Zurich Zoo
One of Europe's most progressive zoos, built into a forested Zurich hillside.
Zurich Zoo isn't just a place to see animals — it's one of the most thoughtfully designed wildlife parks in Europe, with a strong reputation for conservation, welfare, and habitat-led enclosures. Founded in 1929 and set across a wooded hillside in the Zürichberg district, it's home to around 380 species and has long been at the forefront of modern zoo philosophy. This is the kind of place that takes its role seriously, and it shows in how the animals are kept and how the spaces are designed.
The zoo's crown jewel is the Masoala Rainforest Hall, an enormous glass dome that recreates a Madagascan rainforest ecosystem — free-roaming lemurs, birds, and reptiles moving through dense tropical vegetation while you wander the paths below. It's genuinely immersive in a way that surprises most visitors. Beyond that, you'll find a walk-through aviary, a purpose-built elephant park with a multi-generational herd, and strong populations of big cats, snow leopards, gorillas, and Asian elephants. The Lewa Savanna section, opened in 2020, brings together giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and meerkats in a sprawling African landscape that's one of the best of its kind in Central Europe.
The zoo sits on a hillside, so expect some uphill walking — sturdy shoes help. Allow at least half a day, more if you have kids in tow. Tram 6 from the city centre drops you almost at the entrance, making it very easy to reach without a car. Midweek visits are notably quieter than weekends, and the zoo gets busy in summer — arriving when it opens at 9am gets you the most peaceful experience with animals that tend to be more active in the cooler morning hours.