The Prague Zoo first opened on September 28, 1931. It is located by the Vltava River near the Trója Chateau in Prague 7 and is open year round. Its grounds are spread at the foot of a hill and climb up the hill, so you can enjoy beautiful views of the river and the city from the upper areas.
The Prague Zoo has been consistently ranked as one of the top 10 zoological gardens in the world by Forbes Traveler Magazine and Trip Advisor. The zoo was badly damaged in the 2002 flood. Lots of reconstruction was needed to turn it into one of the world’s best only five years later.
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Although the zoo is spread out, it also has an intimate feel. Be prepared to examine a tiger’s paw from inches away, share a bench with a lemur or exchange a face to face stare with a gorilla. Gravel paths, wooden boardwalks and lots of greenery make the area very pleasant to walk around. Children will enjoy the play areas that are scattered through the park, a petting zoo, a viewing train, and older kids will like the short chair-lift (with individual chairs). Parents with little ones can borrow a stroller or cart in which they can push or pull their kids around to give them a break from walking. Dogs are allowed in the zoo if kept on a leash.
Make a Day of It
The Prague Zoo is definitely worth a visit. You can see a lot in two to three hours or you can spend half a day watching the animals, visiting the different pavilions, having lunch in one of the restaurants or just relaxing with a cup of coffee while your kids play at the Bororo playground. For a full day out, you can combine your visit with a river cruise on the way there or back, seeing the Trója Chateau that’s literally across the street, or strolling through the Prague Botanical Garden that’s up on the hill nearby.
Getting to the Zoo
Take bus 112 from Nádraží Holešovice (Metro C) to the end of the line at Zoologická zahrada. You can also take a steamboat. The boat trip takes 75 minutes and the walk from the dock to the zoo an additional 15 – 20 minutes.
Check the zoo opening times, admission, and other information at www.zoopraha.cz.