Top 10 best zoos in Europe you NEED to visit, RANKED (2024)

Calling all animal lovers, you do not want to miss the top ten best zoos in Europe. Grab your passport and get ready to jet off to these must-visit zoos.

Europe is blessed with beautiful wildlife, with zoos across the continent showcasing Europe’s famous animals.

Whether you are planning a family trip or a solo adventure across Europe, a trip to the zoo should be on your itinerary.

Read on to discover the top ten best zoos in Europe.

Table of Contents

Calling all animal lovers, you do not want to miss the top ten best zoos in Europe. Grab your passport and get ready to jet off to these must-visit zoos.
Some interesting facts about the best zoos in Europe:
- 10. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, England – a hidden gem
- 9. Artis, Amsterdam, Netherlands – add this to your bucket list
- 8. Chester Zoo, England – one of the best zoos in Europe
- 7. Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland – located in the heart of the city
- 6. Palmitos Park, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain – go here for dolphin swimming
- 5. Zoologischer Garten, Berlin, Germany – so many animals to see
- 4. La Palmyre, Les Mathews – a fantastic zoo experience
- 3. Prague Zoo, Czech Republic – one of the best zoos in Europe
- 2. Zoo Basel, Switzerland – for amazing views
- 1. Vienna Zoo, Austria – the best zoo in Europe you need to visit
Your questions about the best zoos in Europe answered
- What is the most beautiful zoo in Europe?
- What is the largest zoo in Europe?
- How many zoos are there in Europe?
- What is the most visited zoo in Europe?

Some interesting facts about the best zoos in Europe:

Vienna Zoo is the oldest in Europe, having officially opened way back in 1752.
The most frequented zoo in all of Europe is Berlin’s Zoological Garden.
Spain’s Barcelona Zoo has been credited for protecting endangered species such as the Iberian Lynx, highlighting one of the main benefits of zoos.
The Apenahaul Primate Park in Holland also has a focus on endangered primate species.
From its inception in the early 19^th century, London Zoo helped to establish the Zoological Society of London.

10. Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, England – a hidden gem

Ranking the tenth-largest zoo in Europe, Paignton Zoo’s conservation mission aims to promote the importance of caring for our planet.

Not only does Paignton offer guided tours, but you will also learn how we can do our bit in helping protect endangered species.

An educational visit that is worth it for all the family!

Address: Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 7EU

9. Artis, Amsterdam, Netherlands – add this to your bucket list

Famous for its beautiful canals surrounding the iconic architecture in the city centre, Amsterdam’s Zoo is a must-see during your trip.

Bring a picnic or try out one of the nearby cafes for a day out that you won’t forget.

8. Chester Zoo, England – one of the best zoos in Europe

Forbes Magazine called Chester Zoo one of the 15 best zoos to visit in the world, and it is no wonder with a whopping 27,000 animals living in the area.

The award-winning charity zoo has so much to offer, such as boat trips along the river. Be sure to check out the lanterns event running throughout Autumn.

Address: Chester, CH2 1EU

7. Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland – located in the heart of the city

Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland makes our list of the top ten zoos in Europe you need to visit. Partly because this is the only place in the U.K. where you can see Koala’s; how cute!

Looking for Halloween plans? Head to the zoo after dark to experience the scary illuminated trail… good luck.

Read more: our review of the best free things to do in Edinburgh

Address: Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, 134 Corstorphine Rd, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS

6. Palmitos Park, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain – go here for dolphin swimming

Sun, sea, and elefantes. A fantastic zoo experience situated in an island paradise; Gran Canaria does not disappoint.

Palmitos is also famous for being one of the most popular dolphinariums in Spain, so if that is on your bucket list to see some of the world’s friendliest animals, Palmito’s is the perfect place.

Address: Barranco de los Palmitos, s/n, 35109 Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Spain

5. Zoologischer Garten, Berlin, Germany – so many animals to see

Zoologischer Garten in Germany is one of the best zoos in Europe, and indeed the world, you need to visit. With an impressive 20,200 animals, including polar bears and lemurs, this is a must-do on our list.

Make sure to visit The World of Birds to discover the range of feathery friends inhabiting the zoo. The illuminating colours of the Hyacinth Macaws are not one you want to miss. Berlin is one of the best German cities in general and well worth a visit, especially with its free museums.

Read more: our review of the biggest zoos in the world

Address: Hardenbergpl. 8, 10787 Berlin, Germany

4. La Palmyre, Les Mathews – a fantastic zoo experience

Located in the Southwest of France, La Palmyre Zoo actively participates in European Endangered Species Programmes.

With conservation at heart, La Palmyre is the place to be.

