Plan Your Zoo Day: The 6 Best Animal Parks in the Netherlands
August 23, 2026
The Netherlands punches well above its weight when it comes to world-class animal parks. For a country roughly the size of West Virginia, it is home to some of Europe’s most celebrated zoos—places where immersive ecosystems, groundbreaking conservation work, and pure family fun collide in one extraordinary day out.
Whether you are planning a weekend trip with young children, looking for a solo wildlife adventure, or searching for a unique date-day experience, the best zoos in the Netherlands offer something genuinely special at every turn. From free-roaming primates to open savanna drives and century-old city zoos, the variety across these six parks is remarkable.
In this guide, you will explore the six best animal parks the Netherlands has to offer, with everything you need to know to plan your visit—highlights, must-see animals, practical tips, and what makes each one truly worth the trip.
Pro Tip: Many Dutch zoos offer discounted tickets when booked online in advance. Always check the official website before you visit to save money and skip the queue.
1. Diergaarde Blijdorp / Rotterdam Zoo (Rotterdam)
If you are looking for a zoo that blends breathtaking architecture with extraordinary animal diversity, Diergaarde Blijdorp—commonly known as Rotterdam Zoo—should be at the very top of your list. Founded in 1857, this is one of the oldest and most respected zoological gardens in the Netherlands, and it continues to raise the bar for what a modern zoo can be.
The zoo is home to more than 160 animal species spread across beautifully themed geographical zones. You can wander from the lush Asian rainforest pavilion—where Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) prowl behind panoramic glass—to the African savanna, where giraffes stretch their necks against a surprisingly convincing open-sky backdrop. The Oceanium, one of Europe’s largest indoor ocean tunnels, lets you walk beneath sharks, rays, and schools of tropical fish in a genuinely immersive experience that children absolutely love.
Blijdorp is also deeply committed to conservation. The zoo actively participates in European breeding programs for endangered species, making your visit more than just a fun day out—it directly supports wildlife preservation efforts around the globe.
- Location: Van Aerssenlaan 49, Rotterdam
- Best for: Families, first-time zoo visitors, ocean and big cat enthusiasts
- Standout exhibit: The Oceanium underwater tunnel
- Tip: Arrive early to catch feeding sessions at the Oceanium—they fill up fast
Key Insight: Rotterdam Zoo’s Oceanium is one of the largest freshwater and saltwater aquarium complexes in Europe, housing over 3,000 animals across 150 species in a single immersive building.
2. Burgers’ Zoo (Arnhem)
Burgers’ Zoo in Arnhem is widely regarded as one of the most innovative zoos in the world, and once you step inside, it is easy to understand why. Rather than traditional enclosures, Burgers’ Zoo has pioneered the concept of “eco-displays”—enormous, climate-controlled biomes that recreate entire natural ecosystems with stunning accuracy.
The crown jewel is Burgers’ Bush, the world’s largest indoor tropical rainforest. Walking through it feels less like visiting a zoo and more like stepping into the Amazon itself. Free-flying birds, crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), and hundreds of tropical plant species fill a space so vast that natural rain falls from the ceiling. Alongside Bush, you will find Burgers’ Desert, Burgers’ Ocean, and Burgers’ Mangrove—each a fully realized world unto itself.
What sets Burgers’ apart from almost any other zoo in Europe is the sheer scale of ambition. These are not exhibits—they are living, breathing ecosystems that house animals in conditions as close to their natural habitat as humanly possible. For animal lovers of any age, it is a profoundly moving experience.
| Eco-Display | Ecosystem Recreated | Highlight Species |
|---|---|---|
| Burgers’ Bush | Tropical rainforest | Pygmy hippopotamus, free-flying birds |
| Burgers’ Desert | North American desert | Prairie dogs, rattlesnakes |
| Burgers’ Ocean | Open ocean | Sharks, rays, sea turtles |
| Burgers’ Mangrove | Coastal mangrove | Manatees, mudskippers |
Pro Tip: Plan at least half a day for Burgers’ Zoo alone. The Bush biome is so large that most visitors underestimate how long they will spend inside it.
3. ARTIS Zoo (Amsterdam)
ARTIS Zoo holds the distinction of being the oldest zoo in the Netherlands and one of the oldest in all of Europe, having opened its gates in 1838. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, it is a remarkable combination of living museum, botanical garden, planetarium, and zoological park—all woven together within a stunning 19th-century landscape that feels like a step back in time.
