10 Most Beautiful Zoos in Germany
I have found out for you which are the most beautiful animal parks and zoos in Germany.
A day at the zoo always promises to be an exciting trip and is a great tip to keep the little ones happy, especially on a short vacation. After all, you don’t see lions, giraffes, elephants or monkeys every day.
Many different animals in their (almost) natural habitat and many other attractions make a visit to German zoos or animal parks a great destination for young and old.
Munich Zoo Hellabrunn
The Tierpark Hellabrunn was founded in 1911 and is the first geozoo in the world.
This means that the animals are not classified according to species, but according to the continents on which they live.
You can marvel at a total of 750 species and over 19,000 animals here.
Take a day trip around the world in one of the most beautiful zoos in Germany.
For example, polar bears and penguins live in the polar world.
Visit the giraffe savannah with its long-legged visitors or marvel at the lovebirds, parrots and other birds in the large aviary.
Flamingos, reptiles or rhinos, you can see countless animals in Hellabrunn.
Every day you have the opportunity to watch the polar bears being fed or look over the shoulders of the keepers in the tiger or elephant enclosure.
An exciting training session awaits you with the sea lions and birds of prey.
An unforgettable day is guaranteed.
Address: Tierparkstrasse 30, 81543 Munich
Opening hours: from November to March daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from April to October daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Admission: Adults pay 15 euros for a day ticket, children between 4 and 14 years pay 6 euros, a family ticket for parents and children between 4 and 14 years costs 33 euros
Berlin Zoological Garden
The Berlin Zoological Garden is the oldest zoo in Germany and has the most animal residents. Around 20,000 animals from 1,400 species live here.
The zoo was opened in 1844.
In addition to the zoo, the show aquarium, which is located right next to the Berlin Zoological Garden, also belongs to this beautiful zoo in Germany.
On three levels you can marvel at fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and insects.
At daily feedings you can experience many animals up close.
Watch the commented feeding of the elephants, wolves, hippos or gorillas.
Experience the clumsy pandas Meng Meng and Jiao Qing when they make their enclosure unsafe.
The special thing about the Berlin Zoological Garden is that you can even see hippos and penguins under water here.
Another highlight is the night safari. In the nocturnal animal house you can experience all the animals that are actually only out and about at night and would probably usually be asleep on a normal visit to the zoo.
The petting zoo is great fun for a holiday with children, and romping around on the large adventure playground is also great fun.
My tip: In addition to conventional tours, the zoo in Berlin also offers tours in sign language and for the blind or people with dementia.
Address: Hardenbergplatz 8, 10787 Berlin
“Opening times: in January and February as well as in November and December daily from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., in March and October from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., from April to September from 9 a.m. to 6.30 p.m
Admission: adults pay 21 euros for the zoo and aquarium, children from 4 to 15 years pay 10.50 euros, reduced admission of 15.50 euros is available for pupils, students, trainees, ALG I+II recipients and the severely disabled
Hannover Adventure Zoo
The adventure zoo, founded in 1865, awaits you in Hanover, the capital of Lower Saxony.
Around 2000 animals from 198 species live in the various enclosures.
The special thing about Hannover Zoo is that the animals are housed in different themed worlds.
As a visitor, you have the feeling that you are in the natural habitat of the animals.
A special highlight that makes the Hannover Adventure Zoo one of the most attractive zoos in Germany is the Zambezi landscape.
A total of 18 boats drive almost silently through the savannah landscape.
Your journey will take you past giraffes, lions, hippos and pelicans.
On an African petting meadow you get closer to the harmless animals of Africa than ever before.
Other adventure worlds are Afi Mountain, a landscape for apes and gorillas.
Incidentally, you will also be provided with information about human evolution.
A Canadian theme world awaits you in Yucon Bay. Discover here: polar bears, timber wolves, raccoons, baltic gray seals
In the jungle palace, on the other hand, Asian elephants, small pandas or Amur tigers await you, while emus, red giant kangaroos and swamp wallabies live in the Outback in Hanover Zoo.
But of course the local animal world is not neglected in this zoo in Germany either.
Rare regional animals such as old German black and white lowland cattle, Thuringian forest goats or honey bees live in the rural courtyard complex “Meyers Hof”.
A day at the Hannover Adventure Zoo will definitely be just that: an experience.
Insider tip: Book your tickets online. These are up to 1.50 euros cheaper than at the zoo checkout.
If the individual landscapes are not enough for you, you can take part in feedings and other demonstrations.
Address: Adenauerallee 3, 30175 Hanover
Opening hours: from November to mid-March every Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., during the Lower Saxony holidays the zoo is also open on Mondays, from mid-March daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Admission: Adults pay 24.80 euros, young adults between 17 and 24 years pay 18.80 euros, children between 6 and 16 years pay 16.80 euros, children between 3 and 5 years pay 12.80 euros, children under 3 years of age have free entry (the prices refer to online tickets and the summer season)
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Leipzig Zoological Garden
The Leipzig Zoo, founded in 1878, is definitely one of the most beautiful zoos in Germany.
