Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction. This is not the venue's website.
Inclusions
Exclusions
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.
Your Istanbul Aquarium shuttle service pick-up points:
Sultanahmet
Taksim
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Timings:
Duration of visit: 2–3 hours
Istanbul Aquarium opening hoursAddress: Şenlikköy, Yeşilköy Halkalı Cd. No:93, 34153 Florya/İstanbul, Türkiye
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:
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.
A Byzantine cathedral turned grand mosque, the Hagia Sophia is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Istanbul’s most iconic historical landmark.
Take a scenic tour of Istanbul and its historical landmarks with a cruise on the Bosphorus Strait, the historic waterway separating Europe and Asia.
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.
Live fish feeding sessions are held every day (except Monday) from 11am, which you should not miss! It’s a rare opportunity to watch the aquarium’s divers feed the various sharks, stingrays, groupers, and other fish.
Yes, the aquarium is accessible for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility issues. It is equipped with elevators, including designated disabled elevators, and ramps, to ensure a comfortable experience.
Children under the age of 2 years can get free admission to the aquarium. Make sure to bring proper ID cards with you to take advantage of any discounts.
Yes, the aquarium has an on-site restaurant, a couple of charming cafes, and food kiosks. The restaurant, in particular, is a popular spot, not just due to its excellent food but also because it shares a glass wall with one of the aquarium tanks, giving diners a lovely view of the fish inside. There is also a souvenir shop near the entrance where you can buy gifts and aquarium merchandise.
Yes, the aquarium has a large parking lot with space for over 1,000 vehicles. Since it is located at the Aqua Florya mall, parking spaces are available in its parking area as well.
Yes, you can take photos and videos of the animals inside the aquarium. However, to ensure the safety and comfort of the sea creatures, flash photography is not permitted.
Weekends tend to be the busiest, so visit on a weekday morning or afternoon for a quieter experience.
Yes, there are multiple restrooms, including wheelchair-accessible restrooms, located at various points in the aquarium for your convenience.
Pets are not allowed inside Istanbul Aquarium.
With its multiple zones and a plethora of animals to see, you will need at least 2-3 hours to fully explore the aquarium.
You can keep your coats and small personal items at the aquarium’s cloakroom.
