Bakirkoy base for Florya
Florya Trip Base: Who Should Stay in Bakirkoy?
For families who want to combine a Florya day with other parts of Istanbul and walk to the shops and restaurants in the evening, Bakırköy (Bakirkoy) Zeytinlik is a comfortable base. Istanbul Aquarium is about 30 minutes away in total by Marmaray, Florya beach is 15–20 minutes by car depending on traffic, and Sirkeci is about 20 minutes from the same station.
In this guide we have gathered who Bakırköy suits, how many minutes each place takes during the day, and which apartment fits which family, with tables to compare.
How far is everything from Zeytinlik?
| Place | Time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Bakırköy Freedom Square (Özgürlük Meydanı) and İstanbul Caddesi | 6 min | on foot |
| Marmaray Bakırköy station | 8 min | on foot |
| Capacity shopping mall | 9 min | on foot |
| Bakırköy seafront | 14 min | on foot |
| Istanbul Aquarium | about 30 min in total | Marmaray, Florya Akvaryum stop |
| Florya beach | 15–20 min by car | car, or Marmaray to Florya stop |
| Yenikapı | about 15 min | Marmaray |
| Sirkeci | about 20 min | Marmaray |
| Sultanahmet | about 35–45 min | Marmaray and a walk, or the T1 tram |
Car times vary with traffic; Marmaray times are unaffected by traffic, which makes planning easier.
Who is Bakırköy a good fit for?
- People making Florya part of a wider Istanbul trip. One day the aquarium and the beach, the next Sirkeci and Sultanahmet: both days start from the same station.
- Anyone who wants to walk out for dinner and shopping in the evening. Freedom Square is 6 minutes away, Capacity shopping mall 9, the Bakırköy seafront 14.
- Families who want their own kitchen. Every apartment has one, so you make breakfast and the children's dinner yourselves.
- Travellers with a buggy and suitcases. The building has a lift and security cameras; the stairs are no problem and the cameras are reassuring.
- Groups travelling with older family members. In the Two-bedroom apartment (2+1), two bedrooms and a living room make it easy for three generations to stay together.
Which apartment suits whom?
| Apartment | Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment (1+0) | 1–2 guests | Couples and solo travellers on a short aquarium trip |
| One-bedroom apartment (1+1) | 2–3 guests | Couples and families with one child; separate bedroom and living room |
| Two-bedroom apartment (2+1) | 4–5 guests | Families with two children, and groups travelling with grandparents |
All apartments have a kitchen, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. You will find the details on the apartments page.
Ways to make the daily trip easier
- Take the Marmaray. Rail is not affected by traffic, so your journey to the aquarium is predictable.
- Travel outside the peak hours. Trains can be crowded at the start and end of the working day; with children, choosing the hours in between makes the ride easier.
- If you plan to visit the aquarium on more than one day, add the roughly 30-minute journey to each day's plan; stopping off in the Bakırköy shopping streets on the way back rounds the day off nicely.
- If you are coming by car, ask about parking options nearby when you book.
Three questions to help you decide
- How many days are you staying? For three days or more, Bakırköy's central position comes into its own: one day Florya, one day the Historic Peninsula, one evening on the Bakırköy seafront.
- Will you head to other parts of the city? Sultanahmet is about 35–45 minutes from Bakırköy by Marmaray and a short walk, and Taksim is about 40–50 minutes with a change at Yenikapı.
- Do you need a kitchen? With small children, an apartment with a kitchen makes the daily routine easier; you can make breakfast and dinner yourselves.
Example scenarios
| Scenario | Suggested apartment | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Two people, weekend aquarium trip | Studio apartment (1+0) | One day the aquarium and Florya beach, the next the Bakırköy seafront |
| Four-night Istanbul trip, one child | One-bedroom apartment (1+1) | One day Florya, one day Sirkeci and Sultanahmet |
| Family of five, needs a kitchen | Two-bedroom apartment (2+1) | Breakfast in the apartment, dinner out in the shopping streets |
| Family travelling with grandparents | Two-bedroom apartment (2+1) | Two separate bedrooms, evenings together in the living room |
Questions to ask before you book
Asking these questions when you choose a place to stay makes your plan clearer:
- How many minutes to the aquarium and the beach? Look at the address and the real travel time on a map.
- Which is the nearest Marmaray station? If you will also be heading into the centre, the distance to the station matters.
- Does the building have a lift? It matters with a buggy, luggage and older family members.
- Is there a kitchen? It makes daily life easier on a longer stay and with small children.
- What are the check-in and check-out times? Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is by 11:00; if the aquarium falls on your departure day, ask about a late check-out in advance.
We answer all of these quickly on WhatsApp, and you can write to us in English; you will find our address and a map on the location page.
The bottom line
If you want Florya to be one of the good days of your Istanbul trip, Bakırköy Zeytinlik gives you a base within easy reach of both the aquarium and the rest of the city. We have described how to build a Florya day in a one-day family plan in Florya and how to use the line in our Marmaray to Florya guide. Send your dates and the number of guests on WhatsApp at 0532 655 43 32 and we will tell you which apartment fits and whether it is available.
Common questions
Can I stay in Bakırköy and go to the aquarium every day?
Yes. The trip takes about 30 minutes in total by Marmaray, including the walk to the station, and the rail line is not affected by traffic; just add that time to each day's plan.
How long does it take to get from Bakırköy to Florya?
We are in Bakırköy Zeytinlik; Florya is 15–20 minutes away by car depending on traffic. Istanbul Aquarium is about 30 minutes away in total by Marmaray.
Which apartment suits a family with two children?
The Two-bedroom apartment (2+1), which sleeps 4–5, suits you; it has two bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen. The building has a lift, so a buggy is no problem either.
Availability and rates for Near Florya Stay: 0532 655 43 32 (24/7)