium’s conservation efforts, and even have a 5D cinematic experience.

If you want to know more about Istanbul Aquarium tickets, the opening hours, how to get there, and more, you’ve come to the right place.

Why visit the Istanbul Aquarium?

Istanbul Aquarium habitat zones
Istanbul Aquarium
Istanbul Aquarium
Istanbul Aquarium feeding session
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Discover 18 marine habitats

One of the largest thematic aquariums in the world, Istanbul Aquarium covers 18 geographical zones from the Black Sea to the Pacific Ocean. In these habitats, it houses more than 1,500 species of marine life – more than 15,000 land and sea animals.

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Venture along a 1.2 km long route

The aquarium’s habitats are laid out leading from one geographical area to another, covering the Mediterranean, the oceans, and ending at the Amazon rainforest. It’s a 1.2-kilometer route where you’ll encounter sharks, manta rays, eels, lobsters, and piranhas.

Meet extraordinary marine life

Apart from the sharks and rays, the aquarium is home to several unique species like the Humphead Wrasse, Bowmouth Guitarfish, False Stonefish, Lionfish, and many more. Its incredible variety of species highlights the oceans’ diversity.

Get hands-on with sea creatures

Spend time at the touch pools to get to know starfish and sea urchins, and watch a live feeding session, where the aquarium’s divers feed the fish. These activities let you get up close and personal with the fascinating sea life.

Know before you book your Istanbul Aquarium tickets

  • Transfers to the Istanbul Aquarium from Sultanahmet and Taksim Square are included in your tickets. Keep in mind that the return shuttle leaves the aquarium at 4pm. If you want to spend longer at the aquarium, choose an earlier time slot when you book your tickets online.
  • If you want to attend a live fish feeding session, which is held every day (except Monday) at 11am, choose an early time slot when you purchase your tickets.

Your Istanbul Aquarium tickets explained

Istanbul Aquarium tickets
  • Your Istanbul Aquarium tickets give you entry to the aquarium and access to all 18 habitat zones. While booking your tickets online, you can choose the time of your visit. 
  • Once inside, explore the aquarium at your own pace. Take part in activities like interacting with starfish at the touch pools and watching a live feeding session.
  • With your Istanbul Aquarium tickets, you can enjoy hassle-free shuttle transfers to and from the aquarium from Sultanahmet and Taksim Square. You have to show the voucher on your mobile phone along with a valid photo ID during the pick-up.
Istanbul Aquarium shuttle service

Your Istanbul Aquarium shuttle service pick-up points:

Sultanahmet

  • Pick-up point: Opos Tours & Travel | Find on map
  • Address: Binbirdirek, At Meydanı Cd No:24, 34122 Fatih/İstanbul, Türkiye.

Taksim

  • Pick-up point: Hop On Hop Off İstanbul | Find on map
  • Address: Gümüşsuyu, Sıraselviler Cd. No:1 kat 3, 34010 Beyoğlu/İstanbul, Türkiye.

Istanbul Aquarium Highlights

Sharks

Come face-to-face with sharks and watch these incredible creatures glide effortlessly through the water, showcasing their strength and beauty. At Istanbul Aquarium, you get the chance to see sand tiger sharks, lemon sharks, sandbar sharks, and reef sharks.

Rays

One of the ocean’s most unique and beautiful creatures, rays are endlessly fascinating. Watch them wing through the water with their wide fins, gracefully swirling and somersaulting. You’ll meet varieties like the Cownose Ray, Common Eagle Ray, and giant freshwater stingrays from the Amazon.

Penguins

Head to the South Pole zone to see the aquarium’s Gentoo Penguins – a crowd favorite. Did you know these short, adorable birds are also the world’s fastest underwater birds? Observe their underwater swimming skills and watch them waddle and play around in their enclosure. It’s a heartwarming and entertaining experience for visitors of all ages!

Amazon rainforest

Find yourself in a dense tropical jungle in the Amazon rainforest habitat. As you meander through this zone, complete with a lush canopy of trees, and tropical temperature and humidity, watch out for vibrantly-colored poison frogs, caiman (of the dwarf variety), capybara, and its most famous inhabitants: the Red-bellied Piranhas!

Observation areas

There are few things more soothing than watching fish glide through the water. At Istanbul Aquarium, you get to do this in front of huge glass viewing panels. Spend some time in the observation areas in the Marmara and Western Atlantic habitats and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the depths of the ocean.

