Diergaarde Blijdorp, known in English as Rotterdam Zoo, is the city’s great family day out and a fine choice in any season. The zoo dates back to the 1850s and moved to its present park in the Blijdorp district in 1940, and today it is laid out by continent across a large green site a short distance from the main station. The headline is the Oceanium, a fully covered aquarium where a tunnel takes you under sharks, rays and sea turtles, which makes the zoo a strong rainy-day option. Elsewhere you can watch a family of gorillas on their island, polar bears, elephants, tigers and red pandas, giraffes on the savanna and sea lions, and walk through Amazonica, a warm greenhouse full of butterflies. Playgrounds, cafés and plenty of benches make it easy with children. This page links to the Tiqets skip-the-line ticket, which lets you walk past the ticket desk.
How to visit: the zoo is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. Visitors on foot or by bus use the entrance on Van Aerssenlaan, served by bus 44 to the Diergaarde Blijdorp stop, and it is an easy walk or short bike ride from Rotterdam Centraal. Drivers use the Blijdorplaan entrance with a paid car park. The Tiqets ticket is a smartphone ticket scanned at the gate, and it can be cancelled or rescheduled until the evening before your visit.
What to expect: the zoo is large, so plan a loop rather than trying to see every enclosure. Start with the Oceanium if the weather is poor, since it is entirely indoors, and save the outdoor areas for brighter spells. In winter, some animals spend more time indoors and the park is quieter, which means shorter queues for the most popular houses. The site is wheelchair accessible, and there are several places to eat, though bringing a picnic is a good way to keep costs down.
Making the most of it: arrive at opening, when the animals are often most active, and check the feeding times posted at the entrance. A full day is realistic for families with young children, while adults can see the highlights in three to four hours and still have time for the Euromast or the Markthal in the afternoon.
What to expect
The experience
A large zoo laid out by continent, with a fully covered aquarium, a butterfly greenhouse, big animal enclosures, playgrounds and cafés.
Best time
At opening on a weekday, when the animals are active and before the school groups arrive.
How long
Three to four hours for the highlights, a full day with young children.
Tips
Use the skip-the-line ticket, head for the Oceanium first if it rains, and check the feeding times posted at the entrance.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and animal lovers, and anyone who needs a dependable rainy-day plan with the indoor Oceanium.
- Families
- It is the best family day in the city, with playgrounds, gorillas, polar bears and a shark tunnel.
- Couples
- A quiet winter weekday visit is surprisingly peaceful, especially in the warm butterfly house.
- Pair with
- The Euromast or the Markthal in the afternoon, both a short tram or metro ride away.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day.
Good questions
What are Rotterdam Zoo’s opening hours?+
The zoo is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. Opening times can be longer in summer, so check the zoo’s own website for special dates.
How do I get to Rotterdam Zoo from the station?+
Bus 44 runs to the Diergaarde Blijdorp stop by the Van Aerssenlaan entrance. The zoo is also an easy walk or a short bike ride from Rotterdam Centraal.
Is Rotterdam Zoo good on a rainy day?+
Yes, the Oceanium is fully covered, with a tunnel under sharks and turtles, and the butterfly greenhouse is indoors too. Several animal houses are also under cover.
Can I cancel a Rotterdam Zoo ticket from Tiqets?+
Yes, the skip-the-line ticket can be cancelled or rescheduled until 23:59 on the day before your visit. After that it is fixed.
Is there parking at Rotterdam Zoo?+
Yes, drivers use the Blijdorplaan entrance, where there is a paid car park. Public transport is usually easier from the city centre.
