Blijdorp Zoo Entry Ticket Rotterdam

Rotterdam Zoo (Diergaarde Blijdorp) and how to visit

Diergaarde Blijdorp, usually called Rotterdam Zoo in English, is the city's main wildlife park and one of the oldest zoos in the Netherlands, dating back to the nineteenth century. It sits in the Blijdorp district, just north of the centre, and combines historic buildings with large, modern habitats that recreate forest, savanna, polar and coastal landscapes. Many visitors choose Rotterdam Zoo tickets as a full-day plan, and it is easy to fill several hours.

Getting to the zoo from the centre is quick: Rotterdam Blijdorp station and the nearby metro and tram stops are only a few minutes from Rotterdam Centraal, and the entrance is within a short stroll of them. Opening hours change by season, so check the hours for your date before you travel. Start with the biggest attractions, then see the rest at leisure.

Arctica and the Ice Cave

Arctica is the polar zone of the zoo, built to show the Arctic with its ice, cold water and open space. The headline animals are the polar bears, and the Ice Cave lets you look at them through large windows, including a view of the bears swimming underwater when they are active. It is a quiet, cool area that is especially welcome on warm days, and it tends to be a favourite with children.

Information boards explain how the Arctic climate is changing and why protecting it matters, which links nicely to the conservation work the zoo supports in the wild. Spend about twenty to thirty minutes here, and go early or late in the day if you prefer a calmer view.

The Oceanium

The Oceanium is a large covered aquarium zone that takes you on a journey over the sea floor and along the coast. You pass tanks with fish from herring to sharks, turtles and rays, and the route continues to coastal creatures such as puffins and a colony of king penguins. Because the Oceanium is indoors, it works well in rain, and it is a smart choice if you are wondering what to do at the zoo in bad weather.

The sharks and the long underwater tunnel views are the highlights, and the lighting and sound create a calm atmosphere. Plan around forty-five minutes here and take your time at the penguin enclosure, where feeding times and behaviour make for good photographs.

The African savanna, gorillas and Asia

The African area is an exciting path that takes you safely past a group of crocodiles, then rises to a high walkway where you stand at eye level with giraffes. From there you can watch zebras, ostriches, hyenas and meerkats in a wide, open habitat. A little further on, the gorilla island lets you watch a family of lowland gorillas play and groom each other, and you can see the rare okapi, sometimes called a forest giraffe.

Asia is the zone to explore after Africa, with marshland areas and animals from the Asian forests and wetlands in natural-style surroundings. The zoo is also involved in international breeding programmes for endangered species. A full visit that includes Arctica, the Oceanium, Africa and Asia takes most of a day, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water.