Underwater glass tunnel

Being surrounded by thousands of fish, like groupers, croakers, and seabass, and getting a 360-degree view of the sharks and rays swimming all around and above you is a surreal experience! Take a walk through Istanbul Aquarium’s underwater glass tunnel and experience what it’s like to be at the bottom of the sea.

Touch pools

The touch pools at the Istanbul Aquarium are a big hit, especially with kids. It’s easily one of the most fun spots there! Have a one-of-a-kind experience and interact with starfish and sea urchins, all under the watchful eye of the aquarium’s expert animal carers.

Live feeding sessions

Don’t miss the chance to get up close and personal with the aquarium’s inhabitants during a live feeding session. Every day (except Monday) at 11am, the divers descend into the main tank shared between the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Western Atlantic, and Panama Canal zones to feed the sharks, stingrays, and other animals.

Panoramic 5D cinema

Immerse yourself in a virtual underwater adventure at the aquarium’s 5D cinema. Feel the effects of fog, wind, and water as you recline in your seats and experience the wonders of a magical marine world.

Plan your visit to the Istanbul Aquarium

Visitors exploring marine life exhibits at Istanbul Aquarium.

Timings:

  • Monday to Friday: 10am to 7pm
  • Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 8pm

Duration of visit: 2–3 hours

Istanbul Aquarium opening hours

Address: Şenlikköy, Yeşilköy Halkalı Cd. No:93, 34153 Florya/İstanbul, Türkiye

Find on maps

How to reach Istanbul Aquarium:

Your tickets include shuttle transfers to the aquarium from Sultanahmet and Taksim Square. If you want to get to the aquarium on your own, you can use public transport:

  • By bus: 73B, 73F, 73Y, A42
  • Nearest stop: İstanbul Akvaryum
  • By train: Marmaray, B1
  • Nearest stop: Florya Akvaryum
Woman in wheelchair observing marine life at an aquarium.
  • Istanbul Aquarium is accessible for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility issues. It has ramps and elevators, including disabled elevators, to easily navigate the museum.
  • Parents with small children can bring their strollers inside the aquarium.
Croissant and coffee on a table at a French cafe in Paris.
  • Restroom
  • Cloakroom
  • Prayer room
  • Information desk
  • Cafes
  • Souvenir shop
Two women using a laptop for online shopping.
  • Book your tickets online in advance to avoid standing in ticket queues at the aquarium on the day of your visit. 
  • Plan your aquarium visit for the morning so that you don’t miss the live fish feeding session at 11am.
  • You can take photographs inside the aquarium, however, to protect the marine life, flash photography is not permitted.
  • After you finish exploring all the habitats, have a meal at the aquarium’s restaurant, Kaşıbeyaz Akvaryum. One of its walls is made entirely of glass and gives you a direct view into the aquarium’s Panama Canal tank.
  • Exploring the aquarium involves walking its 1.2-kilometer route, so wear comfortable footwear.
Lamb roast served on a platter with vegetables at a traditional dining experience in [City, Country].
  • Kaşıbeyaz Akvaryum: Enjoy traditional Turkish dishes like roast lamb, grilled meats, and kebabs at Kaşıbeyaz Akvaryum as you watch the fish swim by in the adjacent Panama Canal zone.
  • Emirgan Sütiş Florya: Located next to the aquarium’s Suez Canal habitat, Emirgan Sütiş Florya is a great spot for a traditional Turkish breakfast, accompanied by a cup of traditional Turkish tea and beautiful sea views.
  • FunFondü: Take a break in your aquarium exploration with a quick stop at FunFondü to try desserts and fresh fruit covered in Belgian chocolate.
  • Istanbul Aquarium Cafe: If you want a quick cup of coffee or a snack before exploring the aquarium, head to the aquarium’s coffee shop, which is located near the entrance.

Explore beyond Istanbul Aquarium

Topkapi Palace

Built in the mid-15th century after the conquest of Istanbul, Topkapi Palace served as the Ottoman royal residence and administrative centre for more than 400 years.

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Hagia Sophia

A Byzantine cathedral turned grand mosque, the Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Istanbul’s most iconic historical landmark.

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Bosphorus cruises

Take a scenic tour of Istanbul and its historical landmarks with a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, the historic waterway separating Europe and Asia.

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Frequently asked questions about Istanbul Aquarium tickets

With 18 habitat zones holding more than 15,000 animals, there’s no dearth of marine life to see at Istanbul Aquarium. The main attractions are the sharks, the rays, and the penguins. Don’t miss the Amazon rainforest zone, where you can see piranhas, capybara, and caimans.