Antalya Aquarium in Turkey – A Fairytale Ranked Among the Top Five!

What resort is complete without a visit to an aquarium? Whether you’re in Thailand, or Turkey, you’ll find such attractions everywhere. Some are smaller, some larger, but Antalya boasts an aquarium ranked among the top three in size. Think you’ve seen them all? Let’s find out!

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Attraction Information

Address: Antalya Aquarium, Aydın Doğan Blvd, Kepez, Antalya, Turkey

Working Hours: Approximately 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (hours may vary seasonally and on public holidays)

Ticket Price: Approximately 120 TL for adults and 80 TL for children (prices may vary during peak seasons and promotions)

Photo Allowed? Yes

Historical Info: Opened in 2010, Antalya Aquarium is a modern attraction designed to showcase a diverse range of marine ecosystems; it is recognized as one of the largest tunnel aquariums in the world and has become an important part of Antalya’s tourism landscape

Guide / Excursion Info: On-site audio guides and guided tours are available in multiple languages; group tours can also be arranged through local travel agencies

Recommended Visit Time: 2–3 hours is ideal to fully experience the extensive exhibits and immersive underwater tunnel experience

Accessibility: Yes

Parking Availability: Yes

Public Transport Options: Easily accessible via local bus routes and taxis; many hotels in Antalya also offer shuttle services to the attraction

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Reviews

PrimeCandi - Rate: 1

THEY DON’T OFFER REFUNDS – SAVE YOUR MONEY AND TIME! Absolutely terrible experience. For the outrageous price of ~£75 (which could get you tickets for 3-4 far better aquariums in central London), this place delivers nothing but disappointment. They don’t have: • Challenger • Scorpion fish • Ornate wrasse • STARFISH! • Blue crabs • I only noticed 1 BIG SHARK! For a so-called “aquarium,” the variety of marine life is laughable. It’s a complete rip-off. This experience was worse than visiting aquariums in many third-world countries. To make matters worse, they don’t offer refunds, so you’re stuck throwing your hard-earned money away for something that fails to meet even the most basic expectations. My girlfriend and I left feeling utterly disappointed and with our moods ruined. Avoid at all costs!

Tereza Benáková - Rate: 5

Amazing experience🩵🐡🪼 It could take us about 2 hours or more to see the whole exposition, to stop everywhere and enjoy everything (2 adults no kids). There is really a lot to see! Unfortunately we were here with the tour and had only less than one and half hour and it was definitely not enough, so count with more time spent here☺️

Catalin Prata - Rate: 3

Went there with my family and bought tickets for full visits (Aquarium & Snow World & WildPark & Face2Face & XD Cinema). This was around 80Euro/person in total. The low stars (3) were because of the overprice. Even if the sum of the stuff you can visit looks a lot, the snow and the cinema plus the wild park are rather small, nothing huge/large to see. (worth mentioning that we went to Valencia, Viena, Budapest and Lisbon before-zoos and aquariums-) The Aquarium tunnel is definitely the longest one we've seen and it is nice to visit, inside you can see various species of fish and you can spend around 1h if you thoroughly inspect all the aquariums. The nice touch is that you can feed the Koi fish and sting rays for some fee(I would say that one is decent and worth the money). Another nice touch is that you can see some real ships or a plane inside the tanks. The glass in most places is clean but there are also scratches on some other parts(due to poor manors of the tourists). The water in some tanks was a bit foggy, maybe because they recently cleaned the aquariums(?). The complex with the aquarium itself is nice and worth visiting but besides the ships and the long tunnel you can't find anything special that deserves the huge amount of money they ask per person. The snow chamber is a nice touch, nothing big, just a room with some snow and some ice, some interesting constructions in ice but also a lot of constructions built from some synthetic material imitating ice/snow. You receive some clothes there so no worries, you won't freeze to death :P. It is quite refreshing to do a walk in there. The wax statues site has quite a bunch of statues of a handful of celebrities and it is interesting to see if it is the first you are seeing, if not then you might walk through it quite quickly. Some of the statues look pretty real others not that much because the characters look a bit younger than in real life (and I am not comparing them to the old/current age of the personalities obviously). So you need around 15-30 mins here depending on how fast you want to go through the scene. The 4d movie is around 15 mins if not less and presents the aquarium complex. I would say it would be nicer to visit it after you visited the rest so you can make an overview of the visit at the end but that is just my thought :). The wild park section is actually a bigger room with aquariums with lizards, snakes and some spiders. It is nice to see but again it doesn't justify the huge price. They have restrooms at the entrance before you get into the scenes and also in the Aquarium. There are also shops for gifts and places where you can buy drinks and ice cream(at least the ice cream has a fair price). Very near there are parking lots, we went there by mini bus and that parking lot looked rather full, not sure if it was the only place or it is bigger. Bottom line, if you really want to see as much aquariums as you can in the world, then go ahead and pay the money, if not and if this is not the only one you visited and you look for fish diversity then this is too expensive for what it offers. It is a great place to visit but for a much lower fee. We will definitely not going back anytime soon if the prices are staying the same.

