Faruk Yalçın Zoo, Zoo and botanical garden in Kocaeli, Turkey
Faruk Yalçın Zoo is a zoological and botanical park in Darıca district of Kocaeli province. The grounds hold animals from hundreds of species and plants from different climate zones arranged across multiple sections.
The site opened in 1993 as a bird park and grew over the following years with support from a local entrepreneur. Additional animal groups and plant areas were gradually added.
The park takes its name from the businessman who turned his private bird collection into the foundation of the site. School groups often use the paths between enclosures for guided tours where children learn about native and exotic species.
The site sits on İstasyon Street in Yalı neighborhood and opens daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Visitors find paths running between enclosures and gardens, with some areas featuring stairs.
The location sits in Darıca, a coastal neighborhood on the Sea of Marmara, allowing visitors to occasionally glimpse water between the trees. Some sections use the hilly terrain for terraced enclosures.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
