Zoo Karlsruhe is one of Germany’s oldest and best zoological gardens — a 22-hectare zoological park in the heart of Karlsruhe, Baden-Württemberg, that has been delighting visitors since 1865 and is consistently ranked among the most family-friendly and attractively landscaped zoos in the country. The zoo’s historic heart is the Stadtgarten, a beautiful English-style landscape park, and its modern exhibits include an African savannah zone, a polar bear enclosure, and a Himalayan exhibit for snow leopards and red pandas — all within walking distance of Karlsruhe’s city centre.

Quick Facts: Zoo Karlsruhe

• Best time to visit: Year-round; spring for baby animals; summer for the best weather and longest opening hours
• How to get there: The zoo is adjacent to Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof (main station) — easy access from anywhere in Germany by train; ~1 hour from Stuttgart, ~1.5 hours from Frankfurt
• Entry fee: ~€15 (adult); ~€8 (child)

Karlsruhe Zoo is one of the best and oldest zoological gardens in Germany. It is located in the city of Karlsruhe, in the south-western part of the country, close to French borders. Karlsruhe Zoo deserves special attention, since there are no fences or cages here. But you don’t have to be afraid, animals are separated by moats with water, dry branches or deep trenches.

Zoo Karlsruhe was founded in 1865 and now have more than 1000 animals representing 150 species. There are about 800 trees and more than 15,000 roses (300 different species).

Zoo Karlsruhe is thematically divided into 10 main sections:

• Water exposure (polar bears, penguins and seals)
• The African savanna (giraffes, zebras, antelopes, ostriches)
• Owl aviary
• Wild cats
• Pachydermata
• Australian animals
• Exposure to South America
• The world of birds
• Children’s Zoo

Among the most popular animals are polar bears. The first descendant of this representative of Arctic fauna was born in the zoo already in 1889. Your attention should be given also to penguins, Chinese leopards, emus, kangaroos, meerkats and giant tortoises. It is worth to see also a House of monkeys, with more than 30 species of primates.

Zoo Karlsruhe is open all year but the opening hours change frequently, so it is better to visit Official site of Zoo Karlsruhe before your visit. Basic whole-day ticket costs €5,50.

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Have you visited Zoo Karlsruhe or discovered Baden-Württemberg’s family attractions? Share your German zoo experiences in the comments! 🦁

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