There’s no better way to experience wildlife than by visiting a zoo. But with so many zoos around the world, it can be hard to know which ones are worth the visit.
To help you decide, we’ve rounded up the best zoos in Germany. They’re all committed to conservation and have something to offer everyone.
Berlin Zoo
With over 3.3 million visitors a year from all over the world, the Berlin Zoo is the most popular in Europe. Established in 1844, it’s the oldest and best-known zoo in Germany and presents one of the most comprehensive collections of species in the world.
Located in the heart of Berlin’s largest park, Tiergarten, Zoo Berlin is an attraction that will appeal to both kids and adults. It’s home to many animals of various kinds, including pandas, gorillas, African penguins and giraffes.
In addition to the zoo’s famous animal encounters, the park also offers a range of visitor experiences. You can walk through the Lemur Woods, see a train pass you by or pet some of the animals.
The Berlin Zoo is a great day out with the whole family, and it’s well worth a visit whether you’re in town for a short stay or a long holiday. There are lots of exciting animal shows and feedings to enjoy, so make sure to check out the schedule before you go.
Tierpark Hellabrunn
Located within the nature preserve of the Isar-Auen, the Tierpark Hellabrunn is one of the most popular zoos in Germany. The park is 40 ha large and features over 19,000 animals of 750 species.
The zoo is divided into geographical regions: Europe, America, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Artic. Here, different animal species from each region live together in spacious enclosures.
Zookeepers provide educational opportunities throughout the day, including daily shows and commentary feeds. Attendees can also get up close to a variety of animals during meet and greets or in the Villa Dracula.
The zoo also has many play areas for kids, including a petting zoo with goats and other docile animals and a “polarium” with penguins and polar bears. There’s even a “Manimals” game that players use to identify animals with specific characteristics.
Tierpark Hagenbeck
Tierpark Hagenbeck in Stellingen, Hamburg, is one of the oldest zoos in Germany and still privately owned. It began in 1863 with animals that belonged to Carl Hagenbeck Sr. A fishmonger who became an amateur animal collector.
Since 1907, the Hagenbeck family has run this private zoo, and it is known for being one of the first zoos to use open enclosures surrounded by moats instead of barred cages to better approximate animals’ natural environments. Animals roam freely over dozens of acres, including rare and endangered species.
In addition to animal encounters, visitors can learn about conservation and the environment in this zoo. Many of the species exhibited are threatened or endangered in their native countries, and the zoo takes a number of measures to protect them.
The zoo is also home to Germany’s coolest aquarium, where you can meet polar bears, sea bears and walruses. It is based on a geothermal cooling circuit that uses all-year water from deep wells in Hamburg’s city waterworks.
Schloss Friedrichsfelde
Originally built in 1695, this Baroque palace is located in the heart of Berlin’s largest zoo. It is home to many species of animals, including bears, elephants and penguins.
This historic palace is a must-see for animal lovers, but it also offers plenty of other attractions for visitors. You can take a stroll through the park, enjoy a cup of coffee in the café or try out the playground.
The zoo is one of the best places to see a variety of animals, and you can get up close with them without spending a fortune. It is also the perfect place to bring your kids and spend some quality time together as a family.
The Tierpark Berlin is Germany’s biggest zoo and houses more than 10,000 animals from 800 different species. It is located in 160 hectares of parkland surrounding the historic Schloss Friedrichsfelde and features a lake and unique wildlife habitats.
