Description

Essentials about the Berlin Zoological Garden in brief

The Berlin Zoological Garden is an absolute highlight of a visit to Berlin not only for animal fans. After all, it is both the oldest zoo in Germany and the most species-rich zoo in the world. Another superlative of the zoo is its aquarium, as it is the largest show aquarium in Europe. Almost 20,000 animals from around 1,400 species live in the zoological garden’s 33-hectare area – from elephants to big cats and gorillas, almost everything is represented here. The giant pandas are a favorite of the public and unique in Germany.

The history of the Berlin Zoological Garden

The history of the Berlin Zoological Garden goes back to the famous natural scientist Alexander von Humboldt, the African explorer Martin Hinrich Lichtenstein and the horticultural director Peter Joseph Lenné, who campaigned for the opening of a zoo in the mid-19th century. After only three years of construction, the zoo designed by Lenné finally opened its doors in 1844. The zoo’s first inhabitants were animals donated by King Frederick William IV from the menagerie and pheasantry in the zoo.

Over time, the zoo grounds were rebuilt and expanded several times. A sad fate befell the zoo during World War II. Air raids destroyed a large part of the grounds and of the formerly more than 3,700 animals, only 91 survived. Today, the Berlin Zoological Garden shines in new splendor and is one of the most popular attractions in the German capital with more than three million visitors annually.

The animals and enclosures at the Berlin Zoological Garden

Although there is something interesting to see at every turn in the Berlin Zoo, the following animal facilities are definitely worth a visit: The Zoo Aquarium is home to approximately 16,000 fish, insects, amphibians and reptiles from over 900 species. The highlight of the aquarium is certainly the shark tank, which holds 130,000 liters of water.

The Monkey House is home to the great apes (organ-utans, gorillas and chimpanzees) and other monkey species. The Hippopotamus House, whose roof consists of a glass double dome, is one of the most modern animal houses in the world. Visitors can watch the animals during their underwater walks through panoramic glass windows.

The Bird House, newly opened in 2016, displays the bird life of Asia and Africa in two free-flight halls. And last but not least, the zoo is home to many exotic animals as well as German domestic breeds, some of which can be petted and fed in the animal children’s zoo.

Website

zoo-berlin.de

Opening hours

Opening hours Jan. – Feb. and Nov. – Dec.

Admission fees

For information on group and annual tickets, see the zoo website.

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

S3, S5, S7 and S9: Stop Zoologischer Garten

U2, U3 and U9: Stop Zoologischer Garten

Bus lines 100, 109, 110, 200, 204, 245, A05, M45, M46, M49, N1, N2, N9, N10, N26, RB14, RE1, X9, X10 and X34: Stop Zoologischer Garten

By car:

There are a number of parking garages in the vicinity of the Berlin Zoological Garden.