The big cats, elephants, gorillas, zebras, meerkats, giraffes, and antelopes range freely in spacious enclosures of modern design at Artis, while the Wolf House occupies a former pub dating from the 19th century.
Artis holds keeper talks focused on one particular species and daily feedings for the sea lions, vultures, and penguins. Entrance includes admission to the greenhouses and zoological and geological museums as well as the planetarium, where 3D movies are shown. Discounted admission is included in most city sightseeing passes.
Artis Amsterdam Royal Zoo is a must-visit for animal lovers and those traveling with children.
Keeper talks are not always in English, so check ahead of time at the ticket office, where daily timetables are posted.
Public guided tours are offered on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Purchasing tickets in advance is always cheaper than buying on-site.
Most of the zoo is wheelchair accessible, and a limited number of wheelchairs are available to borrow.
You can take tram number 14 from Amsterdam Centraal train station to the Artis stop, directly in front of the zoo. Tram lines 7 and 19 stop at Alexanderplein, a 10-minute walk away. The closest metro station is Waterlooplein (lines 51, 53, and 54), a 10-minute walk from the main entrance.
Artis is open every day, 365 days a year, though hours are slightly reduced in winter and on holidays. One of the best times to visit is during late-night openings on Saturday evenings from June through late August, which are often accompanied by live music.
One of the most impressive of the zoo’s compounds is the aquarium, built in 1882. It reveals a cross section of the murky waters of the city’s canals and houses more than 300 species of shark, eel, and shoals of tropical fish. The aquarium also holds a large part of the zoo’s art collection.
