Istanbul Akvaryum

The Florya aquarium opened in April 2011, a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and is organised as a journey rather than a series of tanks - sixteen themed zones and a rainforest across 66 tanks holding some 7,000 cubic metres of water: the route runs from the Black Sea through the Bosphorus, the Aegean, the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, with each zone's fish, lighting and set-dressing built to match, and a tropical rainforest section with birds, reptiles and a mist system at the end. There is a long acrylic tunnel through the largest tank with sharks and rays overhead, and touch pools for children. It is a commercial attraction squarely aimed at families, and it does that job well - its two floors cover some 22,000 square metres, and it is the standard wet-weather or school-holiday option for Istanbul parents. It sits on the Marmara coast at Florya, well west of the centre but easy to reach on the coastal rail line, and it works best paired with the shore walk there.

What to look for

• The sea-by-sea route - Black Sea through to the Pacific.
• The shark tunnel - the acrylic passage through the main tank.
• The rainforest section - birds, reptiles and mist at the end.
• The touch pools - the hands-on tanks for children.

When to go

Year-round; it is indoors and the obvious choice in rain or heat. Weekday mornings during term time are quietest; school holidays and weekends are packed.

Good to know

It is a commercial family attraction with a ticket price to match, and it is heavily themed rather than scientific. Far from the historic centre - budget the travel. Very crowded at weekends.

Nearby

The Florya shore and Menekşe beach are alongside; the airport road runs past.

Key facts