Florya Aquarium Istanbul, located in Florya district, could be called a modern landmark of Istanbul. Due to its size, design and diversity of inhabitants, it has become one of the largest and most beautiful artificial reservoirs in the world.

Since it is located in the Aqua Florya shopping and entertainment center, there is a double reason for visiting it, in order to combine two pleasures at once, as they say, and “to eat a fish” (in our case, to see), and go shopping.

What is Istanbul Aquarium

Since the project was grandiose from the very beginning, and the building was supposed to occupy two floors at once, its construction continued from 2003 to 2011. As a result, a 22,000 sq. meters were occupied, where the site with thematic zones takes 6,000 sq. meters.

The Istanbul Aquarium is located in the Florya district on the coast of the Sea of Marmara, 7 km from Ataturk Airport, which has stopped accepting passengers since 2019.

In addition to Aquarium complex, there are a covered parking, an outdoor amphitheater with a capacity of 900 people, and 11 cinemas for 1280 people.

There are also exhibition areas, walking areas and an open market, where a huge variety of brands and a variety of goods are presented. And when you decide to take a break from impressions and have a bite to eat, there are several cafes at your service with a menu that allows you to eat heartily or order some sweets with your favorite drink.

Walking through the aquarium is reminiscent of the adventures of Captain Nemo, the incredible odyssey of Robinson Crusoe. The route stretches for 1.2 kilometers, which consists of 17 locations with different themes of the water world and one tropical forest, displaying the living world from the Black Sea to the Pacific Ocean.

To make the stay in such a beautiful place realistic, not only geographical and architectural features of the area were used, but also historical and cultural ones. This was helped by decorative elements, visual graphics, sound design and visual effects.

To find yourself in a tropical forest, you do not need to equip an expedition, because it is enough to go to the Istanbul Aquarium. Almost real Amazonian jungle stretches on its territory. In any case, the humidity, temperature and its inhabitants exactly match the original habitat.

There are cute colorful and tiny, but very poisonous frogs; the smallest caimans in the world; insatiable sharks and malevolent piranhas; dangerous anacondas – the largest snakes in the world; as well as outlandish colorful fish of all stripes and shapes.

Florya Aquarium deserves to be called the “Best Oceanarium in Istanbul“, because here it is not only interesting to see the inhabitants of the water world, collected from different parts of the world, but also to get useful knowledge about them. For preschoolers, schoolchildren and teachers, student materials have been developed that are easy to download directly from the official page.

Other popular aquarium in Istanbul is Sea Life in the Bayrampaşa district. That covers an area of 55,000 sq. meters, on which there are about 10,000 diverse inhabitants and the largest collection of sharks in the world (more than 60). It will be quite interesting to visit each of them and compare.
Sea Life Aquarium address: Kocatepe, Paşa Cd, 34045 Bayrampaşa/İstanbul, Turkey

Who lives in the Florya Aquarium

Florya Istanbul Akvaryum has something to boast about – about 1,500 various species and 15,000 waterfowl and land creatures, including:

• Lemon shark is the largest inhabitant of local waters. It is assigned a separate and main tank, which has enough space for it to swim. And it always swims, because it never sleeps, because during the stop, its gills will stop saturating the body with oxygen, and this is certain death. Just imagine that for 25 years of his life, a shark is constantly on the move, without closing the eyes for a minute!
• Red-bellied piranhas are bloodthirsty predators that hunt in packs and are able to smell a drop of blood in the water at a distance of 2 km.
• Clownfish is a bright and nimble fish that everyone knows from the cartoon “Finding Nemo”. It loves to play and hide in the midst of sea anemones – very beautiful, but terribly poisonous coral polyps. Once touched, they release venom as a defense. Since the clown fish is insensitive to their poison, such a neighborhood is very beneficial for it, because while it is surrounded by anemones, the enemy will not be able to approach it. That is why the parents of the fish Nemo insisted that he did not leave the limits of their habitat.
• Russian sturgeon is a resident of the Black Sea, which feels very good in the Istanbul Aquarium. This is a rare species that lived in the era of dinosaurs. It has strong bone scales and a skeleton of bones and cartilage, and its black caviar is very valuable.
• Stone fish native to the Pacific Ocean also took root in the environment created for it. Its length is not more than 40 cm, and its weight is about 2 kg. It is one of the most poisonous inhabitants of the deep. It does not attack itself, but can defend itself by releasing spiky fins with poison. Interestingly, if a stone fish is pulled out onto land, it can live up to 24 hours without water.
• A perch that can change its gender during its life is a rather unusual ability for a fish, and therefore the specimen is very entertaining.
• Pufferfish have a reputation for being dangerous. It scares away the enemies, swelling in size, becoming like a ball. If this does not help, poison is used. It grows up to 50 cm and lives up to 10 years.
• Gentoo penguins are native to the South Pole of the Earth. These waterfowl are called “the most romantic animals in the world.” When males choose a female as a companion, they give her beautiful pebbles, finding them on the coast. If another male has laid eyes on the same pebble, a serious quarrel may flare up. It is not surprising, because you can’t go to a lady’s heart without a worthy gift, and whoever has it better will receive love forever as a reward.
• Anaconda 2.5 meters is on the list of especially dangerous all over the world, and you can see it either in its natural habitat or by visiting the Istanbul Aquarium.