The zoo is home to more than 700 animal species, including African lions (Panthera leo), gorillas, penguins, and a dazzling array of reptiles and amphibians housed in one of the Netherlands’ finest aquarium buildings. The ARTIS Aquarium, built in 1882, features an extraordinary cross-section of an Amsterdam canal complete with live fish and urban wildlife—a uniquely Dutch touch that you will not find anywhere else in the world.
Beyond the animals, ARTIS offers a micropia—the world’s only museum dedicated entirely to microbes—and a full-scale planetarium. This makes it one of the most intellectually rich zoo experiences available anywhere in Europe, perfectly suited to curious kids and scientifically minded adults alike. Its central Amsterdam location also means you can combine a zoo visit with a broader city trip, making it an incredibly efficient use of a travel day.
- Location: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, Amsterdam
- Best for: City visitors, science enthusiasts, history lovers, families
- Standout exhibit: The Amsterdam canal cross-section in the ARTIS Aquarium
- Tip: The ARTIS Royal Zoo is easily reachable by tram from Amsterdam Centraal—no car needed
If you enjoy exploring animal experiences across the Netherlands, you might also be interested in reading about petting zoos in the Netherlands for a more hands-on family experience.
Key Insight: ARTIS is not just a zoo—it is a Royal Zoo, having received the Royal designation from the Dutch monarchy. Its historic grounds are listed as a national monument, making it one of the few zoos in the world with protected heritage status.
4. Safaripark Beekse Bergen (Hilvarenbeek)
If your family has ever dreamed of an African safari but cannot quite make the trip to Kenya, Safaripark Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek is the next best thing—and in some ways, it is even more accessible and family-friendly than the real thing. This is the largest safari park in the Netherlands and one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences in all of Benelux.
The park offers three distinct ways to explore its sweeping open landscapes: by car, by safari bus, or on foot via raised walkways. As you drive or ride through the park, you encounter free-roaming herds of African elephants (Loxodonta africana), white rhinos, zebras, cheetahs, and giraffes at remarkably close range. There are no barriers between your vehicle and the animals—just open grassland and the kind of raw, unscripted wildlife encounters that stay with you for years.
Beyond the safari drive, Beekse Bergen also features a separate walking safari area, a lake beach for summer days, and a dedicated children’s play zone. The park is part of the Libéma group, which also operates a holiday park on-site, making it an ideal destination for an overnight stay if you want to make the most of the experience.
| Safari Mode | Experience Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Car Safari | Self-drive through open enclosures | Families with young children, flexible pacing |
| Safari Bus | Guided group tour with commentary | Solo visitors, those without a car |
| Walking Safari | Raised walkways through animal zones | Photography enthusiasts, older children |
| Boat Safari | Water-level views of shoreline animals | Unique perspectives, summer visits |
Important Note: During the car safari, keep your windows closed and follow all park instructions carefully. Animals roam freely and can approach vehicles—this is part of the magic, but safety rules are strictly enforced for good reason.
Safaripark Beekse Bergen is located in the Noord-Brabant province, making it a great stop if you are traveling through the southern Netherlands. For those who love hands-on animal encounters, you might also enjoy exploring what animals you can typically find in petting zoos to complement your safari experience with something more interactive for younger visitors.
5. GaiaZoo (Kerkrade)
Tucked away in the rolling hills of South Limburg near the German border, GaiaZoo in Kerkrade is a hidden gem that consistently surprises first-time visitors with its quality, ambition, and sheer beauty. Opened in 2006, it is one of the newer zoos on this list, but it has quickly established itself as one of the most thoughtfully designed animal parks in the Netherlands.
GaiaZoo takes its name from the Greek goddess of Earth, and that environmental philosophy is woven into every corner of the park. The zoo is built around the concept of natural habitats, with animals housed in spacious, landscaped environments that closely mirror their wild counterparts. The star attraction is undoubtedly the gorilla habitat, where western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) live in a large, richly planted enclosure that gives them genuine space to climb, forage, and socialize.
The zoo also features snow leopards, Amur tigers, meerkats, and a popular children’s farm where young visitors can get up close with domestic animals. What makes GaiaZoo particularly special is its intimate scale—it is large enough to offer a full day of exploration but compact enough that you never feel overwhelmed or exhausted. The hilly terrain of the Limburg landscape adds a natural drama to the experience that flat-land zoos simply cannot replicate.
- Location: Standerbuiten 1, Kerkrade
- Best for: Families, primate enthusiasts, visitors in the southern Netherlands or crossing from Germany
- Standout exhibit: The western lowland gorilla habitat
- Tip: GaiaZoo is very close to the German border—easily combined with a trip to Aachen for a full weekend itinerary
Pro Tip: GaiaZoo’s hilly layout means comfortable walking shoes are a must. The terrain is part of its charm, but it can catch flat-shoe visitors off guard on a long visit day.