Jacob Isaac - Rate: 3

Antalya Aquarium is an impressive destination for those fascinated by marine life. The main attraction of the aquarium is its expansive and meticulously designed tanks, which house a diverse array of aquatic species from around the world. The highlight is the massive ocean tunnel, allowing visitors to walk through a transparent tunnel with panoramic views of sharks, rays, and other sea creatures swimming overhead. This immersive experience provides an up-close look at marine life in a captivating and educational setting. In addition to the main exhibits, the aquarium features various themed sections, including tropical fish displays and interactive zones for children. The vibrant colors and intricate details of the aquatic environments are thoughtfully designed to showcase the beauty and diversity of ocean life. The aquarium also offers engaging educational content that enhances visitors' understanding of marine ecosystems and conservation efforts. However, it is worth noting that the Ocean Ride, an additional attraction at the aquarium, falls short of expectations. This 3D experience, lasting only about five minutes, does not offer significant value for the cost. The ride is brief and lacks the depth and immersion one might expect from a high-quality experience. Overall, while the aquarium itself is a fantastic destination for marine enthusiasts, the Ocean Ride may not be worth the extra expense. I suggest taking the Uber there as the bus is very confusing especially at night time though we managed to after waiting almost 30-40mins.

Dale Rollinson - Rate: 4

A very nice aquarium with a nice atmosphere located on the outskirts of the city. The air is scented and the entire experience feels very clean. I guess it would have been nice to see that the fish had more interesting tanks for them to enjoy exploring.

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So, if you’re choosing an aquarium in Turkey, it’s Antalya. Why? Here are a few facts:

1. One of the world’s largest tunnel aquariums – a tunnel 131 meters long and 3 meters wide.
2. A vast, well-maintained area.
3. Three floors filled with diverse themed zones.

By the way, if you’re looking for an aquarium in Kemer, this is it – there is no such facility in Kemer itself, and many tourists mistakenly confuse the structure in Antalya with something in Kemer.

Indeed, the Antalya Aquarium is well worth a visit; its experience will leave you with nothing but delightful memories. It’s definitely a unique “check” on your list – I’ve been there, and you’ll remember it for a long time. If you don’t believe us, read the glowing reviews and watch the themed videos (they’re included in the article, so you won’t have to search far).

The Antalya Aquarium covers an area of 12,000 m² and is home to over 10,000 marine creatures and reptiles. It features several children’s play areas, themed zones, a café, and even a small cinema. Among the most interesting themed zones are the Snow Zone (World of Snow and Ice) and the Reptile Zone. Essentially, it offers a standard set of attractions, only on a much larger scale.

The aquarium is located opposite a dolphinarium, and if you are driving here on your own, you might have to cross a busy street, which can be a bit daunting.

Right in front of the main entrance is a huge fountain styled to resemble a breaching sperm whale or large whale – its front and back parts are above water while the middle section is submerged.

Surrounded by abundant greenery and intriguing landscaped figures, the photo opportunities are simply breathtaking – even if you’re not a natural photographer, the shots here will turn out wonderfully.

The building has three floors, and we recommend starting your exploration from the third floor – it’s simply easier to work your way down, and as you tire, you’ll be grateful for this tip.

Just outside the aquarium entrance, a queue often forms because everyone is required to have their photo taken against a green screen. The process is simple – you’ll have a huge, menacing shark superimposed on your picture, and then they’ll offer you a souvenir photo to purchase. The odd thing is, it’s hard to tell what’s more intimidating: the shark on the photo or the price they ask for – but the decision is yours… The photo costs $10 (or €10 if you wish to appear affluent). Is haggling allowed? Absolutely! Depending on your negotiation skills, you can typically bring the price down to around $7. If you want the photo emailed or sent elsewhere, make sure you don’t leave the booth until it’s done; otherwise, you might never receive it – this is proven advice!

Let’s head inside…

Themed Aquariums

Inside the aquarium, everything is divided into themed zones. For example, the inhabitants represent:

1. the Indian Ocean.
2. the Atlantic Ocean.
3. the Mediterranean Sea.
4. the Black Sea.
5. the Red Sea.

There are about 40 themed zones in total; providing a detailed description of each would take up 10 pages, so we’ll stick to general information.

For young children, the open pools – where stingrays and some colorful fish swim – are the most appealing. Yes, the conditions for these aquatic inhabitants are far from ideal, as the crowds and noise are considerable.