In one place, a variety of representatives of flora and fauna are collected, from very cute to unusual, as well as creatures from horror films. Surely among them there will be those whom they did not even know about.

Florya Aquarium Istanbul walk plan

What entertainment does Floria Aquarium offer?

For fans of extreme sports and those who prefer not to watch, but to have an active rest, the Istanbul Aquarium offers a number of activities that will definitely be remembered for a lifetime.

Diving with sharks at the Istanbul Aquarium. There are more than 20 species of this bloodthirsty fish from different parts of the world, and you have a unique opportunity to swim next to them. To do this, visitors must be over 14 years old, they must be able to swim, and at least a day must pass after the flight.

To begin with, there is a 1.5-hour training, which includes theory on the basics of diving, a lesson in putting on equipment and a training dive. All equipment is provided on site.

Then the most interesting – diving to the sharks, accompanied by an instructor and the passage of the planned route. Upon completion, swimmers are awarded a USB flash drive with a record of the dive and a personalized certificate “Diving at the Istanbul Aquarium”.

The cost of diving with sharks is 750 lire.

Registration for the event 2 days before the planned dive until 12:00 and making a payment to the account provided.

Reservations are made by phone: 444 97 44 or email: [email protected]

Feeding the inhabitants of the aquarium. The distribution of food here has been turned into an exciting process and those who wish can see this stunning sight. Sessions are held daily.

• To see rays, basking and nurse sharks, and other aquatic creatures eating, you need to be in front of the Panama Tunnel next to the main aquarium at 10:30 (except Mondays).
• Sand tiger shark feeding sessions are held on Wednesdays and Sundays at 2:30 pm in front of the main Western Atlantic panel.
• Caiman crocodile feeding takes place on Saturdays in the rainforest section of the Istanbul Aquarium. Start at 16:00.

Flight simulator in a helicopter in a mini 5D cinema with 28 seats. Visitors are given VR glasses, and the flight effect is created by special effects – wind, tilts and turns, noise and light phenomena.

Diving courses. They are conducted by instructors in accordance with CMAS standards, and at the end each participant receives a diver’s certificate. To take part in the classes, you must be able to swim and a certificate from a doctor that scuba diving is not contraindicated for you. You can get it right there on the spot after inspection.

The course includes theory (12 hours), a lesson in the pool, and then a dive in the open sea. Groups are formed from 6 people. Classes are held in Turkish, English, French and German.

All the necessary equipment is given in the classroom and is included in the total cost – 1700 lire + VAT.

Meal in front of the aquarium. If you have an important event (business meeting, wedding, birthday, etc.), you can book a hall or a table in the tunnel. For more information and booking contact: 444 9 744 or write on [email protected]

Photosessions. Memory is good, but digital media will store memories and impressions much more reliably, and besides, photos and videos can be shown to friends. Professional studio masters offering the quality of MG Photography are at your service.

Gifts and souvenirs. They can be found in the gift shop, which covers an area of 470 square meters. There is a huge selection, ranging from small knick-knacks: magnets, toys, dishes, printed materials and much more, so picking up a beautiful memo is not difficult.

Ticket prices for Istanbul Akvaryum

How much are tickets to the aquarium in Istanbul

Children under 2 years of age – admission is free.
For children under 12 years, disabled people, pensioners over 65 years old and students – 450 lira.
Ticket for adults – 500 lira.
You can buy ticket pass here

Tickets for the Istanbul Aquarium can be bought at the box office or online. With a virtual purchase, you will have to register on the site, but the procedure is very simple. The entrance ticket is valid for a month from the date of purchase.

The digital version will be sent to the email address you provide during checkout. There is no need to print it, just show it on your mobile phone or tablet.

There are also interesting offers on tickets, see the information on the official website.

Excursions to Aqua Floria

Since the Istanbul Aquarium has become part of the Istanbul stay program, travel agencies always offer excursions to visit it. Some excursions.

