Staying near Sultanahmet and planning a visit to Emaar Aquarium and Underwater Zoo? Good news: the journey is simpler than it looks on the map. The aquarium sits inside Emaar Square Mall on the Asian side of Istanbul, and thanks to the Marmaray rail tunnel under the Bosphorus, you can reach it from the historic peninsula in around forty minutes, no ferry timetables required.

By Marmaray and Metro

Take the T1 tram from Sultanahmet to Sirkeci, walk down to the Marmaray station and board any train towards the Asian side. Get off at Ayrılık Çeşmesi, change to the M4 metro and ride two stops to Ünalan; from there, Emaar Square Mall is about a ten minute walk. The whole route runs on a single Istanbulkart.

By Ferry

If you would rather cross the Bosphorus above the water, walk or take the tram to Eminönü and catch a ferry to Kadıköy. From Kadıköy pier, the M4 metro takes you to Ünalan in a few stops. The ferry adds a little time to the journey and a lot of scenery.

By Taxi

Taxis know Emaar Square Mall well; depending on traffic, the ride from Sultanahmet takes roughly half an hour via the Eurasia Tunnel or the bridge. Ask the driver for Emaar Square Mall, Ünalan.

Before You Go

Buying your ticket online lets you skip the queue and benefit from discounted prices. The aquarium entrance is on level -2 of the mall. If you are planning your first visit, our Emaar Aquarium Visitor Guide covers how long to set aside and what not to miss; for directions from other parts of the city, see the How to Get to the Aquarium guide.