Marine exhibits of the museum
Antalya Marine Biology Museum
Antalya Marine Biology Museum, Antalya, Turkey
The Antalya Marine Biology Museum opened in 2014. It is the first museum in Turkey dedicated to the biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea, introducing visitors to the rare and endangered species found off Antalya's coast.
The exhibition is based on collections gathered over many years by scientists and experienced divers in the Gulf of Antalya. This is a museum display, not an aquarium: exhibits are presented as dry and wet specimens, models, and display cabinets with samples.
In the halls you can see about 500 species of marine organisms, including around 20 species of sharks. Among the rare and protected species are the angelshark Squatina squatina and the roughshark Oxynotus centrina, as well as the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta. In addition, the exhibition covers roughly 150 species of bony fish, shrimps, crabs and lobsters, squids and cuttlefish, sponges, corals, sea urchins and starfish.
The museum is located in the historic Kaleici district in central Antalya, near the Old Harbor. It is compact, with clear thematic halls and information panels in Turkish and English. A visit can be easily combined with a walk through the Old Town and the marina.
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The Antalya Marine Biology Museum opened in 2014. It is the first museum in Turkey dedicated to the biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea, introducing visitors to the rare and endangered species found off Antalya's coast.
The exhibition is based on collections gathered over many years by scientists and experienced divers in the Gulf of Antalya. This is a museum display, not an aquarium: exhibits are presented as dry and wet specimens, models, and display cabinets with samples.
In the halls you can see about 500 species of marine organisms, including around 20 species of sharks. Among the rare and protected species are the angelshark Squatina squatina and the roughshark Oxynotus centrina, as well as the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta. In addition, the exhibition covers roughly 150 species of bony fish, shrimps, crabs and lobsters, squids and cuttlefish, sponges, corals, sea urchins and starfish.
The museum is located in the historic Kaleici district in central Antalya, near the Old Harbor. It is compact, with clear thematic halls and information panels in Turkish and English. A visit can be easily combined with a walk through the Old Town and the marina.
Learn about the marine fauna of the Mediterranean Sea.
Marine biology in the center of Antalya: the Kaleici exhibition
This is a small museum space about the nature of the Mediterranean Sea off Antalya's coast. Inside are themed halls dedicated to cartilaginous and bony fishes, invertebrates and marine communities, featuring authentic specimens in display cases and jars, as well as high-quality models. Allow about 30 minutes for a visit - convenient to include in a route through the Old Town.
What to see and do here: observe the diversity of the region's marine fauna, compare the characteristics of different groups of organisms, and read brief scientific notes on habitats and species conservation status. Suitable for families with school-age children and for anyone interested in Mediterranean marine life.
Nearby the museum are Kaleici's landmark sites - Hadrian's Gate, Yivli Minare and Hidirlik Tower - where you can continue your walk along historic streets and coastal viewpoints.
How to get there: the easiest way is to walk through the Kaleici district - from Hadrian's Gate it is about a 10-15 minute walk downhill through the streets. The museum is usually open Tuesday through Sunday, closed on Monday; seasonal hours may change - check current information before your visit.
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