Around 9,400 animals from 804 species live in the enclosures.
This makes it one of the most species-rich zoos in Europe.
The animals are housed in different themed areas.
These are divided into Asia, Africa, South America, Pongoland – where orangutas, chimpanzees and gorillas live – and Gondwanaland.
Gondwanaland is a special attraction at Leipzig Zoo.
The area is as big as two soccer fields and you can expect a large hall with tropical temperatures.
Animals from Africa, Asia and South America live here.
The name of the facility is also the name of the supercontinent Gondwana. The continents we know today were formed from it.
In a tropical rainforest setting, you can roam on foot or discover the scenery and wildlife by waterway.
Since the summer of 2017 there has also been a Himalayan facility in Leipzig.
Two red pandas and four snow leopards live here.
In addition, since 2018 another new facility has represented the continent of South America with space for flamingos, maned wolves and giant anteaters.
A penguin and seal facility with a 360-degree underwater tunnel is also planned.
So you can also experience the animals under water.
Address: Pfaffendorfer Strasse 29, 04105 Leipzig
Opening times: from mid-March to April and in October daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., from May to September from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., from November to mid-March from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m
Admission: Adults pay 21 euros, children from 6 to 16 years pay 13 euros, reduced admission of 17 euros applies to pupils, trainees, students, the severely disabled, BFDler and FÖJler
Cologne Zoo
It is one of the oldest zoos in Germany and was opened in 1860: the Cologne Zoo.
Today around 10,000 animals from more than 750 species live here.
Especially if you love elephants, you will get your money’s worth in this beautiful zoo in Germany.
The modern elephant enclosure takes up almost a tenth of the entire zoo area. 16 Asian elephants live here in the largest facility north of the Alps.
Another attraction worth seeing at Cologne Zoo is the Hippodrome.
Hippos, Nile crocodiles, antelopes and various bird species live here.
You can even experience the water dwellers in their natural habitat and follow them, at least with your eyes, under the water surface.
Other highlights are the aquarium with different species of fish from all over the world, reptiles and amphibians.
Gorillas, orangutans and bonobos live in the jungle house. In the Madagascar house you can discover various animals from the African island.
Madagascar split from the continent 170 million years ago. This is how a unique flora and fauna developed isolated on the island.
Address: Riehler Strasse 173, 50735 Cologne
Opening hours: from November to February daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from March to October from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Admission: Adults pay 19.50 euros, children from 4 to 12 years pay 9 euros and pupils, students and trainees pay 14.50 euros, children under 4 years have free admission
Hagenbeck Zoo
The Tierpark Hagenbeck in Hamburg was opened in 1907 and is still owned by the founding family.
A unique highlight in Hagenbeck Zoo is the Eismeer, which is why it is definitely one of the most popular zoos in Germany.
In this facility you can experience the wildlife of the Poles. Your journey through the Arctic Ocean takes you along a visitor path that is around 750 meters long.
Observe fur seals, polar bears, walruses and penguins as they live in a modern and natural environment.
The walrus lady Antje also lived here. From 1984 to 2001 she was the mascot of the Norddeutscher Rundfunk.
Arctic birds also live in the complex.
Watch the penguins climb, slide and dive in their new facility. The Nordland Panorama already existed in 1907.
However, it was so severely damaged in World War II that it could not be completely rebuilt.
After you have cooled down in the sea of ice, you can thaw again in the tropical aquarium.
Take a trip around the equator and experience free-roaming ring-tailed lemurs and many other animals on 8,000 square meters.
In one of the largest seawater facilities in Europe, you can observe sharks and rays, as well as experience Nile crocodiles and poisonous snakes.
You will also find many other animal enclosures with elephants, camels, baboons, zebras and red pandas in Hagenbeck Zoo.
Address: Lokstedter Grenzstrasse 2, 22527 Hamburg
Opening times: from November to February daily from 9 am to 4.30 pm, from March to June and from September to October daily from 9 am to 6 pm, in July and August daily from 9 am to 7 pm
Admission: A ticket for the zoo and tropical aquarium costs 30 euros for adults, children between the ages of 4 and 16 pay 21 euros
Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Garden Stuttgart
The Wilhelma is one of the most species-rich zoos in Germany.
Around 11,000 animals from 1,200 species live here. You can also marvel at 7,000 plant species in the historical park and greenhouses.
Because the Wilhelma is not only a zoo, but also a botanical garden.
From 1880 the Wilhelma was open to the public. Before that it was a palace complex.
Only in the post-war years and specifically from 1960 was the botanical garden expanded to include a zoo.
In a modern monkey house, African apes live in close proximity to giraffes and elephants.
A large butterfly house combines botany and zoology. Countless small moths live here.
