Side-Turkey.

The Antalya Aquarium is one of those rare excursions that works for absolutely everyone in the family, and it works in any weather. It sits in the Konyaaltı area of Antalya city and is famous for one of the longest walk-through tunnel aquariums in the world: a long, curved acrylic corridor where sharks, rays and shoals of fish drift directly over your head. If you are based in Side, Manavgat or one of the nearby resorts, getting there is straightforward once you know how the transfer works. Here is our honest, local guide to planning the trip.

How the transfer from Side actually works

The aquarium is an indoor attraction inside Antalya city, so the practical part of the day is the road journey along the coast from the Side area into Antalya. We arrange hotel pick-up from Side, Manavgat and the surrounding resorts, and the exact pick-up time is confirmed at booking once we know your hotel and the day you want to go.

A few tips that make the drive smoother:

• Have your hotel name and room number ready when you book so the driver knows exactly where to wait.
• Be at the meeting point a little early — coastal traffic can shift, and a few minutes of buffer saves stress.
• If anyone in your group gets travel-sick, sit toward the front and bring water.

What you will actually see inside

The headline is the tunnel: you walk through a long curved acrylic passage with marine life swimming overhead and all around you. Beyond the tunnel there are many themed tanks and sections covering different aquatic habitats, so it is a slow, wandering kind of visit rather than a rush. The complex sometimes includes additional optional attractions — such as a snow or ice-themed area — at a separate entry; whether that is included or paid extra is confirmed at booking.

Good to know before you go

• It is fully indoor and air-conditioned — ideal on a scorching beach day or a rainy one.
• Lighting is dim for the animals, so a phone or camera handles photos better than flash (flash is usually discouraged near the tanks).
• It is pushchair- and wheelchair-friendly in most sections, which makes it easy with small children.

When to go and what to bring

Because it is indoors, this trip is genuinely all-year and all-weather. Many families save it for the hottest midsummer afternoons or for the one cloudy day of the holiday, which is exactly when it shines. Bring a light layer — the interior is cooler than the coast — plus comfortable shoes for the walking, and a charged phone for photos. For exact opening hours, current ticket details and any optional add-ons, always check the official site or confirm with us at booking.

Quick Facts

• Duration: Day trip to Antalya Aquarium, confirmed at booking.
• Pick-up: Hotel pick-up from Side, Manavgat & nearby resorts; time confirmed at booking.
• Includes: Hotel transfer; aquarium visit (entry details confirmed at booking).
• Excludes: Optional extra attractions (e.g. snow area), meals and personal spending unless stated; confirmed at booking.
• Family Friendly: Yes — great for all ages, indoor and stroller/wheelchair accessible.
• Best Season: Year-round; especially good on very hot or rainy days.
• Difficulty: Easy — gentle indoor walking at your own pace.

Related Excursions

• Tours & excursions in Side
• Things to do in Antalya
• Excursions in Alanya
• Excursions in Kemer
• Excursions in Belek
• More travel tips on our blog

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Antalya Aquarium?

It is in the Konyaaltı area of Antalya city, a coastal drive from the Side and Manavgat resorts.

Do you pick up from my hotel in Side?

Yes. We arrange hotel pick-up from Side, Manavgat and nearby resorts; the exact time is confirmed at booking.

Is it suitable for young children and grandparents?

Very much so. It is indoor, mostly flat, and accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs, so all ages can enjoy it at an easy pace.

What if it rains on our chosen day?

That is the beauty of this trip — it is fully indoor, so rain or extreme heat is no problem. It is open year-round.

Is the snow or ice area included?

The complex sometimes offers additional attractions at a separate entry. Whether any add-on is included or paid extra is confirmed at booking.

How long is the tunnel and what will we see?

You walk through one of the world's longest acrylic tunnels with sharks, rays and many fish above and around you, plus many themed tanks. For exact figures and species, check the official site.

What should I bring?

A light layer for the air conditioning, comfortable shoes and a charged phone or camera. Flash is usually discouraged near the tanks.

Why book direct with you?

Booking direct with our local team removes agency and OTA commission, and we back it with a best-price guarantee.

Ready to plan your visit? Book DIRECT with the Murat Atalay team via WhatsApp or email info@side-turkey.com. As a local operator we cut out agency and OTA commission and back every booking with our best-price guarantee — message us with your hotel and dates and we will sort the rest.