Istanbul Aquarium sits beside the Marmara shore inside the Aqua Florya complex—an indoor thematic route of marine habitats paired with a separate shopping-and-dining mall. This guide updates 2026 tickets, hours, transport, feeding sessions, and practical family notes from official sources. Ticket prices can differ between the Turkish and English online shops; always reconfirm on istanbulakvaryum.com before you pay.
Videos are visual context only—they are not ticket or schedule authority.
At a glance (check date: 10 Sep 2026)
| Topic | Current planning note |
|---|---|
| Location | Şenlikköy, Yeşilköy Halkalı Cd. No: 93, Florya — inside / adjacent to Aqua Florya |
| Scale (official) | ~22,000 m² building area; ~1.2 km visitor route; 17 themes + Amazon rainforest; ~64 tanks |
| Animals (official) | ~17,000 animals; ~1,500 species; Gentoo penguins; sharks & rays; Amazon exhibits |
| Tourist online adult / child (2–12) | ₺1,500 / ₺1,350 (EN shop); 0–24 months free |
| TR campaign adult / discounted | ₺1,000 / ₺900 on TR shop (ID categories; campaign end not published) |
| Aquarium hours | Prefer Visiting Hours page: weekdays last entry ~19:00; weekends last entry ~20:00 (FAQ also lists 10:00–20:00—reconfirm) |
| Aqua Florya mall | Daily 10:00–22:00 |
| Public transport | Marmaray Florya Akvaryum station |
The aquarium describes itself as the world’s largest thematic aquarium. Treat that as marketing language from the operator, not an independent ranking.
2026 tickets & packages
Old page figures (adult ₺1,150 / child ₺1,050 and older package totals) are not current. Online tickets are typically valid for one month from purchase. The English shop and Turkish shop publish different price tracks—choose the shop that matches your eligibility and recheck the day you book.
Tourist online shop (EN /buyticket)
| Ticket / package | Adult | Child (2–12) | Includes (as listed) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard entry | ₺1,500 | ₺1,350 | Aquarium entry | 0–24 months free |
| Premium | ₺1,760 | ₺1,640 | Entry + photo + gift-shop 20% | Disc. vs higher regular |
| Silver | ₺1,680 | ₺1,560 | Entry + Giants of the Ocean + gift 20% | |
| Platinum | ₺1,680 | ₺1,560 | Entry + VR + gift 20% | Current package (not on old page) |
| Gold | ₺2,160 | ₺2,040 | Entry + exhibition + VR + gift 20% | |
| Full | ₺2,720 | ₺2,600 | Entry + exhibition + photo + VR + gift 20% |
Turkish online shop (/biletal) — campaign track
| Ticket / package | Price (campaign) | Eligibility / includes | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard adult | ₺1,000 | Entry | Campaign end not published |
| Discounted (2–18, student, teacher, disabled, 65+, veteran) | ₺900 | Entry; ID may be required | 0–24 months free |
| Family 3 / 4 | ₺2,750 / ₺3,600 | Family entry packages | Regular slightly higher on page |
| Premium / Silver / Platinum / Gold / Full | From ~₺1,200–₺2,150 disc. | Photo, Giants of the Ocean, VR combinations | See official TR shop for exact SKUs |
Book Package from older marketing is not listed on current official shops. Helicopter-simulation wording on old pages is superseded by current add-ons (Giants of the Ocean / VR / photo)—buy only what the live shop shows.
Opening hours
| Day / entity | Hours / last entry | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| Aquarium weekdays | Opens 10:00; Visiting Hours page shows last entry ~19:00 | Prefer Visiting Hours over generic FAQ |
| Aquarium weekends | Opens 10:00; last entry ~20:00 | Same |
| FAQ / footer alternative | Some pages still show 10:00–20:00 daily | Reconfirm morning of visit |
| Aqua Florya mall | 10:00–22:00 every day | Mall hours outlast aquarium exit |
Thematic route & highlights
Official themes take visitors from Black Sea / Istanbul waters toward Pacific habitats, plus a separate Amazon Rainforest section (~1,000 m²). Named zones include Aegean, Red Sea, Mediterranean, Panama, South Pole, North Pole, Nautilus, and more—see the aquarium Themes page for the live map.
| Experience | What official sources support | Practical note |
|---|---|---|
| South Pole / penguins | Gentoo penguins | Popular with families; allow photo time |
| Amazon rainforest | Piranha, dwarf caiman, poison frogs (Creatures) | Warm, humid zone—pace kids |
| Panama / Atlantic | Nurse shark & ray feeding; sand tiger feeding days | Arrive before listed times |
| Acrylic / tunnel views | Large acrylic systems (operator materials) | Low light for photos |
Feeding sessions (official)
| Program | Area | When | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse shark & ray feeding | Panama Canal | Daily except Monday | 11:00 |
| Sand tiger shark feeding | Western Atlantic | Wednesday & Sunday | 14:30 |
Schedules can change for animal welfare—confirm on the official feeding page or on-site boards.