In the South American Amazonia house, animals from South America live in an authentic environment.
Howler monkeys, golden-headed lion tamarins, as well as reptiles and amphibians.
You can also find ten different bird species in the tropical treetops.
A new facility is to be built in the Wilhelma for the elephants in the future.
Until now, the Asian elephants have been living together with rhinos and a Malayan tapir from Zoo Leipzig.
Address: Wilhelma 13, 70376 Stuttgart
Opening hours: The zoo opens daily at 8.15 a.m., depending on the month the closing time of the zoo varies between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m
Admission: Adults pay 16 euros, children aged 6 to 17 pay 8 euros, pupils and students aged 18 to 28 pay 10 euros
Zoo Berlin-Friedrichsfelde
The division of the city of Berlin had at least one good thing: today there are two zoological gardens in the capital.
The Tierpark Berlin is one of them and was created in the Schlosspark Friedrichsfelde, it was then opened in 1955.
It is one of the largest landscape zoos in Europe and today houses more than 9,000 exotic and native animals from 790 species.
Its spacious park and the historic buildings in the zoo make it one of the most beautiful zoos in Germany.
It is best known for its large flamingo lagoon and the large camel meadow.
Visit African and Asian elephants, polar bears or penguins and get up close and personal with the trusting lemurs in the Vari forest.
Walk through the kangaroo enclosure and get up close and personal with the Australian marsupials.
Every Saturday and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. you can watch the elephants bathing.
The daily paddling fun takes place from October to Easter.
The beasts of prey are housed in the historic Alfred Brehm House.
Walk over the treetop path and watch the big cats and flying foxes.
You can also watch different feedings every day.
For example with giraffes, manatees or aardwolves.
Address: Am Tierpark 125, 10319 Berlin
Opening times: from November to February daily from 9 am to 4.30 pm, in March and October daily from 9 am to 6 pm and from April to September daily from 9 am to 6.30 pm
Admission: Adults pay 13 euros, children from 4 to 15 years pay 6.50 euros, schoolchildren, trainees, students, ALG I+II recipients and the severely disabled receive reduced admission for 9 euros
Dresden Zoo
The Dresden Zoo was opened in 1861, making it the fourth oldest zoo in Germany.
It is therefore quite clear that for this reason alone it should not be missing from the list of the most beautiful zoos and animal parks in Germany. More than 1,500 animals from 251 species live in Dresden Zoo.
A particular highlight is the Africa facility, which was completed in 2008.
Ring-tailed lemurs, giraffes and many other animals from the African continent live here.
The Africa House was completely renovated and redesigned in 2018.
Here you can visit the pachyderms in their larger and modern facility.
In a tropical house you can observe all kinds of insects and other animals of the jungle.
Two koala males also live there. Next to Duisburg, Dresden is the only zoo where you can see the Australian animals.
You can also go underground in the Dresden Zoo. Spot fire salamanders, newts and king snakes.
A few rats also live in a simulated sewerage system.
Address: Tiergartenstrasse 1, 01219 Dresden
Opening times: from February 10th from 8.30am to 5.30pm, from March 25th from 8.30am to 6.30pm, from October 4th from 8.30am to 5.30pm, from November 1st from 8.30am to 4.30pm
Admission: Adults pay 12 euros, children between the ages of 3 and 16 pay 4 euros, pupils, students, trainees and the severely disabled pay 8 euros
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Zoo Frankfurt am Main
The zoo of the Main metropolis, founded in 1858, is located in the middle of Frankfurt am Main.
Around 4,500 animals from 500 species live here. The animal residents are housed in various animal houses.
In the cat jungle, for example, tigers and lions live, separated from you only by a moat or a pane.
The Exotarium is also very worth seeing. Fish, crocodiles and other reptiles as well as insects cavort here.
Visit the seals at the seal cliffs and marvel at the animals in a natural setting.
A special highlight in this beautiful zoo of Germany is the Grzimekhaus, named after one of the zoo directors.
It is the largest nocturnal animal house in Europe and gives you the unique opportunity to experience nocturnal animals during your visit to the zoo during the day.
You can see bats or African aardvarks here, for example.
Daily feeding of crocodiles, piranhas, seals and penguins make a visit to the zoo in Frankfurt am Main an unforgettable experience.
Address: Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee 1, 60316 Frankfurt am Main
Opening hours: from November to March daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from April to October daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m
Admission: Adults pay 12 euros, children between the ages of 6 and 17, pupils, students and the severely disabled pay 6 euros, children under the age of 6 have free admission
10 Most Beautiful Zoos in Germany
- Munich Zoo Hellabrunn
- Berlin Zoological Garden
- Hannover Adventure Zoo
- Leipzig Zoological Garden
- Cologne Zoo
- Hagenbeck Zoo
- Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Garden Stuttgart
- Zoo Berlin-Friedrichsfelde
- Dresden Zoo
- Zoo Frankfurt am Main
