The Netherlands · ZOOS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 9 zoo visits worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend a full day at ARTIS, Amsterdam’s historic zoo, seeing jaguars, elephants, gorillas, giraffes, flamingos, and more. Your ticket also covers the Planetarium, Butterfly Pavilion, botanical garden, and zookeeper presentations. The zoo is wheelchair accessible, easy to reach by tram, and suited to families, couples, and curious adults.
“It was awesome, so many different animals, plants and insects to see”
Spend a full day at Rotterdam Zoo Blijdorp, a large, well-organized zoo with fast-track entry. Follow themed areas from the covered Oceanium and tropical Amazonica to the African Savanna and Asian Taman Indah. Plan for several hours of walking, indoor exhibits in poor weather, children’s play areas, food stops, and wheelchair access.
“Such a good variety of animals, really exciting for children.”
Spend a full day at ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo, one of the world’s oldest zoos, then visit ARTIS-Micropia, the only museum devoted entirely to microbes. See elephants, lions, gorillas, lemurs, otters, and penguins, visit the Planetarium, and use your timed Micropia entry whenever it suits your zoo day.
“Micropia was fascinating and eye opening with staff around to ask and answer questions. The zoo is amazing and spent many hours walking around. very clean with water fill stations around to refill your bottles. Definitely recommend going.”
Spend about four hours exploring Rotterdam Zoo Diergaarde Blijdorp with a reserved mobile admission ticket. See the Netherlands’ largest aquarium, tropical rainforest, butterfly house, animals from several world regions, and indoor and outdoor play areas. The zoo is easy to reach by public transport and suits families, couples, and anyone who enjoys a full day outdoors.
“The zoo was wonderful. It was really nice to see the animals. This is a really good trip for families, couples even friends. I'd definitely recommend it. Also it's only 15 mins by bus from Rotterdam Central, so it's really not far.”
Spend a full day at Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen, Utrecht Province, visiting giant pandas, koalas, African elephants, polar bears, bonobos, leopards, and red pandas. Your ticket includes zoo entry, access to the indoor jungle playground, and the Maki Lounge. The zoo is wheelchair accessible, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before your visit.
Spend up to eight hours exploring Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem, where animals live in broad eco-displays rather than small, separate enclosures. Walk through the humid Bush, Mexican-American Desert, Ocean, Safari, Rimba, and Belize-inspired Mangrove. Your ticket includes admission, skip-the-ticket-line entry, and wheelchair access. Food, drinks, and €8.50 parking cost extra.
“Nuostabus zoologijos sodas, daugybė įvairių guvūnų, akvariumas ir botanikos kupolai su paukščiais ir drugeliais buvo kažkas wow”
Spend a full day at Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen, moving from butterfly-filled Jungola to the Rimbula River boat ride, open savanna, and chilly Nortica. You can see elephants, giraffes, rhinos, penguins, polar bears, and sea lions, then let children loose in Animazia. The $32 ticket includes zoo entry and attractions.
“Family of 7 from the uk,we enjoyed this sooo much it was amazing,the restaurant food was delicious very clean,safari ride was amazing giraffes came up close which was nice,well worth the money this place had tons to offer with even a polar bear!!the river ride was a nice touch also x”
Spend one day at ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo and ARTIS Groote Museum. See elephant calves, lions, gorillas, lemurs, otters, and African penguins, then explore interactive exhibits about humans, animals, plants, and microbes. The ticket is wheelchair accessible, free for children up to 12 at the museum, and includes the zoo planetarium.
“C’è una grande varietà di animali da poter vedere. È tutto molto ben tenuto e ben organizzato.”
Spend a full day at Eindhoven Zoo with entry for more than 96 animal species, including tigers, lions, elephants, rhinos, polar bears, penguins, chimpanzees, and meerkats. The compact park also has over 400 bird species, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, benches, and wheelchair access. Bring food, water, comfortable shoes, and a camera.
“Lots to see and you actually get to see them. The Tiger was the highlight for us especially with the way the zoo is arranged, it feels very close by to the animals.”
Pick a canal, a gallery or a road out of town.