For few hours you can admire the huge and majestic sharks, see stingrays, piranhas and other marine life of the local fauna.

In the 5D cinema, immerse yourself in the realistic world of nature with the help of special effects (fog, wind, water…). You will walk through the mirror maze and the rainforest. There is also a break for a meal in the restaurant of the Aqua Florya shopping center and a 4-hour shopping trip.

Such excursions are offered by different agencies and private guides, but in all cases the program is almost the same, except that it can be compressed in time or more expanded. The Tiqets website offer two kind of expursions to Florya Aquarium Istanbul

How to get to Istanbul Aquarium

To get to the Istanbul Aquarium, you can use several options:

1) Taking the Marmaray train is the most convenient option. It connects with the Istanbul metro station Marmaray Yenikapı İstasyonu on the M1A, M1B and M2 branches. Get off at Florya Akvaryum stop. The journey will take 25 minutes (8 stops). From the stop to the destination, you will have to walk about 650 meters.

2) At the Yenibosna metro station, change to the 73Y IETT bus and go to the Istanbul Aquarium stop.

3) There are bus stops near the aquarium: 73B, 73F, 73Y, A42, BN1.

4) Metrobus Beşyol stop + Florya Istanbul Aquarium minibus terminus.

Free buses also run to the Floria Aquarium. Please note that in order to board them, you will first have to show the driver a pass to the water park.

Transport departs from Taksim and Sultanahmet squares every hour from 100:00 to 13:00.
Boarding the bus to Taksim takes place near the Cultural Center. Ataturk.

From Sultanahmet, transport goes from the Alembar quarter from Divan Yolu street, 48/5.

From Sirkeci, transport also goes every hour, but from 10:20 to 13:20.
Departure of the bus from the Sirkeci T1 tram stop in front of the Marmaray Sirkeci İstasyonu station.

Buses depart back to the city from the aquarium at 17:00.
The journey to the destination takes 60 minutes.

Schedule of departure of free buses to the aquarium:

What to see next to Floria Aquarium

Not far from the aquarium, there are several more places that you will probably be interested in:

Flory Coast Park attracts with well-groomed lawns and silence, conducive to relaxation after the bustle of Istanbul. Here you can sit down and have a bite to eat without haste, enjoying a juicy kebab or ice cream. The territory is well-groomed, there is a cafe to choose from, playgrounds, a beautiful view of the Marmara Sea, where it is pleasant to watch the sunset.

Further along the coast is an extensive beach with sun loungers, umbrellas, toilets and showers, cafes, close parking for bicycles and cars. Entrance to the beach – 25 lira.

Florya Atatürk forest dominated by pine trees. This is a large landscaped area with playgrounds, cafes, toilets for 1 lira. In the warm season, you can simply sit on the grass and have a picnic. But drinking alcoholic beverages is prohibited. On the territory of the forest park right off the coast stands the Florya Ataturk Marine Mansion, built in 1935 for the leader of the country. Today, everyone can visit it by buying a ticket for 20 lire. Its opening hours are 09:00–17:00.

Florya lunapark is located on the other side of the aquarium at Yeşilköy Halkalı Cd., 34149. This is a small but fun amusement park with attractions at low prices.

Florya Çocuk Parkı (Children’s Park Florya) is located next to the amusement park closer to the coast. Bicycle paths, playgrounds, shady alleys with benches, fountains and flower beds – everything you need to relax in the summer heat.

Floria Aquarium opening hours

Florya Aquarium in Istanbul receives visitors from 10:00-19:00.

Floria shopping center is open 10:00-22:00.

Contact Aquarium Floria

Address: Şenlikköy Mahallesi Yesilköy Halkalı Cad. No: 93 Floria-Istanbul.
Booking by phone: 444 97 44.
Fax: 0212 574 21 35.
Email: [email protected]

Pages in social networks:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/istanbulakvaryum
Twitter: https://twitter.com/istakvaryum
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3SG_xn1WOFexeghEKIukHw
Aqua Florya official website: https://www.aquaflorya.com/tr
Floria Aquarium official website: https://www.istanbulakvaryum.com/tr/kurumsal/istanbul-akvaryum

Summary

Although the Florya Aquarium in Istanbul is not one of the largest aquariums in the world, it still impresses with its size and organization of zones.

And if you have not been to similar establishments in Singapore, Spain, Japan or Dubai, you will be amazed by the scale of the man-made reservoir.

Everything is amazing here – both the splendor of the animal world, and human capabilities to create something incredible within the boundaries of a modern city.

Words cannot convey the emotions that you experience surrounded by the water element, you must see it for yourself.