World of Snow and the Ice Museum

A special mention goes to the snow room, or more accurately, the “World of Snow and Ice Museum.” In this themed zone, there is indeed a lot of snow and it’s quite cold. Although you’re provided with special capes at the entrance, oddly, no footwear is given. You can even slide down little slopes – a rather unusual treat during Turkey’s hot summers – and snap some photos with backdrops of snow-covered ancient cities and fish encased in ice.

Truly, the designer of this room has quite the imagination. The temperature here is around freezing and the strong air conditioning means you could catch a chill. If you plan to visit this attraction (note that it is not included in the standard admission and the ticket is purchased separately), we recommend wearing closed shoes.

Wild Park

Don’t expect an encounter with wild predators and playful monkeys swinging on branches – “Wild Park” is the name of the terrarium, where the atmosphere is rather intense. Your visit is accompanied by an intriguing soundscape featuring monkey calls, the sound of rain, and wind, which, combined with the exhibits, might seem a bit eerie.

Staying in the “Wild Park” isn’t scary, but it is interesting; here you can see:

• spiders;
• crocodiles;
• snakes;
• frogs;
• scorpions.

And many more fascinating representatives from the world of reptiles and amphibians.

A Journey Through the Underwater Tunnel

Don’t miss the enormous underwater tunnel, whose entrance is located roughly in the middle of the aquarium building. It’s easy to find, thanks to plenty of signs, and you can’t miss it even if you tried. The tunnel itself is a winding glass passage, 3 meters wide, with built-in ledges where weary visitors often sit to rest after a long tour of the aquarium.

Inside the aquarium, you’ll encounter huge stingrays, sharks, as well as smaller fish (which, by the way, are the majority). If you’re lucky, you might catch the fish feeding session conducted by divers – a mesmerizing spectacle well worth watching.

Feeding times are not provided on the aquarium’s website, as they vary depending on the season.

Nevertheless, here is the official website of the Antalya Aquarium (Turkey). Information is available in English there, but it is very limited.

Children’s Entertainment

In addition to the standard strolls past the fish tanks, children may enjoy several fun attractions both inside and outside the building. For instance, outside there is an artificial pond where, for a small fee, you can steer a miniature toy boat – control is provided from an improvised captain’s bridge. The little one takes the helm, and the boat obeys him as if it were a real vessel.

The abundance of slides and other attractions is astounding – children are unlikely to get bored… though that’s not a guarantee!

Location

As mentioned earlier, the aquarium is located opposite the dolphinarium and can be reached by public transport or by rental car. The address is shown on the map below.

Let’s figure out how to reach the Antalya Aquarium via public transport. From Kemer, minibusses that resemble small buses run regularly from the central square. All you need to do is show the aquarium’s promotional brochure when boarding, or simply say “Aquarium” and the driver will alert you when it’s time to get off. If you’re not comfortable with this system, use a map and track your route independently.

Regarding the villages between Kemer and Antalya, the procedure is simple: wave your hand at the passing minibus, and then proceed in the same manner as described above.

Such a trip will cost between 3 to 7 Turkish Lira, which is a mere pittance.

If you’re staying in Antalya – take Bus No. 5 and get off at the “Aquarium” stop.

Upon arrival, you will need to cross an intersection without traffic signals; for those who prefer not to break the rules, disembark with the main group near the shopping center, cross the street there, and then continue towards the aquarium on that side of the road.

If you plan to travel by rental car, below is a map showing how to get from Kemer by car.

Parking

The aquarium premises feature three parking lots, though only two are designated for private cars – the southern and northern lots (the signs will guide you correctly). The third is reserved exclusively for tour groups.

Opening Hours

The aquarium is open from 10 AM to 9 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10 AM to 8 PM from Sunday through Thursday. Ticket sales and admissions end one hour before closing.

Ticket Prices

The Antalya Aquarium, with an admission ticket priced at $35 for adults and $27 for children, offers many additional zones that require extra fees. If you’re visiting with children, it’s advisable to have an extra couple of euros on hand.

By the way, it’s cheaper to pay in the local currency, we assure you.

Here is the list of tickets available at the aquarium:

A child is defined as someone aged 3 to 12 years (inclusive); children under three enter free of charge. Whether to purchase the full package is up to you; however, we recommend booking an excursion with the tour operator – the price and quality are reasonable, and you can even book online, avoiding the hassle of local travel agencies.

If you are not part of an organized tour, you cannot purchase a ticket in advance – at least, that was the rule in 2024 and it carried over into 2025. Those are the terms of operation.

In summary, the Antalya Aquarium (Kemer) is a place worth visiting at least once, as there is truly much to see.