Address: 6 Avenue de Royan, 17570 Les Mathes

3. Prague Zoo, Czech Republic – one of the best zoos in Europe

Located close to Troja Castle, Prague Zoo is easily accessible to those staying in the city and a great place to go in if you are visiting Prague with kids!

Committed to protecting endangered species across the country, we love their core values and think it is one of the best zoos in Europe you need to visit.

With more than 800 species, you will be wildly entertained in Prague.

Address: U Trojského zámku 120/3, 171 00 Praha 7, Czechia.

2. Zoo Basel, Switzerland – for amazing views

Spectacular mountain views and shimmering icy lakes make Switzerland a popular destination for tourists. However, this is not all Switzerland has to get excited about.

Zoo Basel is renowned for being one of the best zoos you need to visit in Europe. Due to its beautiful landscape with so much to explore, Basel is well worth a visit.

They even have hosted weddings at the zoo, with room for up to 460 guests.

Read also: our review of the best cities to visit in Switzerland

Address: Binningerstrasse 40, 4054 Basel, Switzerland

1. Vienna Zoo, Austria – the best zoo in Europe you need to visit

Our number one spot must be Vienna Zoo, with beautiful grounds and over 8,500 animals to see; we love this zoo and think you will too.

Open 365 days a year; you cannot miss this zoo experience. Enjoy!

Address: Maxingstraße 13b, 130 Wien, Austria

Your questions about the best zoos in Europe answered

If you still have questions, we have you covered! In this section, we’ve compiled some of our readers’ most frequently asked questions and popular questions that have been asked online about this topic.

What is the most beautiful zoo in Europe?

Most zoos in Europe are beautiful, but it may boil down to a choice between the Schonbrunn Zoo in Austria or Zoo Parc de Beauval in France.

What is the largest zoo in Europe?

The Berlin Zoological Garden in Germany is Europe’s largest zoo.

How many zoos are there in Europe?

It is difficult to give an exact estimate, but some have estimated it to range over 1,000 zoos.

What is the most visited zoo in Europe?

The Berlin Zoological Garden also takes this prize.

FAQs

Pairi Daiza has multiple timesbeen awarded the title “Best Zoo in Europe” and is certified with “Three Stars” in the Michelin Green Guide. You can explore this unique garden in one day or during a stay close to the animals' habitats.

Prague Zoo – Czechia

Prague Zoo is one of the most well-known and respected zoological gardens in Europe. Established in 1931 and having undergone significant developments and expansions over the years, it is known for its commitment to modern and ethical zoo practices.

The Tierpark in the Berlin district Lichtenberg is the largest zoo in Europe. It is best to plan a whole day for your visit. Over 8,000 animals live on an area of 160 hectares and there are about 650 different animal species in total - from the Malaysian bear to polar bears.

1 – San Diego Zoo, USA

Founded in 1916, San Diego Zoo houses more than 3,500 animals across 650 different species and has often been awarded as one of the best zoos in the world.

Whales and orca swim in the oceans around the Azores, Canary Islands and Iceland. You can track brown bears and lynx in the Carpathian Mountains, wolves in the French Alps in winter, polar bears in Spitsbergen, and bison in Poland. Bird watching is a European passion, too.

Schönbrunn Zoo (German: Tiergarten Schönbrunn; also simply called Vienna Zoo) is a 17-hectare (42-acre) zoo in the city of Vienna, Austria. Established in 1752, it is the world's oldest zoo still in operation.

While visiting a safari tends to be more ethical than supporting zoos and circuses that over-breed and abuse wildlife for entertainment, it's important to do your research to ensure your time and money are going to sustainable safaris.

Zoo Berlin became world famous with the birth of polar bear cub Knut. By that time, Zoo Berlin had grown into the most species-rich zoo in the world.

The Serengeti Park Hodenhagen is the largest safari park in Europe.

Here are the winners of USA Today's “10 Best Zoos in the U.S.” in 2024: Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium – Omaha, Nebraska. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden – Cincinnati, Ohio. North Carolina Zoo – Asheboro, North Carolina.

1. San Diego Zoo | San Diego, CA. Renowned across the country, San Diego's zoo, founded in 1916, is home to over 12,000 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies.

Switzerland. Switzerland, officially called the Swiss Confederation, is a small country in Central Europe made up of 16,000 square miles of glacier-carved Alps, lakes and valleys. It is one of the world's wealthiest countries, and has been well-known for centuries for its neutrality.

Ranked among the 5 most beautiful zoos in the world, it is considered the most beautiful in France. Located in Loire-et-Cher in Saint-Aignan. It hosts more than 800 species, some of which are unique in France.