How to get there
| Starting point | Practical route | Note |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburbs on Marmaray | Ride to Florya Akvaryum | Station named for the aquarium; follow signed exits |
| Taksim / European side | Public buses such as 73B / 73F / 73Y (official visitor pages) or private car | Do not rely on unpublished aquarium shuttle clocks |
| Historic peninsula | Marmaray transfers or private chauffeur | Allow traffic buffer |
| IST / SAW airports | Private transfer to Florya / Aqua Florya | No official door-to-door minutes published |
Complimentary Hop-on Hop-off
Official pages still advertise a free Hop-on Hop-off visitor service for eligible ticket holders, but exact Taksim / Sultanahmet / Sirkeci departure times are not published on the visitor-service pages checked on 10 Sep 2026. Do not plan around older 10:00–13:00 / 17:00 grids. Call 444 9 744 or ask when buying if you need the shuttle.
For a fixed pickup, book Istanbul airport transfer, car with driver, or hourly / daily chauffeur. Cab Istanbul provides transport only—it does not sell aquarium tickets.
Family visit tips
- Buy online to skip box-office uncertainty; keep QR/ID ready for discounted categories.
- Weekday openings are calmer than weekend afternoons.
- Build the day around one feeding time, then penguins + Amazon.
- Mall hours run later—save shopping/meals for after exit.
- Personal photos are commonly taken by visitors; paid green-screen photo products are sold separately. Tripods/pro shoots may need permission—ask staff.
- Discounted disability tickets exist on the TR shop; detailed wheelchair maps were not published on the FAQ pages checked—contact the aquarium for mobility planning.
Aqua Florya shopping & dining
Istanbul Aquarium and Aqua Florya Shopping Mall are related but distinct: the mall stays open until 22:00 for retail and food after aquarium exit.
| Venue type | Examples / status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Inside aquarium food | Operator lists café options such as Kaşıbeyaz Akvaryum, Emirgan Sütiş, Fundondü | Confirm live tenants on site |
| Inside Aqua Florya mall | Current food directory includes multiple casual/dining brands (check aquaflorya.com stores) | Not the same as nearby Florya street restaurants |
| Nearby Florya (not mall tenants) | Older guides named Beyti, Develi, Şazeli, İBB Florya Sosyal Tesis, etc. | Treat as area dining, not “inside Aqua Florya” |
Other aquariums in Istanbul
- SEA LIFE Istanbul (Forum Istanbul) — permanently closed from 1 January 2025; do not plan a visit.
- ViaSea Aquarium (Tuzla) — still operating as a separate Asian-side venue.
FAQs
Where is Istanbul Aquarium?
At Şenlikköy, Yeşilköy Halkalı Cd. No: 93, Florya/İstanbul, within the Aqua Florya complex on the Marmara side.
How much are tickets in 2026?
On the English online shop (10 Sep 2026): adult ₺1,500 and child (2–12) ₺1,350. The Turkish shop shows campaign adult ₺1,000 and discounted ₺900 for eligible categories. Packages add photo/VR/exhibition options. Recheck the live shop.
Are tickets cheaper online?
Official shops publish discounted package prices versus higher “regular” figures. Exact box-office vs online gaps are not always listed separately—buy from the official site and keep confirmation ready.
What ages are free?
Official shops state ages 0–24 months free. Child ticket age bands differ by shop (EN 2–12; TR discounted categories often include broader student/age bands with ID).
Is there still a free shuttle?
A complimentary Hop-on Hop-off service is still advertised, but current official pages do not publish the old Taksim/Sultanahmet/Sirkeci timetable. Confirm eligibility and times with the aquarium before relying on it.
How do I get there by Marmaray?
Alight at Florya Akvaryum station and follow signs to the aquarium/mall complex.
When are shark feedings?
Official schedule: nurse shark & rays daily except Monday at 11:00 (Panama Canal); sand tiger Wed & Sun at 14:30 (Western Atlantic).
Are there penguins?
Yes—official pages feature Gentoo penguins in the South Pole theme.
Is SEA LIFE Istanbul still open?
No. SEA LIFE at Forum Istanbul closed permanently in January 2025. ViaSea in Tuzla remains a separate operating aquarium.
Can Cab Istanbul book my aquarium tickets?
No. Cab Istanbul only provides private ground transport to Florya / Aqua Florya. Buy tickets from the official aquarium channels.
Plan the day
Ride Marmaray to Florya Akvaryum or book a timed private transfer, buy the correct online ticket track, aim for a feeding window, then use Aqua Florya’s later mall hours for food and shopping. For door-to-door logistics from IST, SAW, or hotels, use chauffeur booking or airport transfer—separate from your aquarium ticket.