If GaiaZoo’s primate exhibits spark a deeper interest in animal behavior and intelligence, you might enjoy reading about the best animal documentaries to continue exploring the natural world from home.
6. Apenheul (Apeldoorn)
No list of the best zoos in the Netherlands would be complete without Apenheul, and for many families, it is the single most memorable animal park experience the country has to offer. Located in the forested outskirts of Apeldoorn, Apenheul is a specialist primate park unlike anything else in Europe—a place where the monkeys are not behind glass, but genuinely free to roam alongside you.
The park is home to more than 35 species of primates, and many of them live in open, unfenced woodland where they interact freely with visitors on the pathways below. Squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) are the most famous of these free-roaming residents—they will land on your shoulder, investigate your bag, and steal your snacks with cheerful impunity. It is a level of genuine, unscripted animal interaction that you simply cannot find at a conventional zoo, and children absolutely adore it.
Beyond the free-roaming species, Apenheul also houses larger primates in more structured habitats. Bonobo (Pan paniscus) families, chimpanzees, and a troop of gorillas all have expansive, naturalistic enclosures that allow for fascinating behavioral observation. The park’s deep commitment to primate research and conservation means that every exhibit is backed by genuine scientific expertise.
Key Insight: Apenheul is one of the few places in the world where you can walk through a forest with free-roaming primates. The park has been pioneering open primate habitats since 1971 and remains a global leader in primate welfare and research.
The forested setting of Apenheul also makes it one of the most visually beautiful parks on this list. Walking beneath a canopy of mature trees while woolly monkeys swing overhead is an experience that feels genuinely wild—a remarkable achievement for a park that sits within easy reach of a Dutch city center.
- Location: J.C. Wilslaan 21, Apeldoorn
- Best for: Families with children, primate enthusiasts, nature lovers
- Standout experience: Free-roaming squirrel monkeys on the open pathways
- Tip: Do not bring open food containers into the squirrel monkey zone—they are fast, clever, and entirely shameless about helping themselves
If Apenheul’s primate encounters inspire you to think more about keeping birds and animals at home, our guide to the best low-maintenance pet birds is a great place to start exploring companion animals that bring that same sense of lively, intelligent energy into your daily life.
Common Mistake: Many visitors underestimate how much time they will spend at Apenheul. The forested layout encourages slow, exploratory walking—plan for at least four to five hours to do the park justice, especially with children.
How to Choose the Right Zoo for Your Visit
With six outstanding options spread across the Netherlands, choosing which zoo to visit first can feel like a genuinely difficult decision. The good news is that each park has a distinct identity, which makes matching them to your interests and travel plans relatively straightforward.
If you are based in or near a major city, ARTIS in Amsterdam and Blijdorp in Rotterdam are the most convenient options and offer exceptional value for a half-day or full-day urban visit. If you are traveling with very young children who crave hands-on excitement and open-air adventure, Apenheul and Safaripark Beekse Bergen consistently deliver the most visceral, memorable moments. For families who want sheer scale and ecological ambition, Burgers’ Zoo in Arnhem stands alone as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And if you are exploring the south of the Netherlands or crossing from Belgium or Germany, GaiaZoo offers a beautifully crafted experience that punches well above its profile.
For visitors who want to extend their animal experiences beyond major zoos, the Netherlands also has a wonderful network of smaller animal parks and farms. Our guide to petting zoos in the Netherlands covers some of the best hands-on options for families with young children who want a more intimate animal encounter.
| Zoo | Best For | Signature Experience | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diergaarde Blijdorp | First-time visitors, ocean lovers | Oceanium underwater tunnel | Rotterdam |
| Burgers’ Zoo | Eco-enthusiasts, all ages | Indoor tropical rainforest biome | Arnhem |
| ARTIS Zoo | City visitors, science fans | Amsterdam canal aquarium cross-section | Amsterdam |
| Safaripark Beekse Bergen | Safari dreamers, families | Free-roaming African wildlife drive | Hilvarenbeek |
| GaiaZoo | Primate fans, southern travelers | Western lowland gorilla habitat | Kerkrade |
| Apenheul | Children, primate enthusiasts | Free-roaming squirrel monkeys | Apeldoorn |
No matter which park you choose, you are guaranteed a day filled with wonder, discovery, and the kind of up-close animal encounters that remind you just how extraordinary the natural world truly is. The best zoos in the Netherlands are not just tourist attractions—they are living institutions that educate, inspire, and protect wildlife for generations to come.