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Budapest Zoo

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Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden
(Fővárosi Állat- és Növénykert)

A place where regardless of age, everyone finds something entertaining! In Budapest Zoo you can see more than 2000 animals from the African savannah to the arctic area.

All animals live within conditions similar to their original habitats.

Small sandy dessert area, tiny forest, seaside, lakes, rock cave provide real homes for the inhabitants of the zoo, who really look well taken care of.

Extensive green patches, leafy groves, remarkable plants and flowers make the place a refreshing asylum within a bustling city.

Budapest Zoo is a must-see attraction for tourists coming to our city with their kids.

Two stone elephants guard
the entrance of Budapest Zoo

History of Budapest Zoo
Top Attractions
General Information (Opening hours, tickets)
Attractions Near the Zoo

A Bit of Budapest Zoo History

As one of the oldest zoos in the world, Budapest Zoo looks back on great past and many of its monuments witnessed historic events.

It opened in 1866 as a private institution. The city took over the place at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries and started an impressive development.

The most remarkable buildings of the zoo were established at that time:

the India-inspired Elephant House (by Kornél Neuschloss) with a look-out tower at its top

the elephant head at the main entrance

the nearly 100-year old artificial Small and Great Rocks (currently under reconstruction)

the animal houses by Károly Koós

Most parts of the zoo underwent reconstructions during the decades. Some sections are being restored now and in the co
ming years too. Two new aviaries, the Papuan Aviary and the Parrot Haven have been added in 2006. The polar pears and sea-lions moved to their renewed home called Arctic Panorama in June 2006.

Flamingos

Flamingos at a serene lake

Top Attractions in Budapest Zoo

The recently restored Elephant House to the right of the entrance has a small tower at its top where you can get a beautiful panorama view of the City Park.

Fine Zsolnay ceramic tiles decorate the oriental style building's walls. The Europa Nostra organization awarded the Elephant House with an European Heritage Award “for the sensitive and precise restoration of a remarkable example of Hungarian Art Nouveau”.

To the left of the entrance stands the Palm Tree House & Aquarium, home to lush tropical plants, orchids, birds, and reptiles and exotic fishes.

For the little ones the animal petting area is the most fascinating place within the zoo. They can caress and feed the goats, sheep. See our photos about our 2-year old son's encounter with the animals.

The Zsolnay-tiled Elephant House

Animal petting at Budapest Zoo

Our son petting the goats

the remodelled birdhouse (by Kós Károly)

in the Small Rock you can hav a meal in the cave restaurant

You can see native Hungarian farm animals in original-looking farm buildings: swallow bellied woolly pigs, bold necked hens, spotted cattle, mudi dogs, cikta sheep, hucul horse.

In the butterfly garden colourful butterflies

the Majomvilág (World of Apes) gives home to gorillas, lemurs, mangabeys

kids can climb, crawl, slide in a superb and child-friendly playground

TIP: In summer plenty extra programs and competitions keep you and your kids entertained. The Musical Evenings in Budapest Zoo, (7th July - 18th August 2010) with jazz, klezmer and other light music concerts make your visit even more memorable.

Concerts are held on every Wednesday between 7th July- 18th August 2010 and usually start at 20.30 but the gate opens at 19.00 so you can take a walk in the gardens and visit the Palm House and the Aquarium. Tickets: 2900 HUF, it can be bought at the cashiers in the Zoo.

The Bird House

Should you get peckish during your exploration of the zoo you can get snacks, ice cream and other refreshments from the vendors.

General Need to Knows about Budapest Zoo

Address: Állatkerti krt. 6-12, Budapest City Park (Városliget), XIV. district,

Getting there:

take the M1 (yellow) metro line, get off at Széchenyi fürdő stop or

trolley bus 72 (Állatkert stop), or 75, 79 ( Állatkerti út stop)

Admission: 1350 HUF for Budapest Card holders (one card entitles to one discount ticket purchase)

TIP: Buy your Budapest card in advance through a secure online booking system. The card entitles you to discount admission to many attractions including thermal baths and museums. You can also travel on the public transport system free with your card. The 48-hour card costs 6300 HUF, the 72-hour one is 7500 HUF.

Adults: 1850 HUF

Children (2-14 years), students and pensioners: 1290 HUF
(Children under 14 years cannot enter the Zoo without adult supervision.)

Family ticket (2 adults & 2 or 3 children): 5290 HUF

Tickets are valid to the Aquariaum and to the Palm House too.

Opening Hours of the Budapest Zoo:

January - February:       9.00 - 16.00 every day

March: Mon - Thurs: 9.00 - 17.00, Fri -Sun: 9.00 - 17.30

April: Mon - Thurs: 9.00 - 17.30, Fri -Sun: 9.00 - 18.00

May: Mon - Thurs: 9.00 - 18.30, Fri -Sun: 9.00 - 19.00

June-July-August: Mon - Thurs: 9.00 - 18.30, Fri -Sun: 9.00 - 19.00

September: Mon - Thurs: 9.00 - 17.30, Fri -Sun: 9.00 - 18.00

October: Mon - Thurs: 9.00 - 17.00, Fri -Sun: 9.00 - 17.30

November-December: 9.00 - 16.00 every day, except: 24th December and 31st December when the zoo is open from 9.00 till 13.00.

Note: The cashier closes 1 hour, the animal houses close 30 minutes before the closing time of the Zoo!

TIP: try to time your visit on a weekday (Monday is perfect because many things are closed on Monday but not the Zoo), on weekends locals and tourists overrun the Zoo.

View pictures about our visit in the Zoo in the Photo Gallery!

Visit the official website of the Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden.

Other Attractions Near Budapest Zoo

You can devote a whole day to the City Park and its neighbourhood. I recommend that you combine visiting the Zoo with a trip to the Amusement Park next door, have lunch in Bagolyvár Restaurant or at Robinson's (make sure you book a table at both places, click to read more about these restaurants). After lunch go rowing (skating in winter) on the Park's lake then view the fairy-tale like Vajdahunyad Castle.

Do spare some time to take a look at the grandiose monuments at Heroes' Square and perhaps drop by the two museums flanking the two sides of the square (the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hall of Art) both have remarkable art collections.

Find out about other interesting children-things-to-do in Budapest.

Return from Budapest Zoo to Homepage of Budapest Travel and Tourist Guide.