Where it is
Istanbul Aquarium sits on the Marmara coast in Florya, a quiet residential neighbourhood of Bakırköy on the European side. It shares a complex with the Aqua Florya shopping mall. The historic centre (Sultanahmet, Sirkeci) is about 25 km east; Taksim is about 28 km; Istanbul Airport is about 45 km north; Sabiha Gökçen Airport is about 60 km away on the Asian side.
Official address: Şenlikköy Mah. Yeşilköy Halkalı Cad. No:93, Bakırköy, Istanbul. Sales line: 444 97 44.
By Marmaray (recommended from Sultanahmet and Sirkeci)
The Marmaray is the suburban railway that runs under the Bosphorus and along the European coast. Its Florya Akvaryum station is named for the aquarium and is a few minutes' walk from the entrance.
- From Sultanahmet, walk or take the T1 tram one stop to Sirkeci. The Marmaray station is underground next to the tram stop.
- Take any train in the Halkalı direction (westbound). Do not board trains towards Gebze; those cross to Asia.
- Get off at Florya Akvaryum, roughly 35–40 minutes and about 15 stops later. Yeşilköy is the stop before it, Florya the stop after.
- Leave the station towards the sea; the aquarium and mall complex is straight ahead.
Fares are paid with an Istanbulkart, which you can buy and top up at the machines in any Marmaray or metro station; contactless bank cards also work at the gates. Trains run about every 8–15 minutes from early morning to around midnight.
From Taksim, take the M2 metro to Yenikapı and change to the Marmaray westbound, about 50–60 minutes in total. From Kadıköy or Üsküdar on the Asian side, board the Marmaray at Ayrılık Çeşmesi or Üsküdar and stay on through the tunnel; no change is needed.
By bus
The official site lists these lines. Check the IETT app or Google Maps on the day, since routes change.
| Line | Route |
|---|---|
| 73F | Taksim – Florya (the direct option from Taksim, about an hour) |
| 73B | Bakırköy – Florya (connects with M1 metro at Bakırköy) |
| 73Y | Kuyumcukent – İstanbul Akvaryum |
| BN1 | Halkalı – Eminönü, via the Bakırköy ferry pier |
From the Metrobüs, get off at Beşyol and take the Florya minibus, which terminates at the aquarium.
By taxi or ride-hailing
The coastal road (Kennedy Caddesi / Sahil Yolu) runs from Sultanahmet straight to Florya and is the pleasant way to arrive: 30–45 minutes outside rush hour from either Sultanahmet or Taksim. Fares are metered; ask for "Florya, İstanbul Akvaryum" or show the address. Friday afternoons and weekend evenings on the coastal road can add another 30 minutes. Uber operates in Istanbul through licensed taxis, which is useful for getting the correct meter fare.
Shuttle bundles
If you would rather not manage trains and taxis, our tickets page has bundles that include a round-trip shuttle from Sultanahmet or from Taksim, and a hotel pick-up option for the central districts. They cost a few euros more than the entry ticket and are the sensible choice with a stroller, with older relatives, or with a tight schedule. See tickets and prices.
By car
Follow the coastal road (D-100 / Sahil Yolu) west from the centre and take the Florya exit; the complex has its own paid car park, which the aquarium quotes at around 1,200 spaces, shared with the mall. On weekend afternoons the car park fills; arrive before noon.
Coming from the airports
Both airports are covered on a separate page with times, costs and the transfer options that make sense with luggage: from Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is Istanbul Aquarium?+
Şenlikköy Mah. Yeşilköy Halkalı Cad. No:93, Florya, in the Bakırköy district on the European side, on the Marmara Sea coast next to the Aqua Florya shopping mall and close to the former Atatürk Airport.
Which Marmaray station is it?+
Florya Akvaryum, on the Marmaray line between Yeşilköy and Florya. From Sirkeci (for Sultanahmet) it is a direct train towards Halkalı, roughly 35 to 40 minutes.
Is there a metro to Istanbul Aquarium?+
Not directly. The M1 metro reaches Şirinevler or Bakırköy, from where buses 73B or 73F continue to Florya. The Marmaray suburban train is the practical rail option because its Florya Akvaryum station is at the aquarium.
How much is a taxi from Sultanahmet or Taksim?+
Roughly 30 to 45 minutes outside rush hour from either area, along the coastal road. Expect a meter fare in the region of a mid-priced meal for two; traffic on Friday afternoons and weekend evenings can double the time.
Is there parking?+
Yes. The complex has a large car park (the aquarium quotes capacity for around 1,200 vehicles) shared with the mall; parking is paid.
Keep planning
Aquarium Florya is an independent visitor guide. It is not the official website of İstanbul Akvaryum; official information and gate tickets are at istanbulakvaryum.com. istanbulakvaryum.com · Türkçe