Opened in 2011, the Istanbul Aquarium is one of the largest thematic aquariums in the world.
Themed exhibits painstakingly mimic the natural habitats of marine animals from the Bosphorus to the Pacific, providing visitors with an immersive experience in the aquarium.
Home to around 17000 sea creatures from across 1500 species, the aquarium follows a 1.2 km (0.7 mile) geographical route to take you deep into the marine world without soaking yourself!
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets to the Istanbul Aquarium.
Top Istanbul Aquarium Tickets
Table of contents
- What to expect at Florya Aquarium Istanbul
- Where to book tickets
- How do online tickets work
- Istanbul Aquarium ticket price
- Istanbul Aquarium tickets
- How to reach Istanbul Aquarium
- Opening hours of Istanbul Aquarium
- How long does the tour take
- Best time to visit Aquarium in Istanbul
- Istanbul Aquarium reviews
- FAQs about Aquarium Istanbul
What to expect at Florya Aquarium Istanbul
Embark upon a voyage with thousands of fascinating marine creatures spread over 16 elaborate thematic setups from the Pacific to the Black Sea.
Equipped with water tunnels, elaborate displays, interactive pools, and cutting-edge technology, a walk through the aquarium feels like living through an oceanic Planet Earth episode.
Admire the colorful coral reefs, take in live performances that showcase the intelligence of aquatic life, and learn about the aquarium’s conservation initiatives.
You can witness the 17 distinct ocean habitats and rainforests while searching for sharks, balloon fish, piranhas, penguins, clownfish, and many other amazing aquatic creatures.
Indulge in interactive games and a trip to the 5D cinema for a multi-sensory immersive experience about the teeming ocean life.
Where to book tickets
You can buy tickets for Florya Aquarium Istanbul online in advance or at the venue.
Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the aquarium.
When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.
When you book early, you also get your preferred time slot.
Because some attractions sell a limited number of tickets, during peak days they may sell out. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.
How do online tickets work
Visit the Istanbul Aquarium ticket booking page, select the preferred date, time slot, and number of tickets, and buy the tickets immediately.
Once you purchase the Aquarium Istanbul tickets, they get delivered to your email address.
There is no need to get printouts of the ticket.
Show the e-ticket on your smartphone at the entrance and enter the aquarium. Please carry a valid ID with you.
Istanbul Aquarium ticket price
The entry ticket for Istanbul Aquarium with free shuttle service costs ₺743 (€22) per person.
Istanbul Aquarium tickets
This skip-the-line ticket allows you to access all the exhibits of the Istanbul Aquarium on a self-guided tour.
You’ll have access to a shuttle service that will take you from the pick-up point in Taksim to Istanbul Aquarium, and vice versa, covering a distance of about 22.5 km (14 miles).
You can sit back and enjoy without worrying about transport to the attraction.
However, hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included in the ticket.
Ticket Price: ₺743 (€22)
Save time and money! Reserve a 2-, 3-, 5-, or 7-day E-Pass, and use an easy and affordable method to explore Istanbul’s most popular sites. The pass gives you access to over 40 popular Istanbul attractions and guided tours at a highly discounted price of €129. Select from various attractions, such as the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Basilica Cistern, and Grand Bazaar tour, in addition to Bosphorus cruises.
How to reach Istanbul Aquarium
The Istanbul Aquarium is located on the European side of the city, in the historic Florya district, along the coast of the Marmara Sea.
Address: Şenlikköy, Yeşilköy Halkalı Cd. No:93, 34153 Florya/İstanbul, Türkiye. Get Directions.
You can reach the attraction by public or private transport.
By Bus
You can take bus lines 73F, 73B, 73Y, or BN1 towards the aquarium and get off at Istanbul Akvaryum bus station. It‘s just a minute’s walk away from the attraction.
By Train
Take the Gebze Halkalı suburban line and get down at Florya Akvaryum station. It takes 5 minutes to reach the aquarium.
By Minibus
Exit the Metrobus at the “Beşyol” station, then cross the bridge towards Avcılar. Aqua Florya can be reached by Florya-Metrobus minibuses that cross the Metrobus bridge. You will arrive at Istanbul Aquarium bus station, from where the aquarium is just a 3-minute walk away.
By Car
If you’re traveling by car, turn on your Google Maps and get started.
On-site parking space is available at the Istanbul Aquarium.
Opening hours of Istanbul Aquarium
The Aquarium in Istanbul is open every day of the week.
On weekdays, it is open from 10 am to 7 pm, while on weekends, the opening hours change to 10 am to 8 pm.
The last entry is an hour before the closing time.
How long does the tour take
A visit to the Istanbul Aquarium takes 2 to 3 hours.
It takes an average of 2 hours to thoroughly tour the aquarium and participate in the rides and interactive activities.
On the other hand, tour packages that include the aquarium and the 5D Helicopter Tour last 4 hours.
Best time to visit Aquarium in Istanbul
The best time to visit the Istanbul Aquarium during the day is between 10 am and 12 pm.
This time frame allows you to make the most of your exploration and avoid greater crowds, guaranteeing a more enjoyable and immersive visit to the aquarium.
Istanbul Aquarium reviews
Istanbul Aquarium is a highly-rated tourist attraction.
Check out two Istanbul Aquarium reviews we selected from Tripadvisor, which give you an idea of what to expect at this attraction:
Breathtaking
Perfect place to be with someone you love. Lot of perfect animals and spots to enjoy and take wonderful photos. Very good staff and polite. We ate strawberries with chocolate, and they were unbelievable. We will come again, that is sure.
Recommended
Nice aquarium and lots of interesting information. The children especially liked the ship, where you can play and try everything, and the ice block. Great place for all. Easy to get to, close to subway and shopping center.
FAQs about Aquarium Istanbul
Here are a few frequently asked questions about the Florya Aquarium:
Tickets to the Istanbul Aquarium can be brought online and at the venue. However, since the aquarium is a popular attraction, we recommend buying tickets online to save yourself from the hassle of queues.
Yes, highly trained professionals maintain the fish tanks, and the marine animals are treated to the best of standards.
Yes, the aquarium is accessible to wheelchair users.
Yes, there are activities such as fish feeding sessions and diving that you can participate in at the aquarium.
The online tickets can be used for a period of one month from the date of purchase.
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