The top 11 best zoos in the Netherlands
Do you dare to come face to face with roaring lions? Or with speedy sharks and clambering monkeys? Discover thousands of animal species on foot or by car. Along the savannah and polar regions, you'll encounter these creatures' natural habitats. Not sure which zoo is worth a visit? To help you out, we've listed eleven fantastic zoos. Read on!
Safari Park Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek
At a whopping 120 hectares, Beekse Bergen is the largest safari park in the Benelux region. This adventurous zoo in Brabant offers four different ways to go on safari and experience the wild animals up close. Explore the park or marvel at the scenery from the water. Can you spot the Big Five at Beekse Bergen?
The park is also the perfect base for a fun family day out. Besides discovering the animals, children can also burn off all their energy in the Playland. Climb the ropes of the exciting obstacle course in the Jungle Rush or jump to your heart's content at Bouncy Beach.
Even the very youngest can dive into Speelland for an afternoon of fun, from colorful blocks to an exciting ball pit. Beekse Bergen opens its doors to young and old alike for learning and playing.
Bird of prey safari
Are you not easily scared and love a thrill? Then join the thrilling bird of prey safari and admire swift birds of prey flying overhead. Let the large birds of prey land on your arm and have your picture taken as a true daredevil.
Beekse Bergen is open daily from 10am to 4.30pm.
Ouwehands Dierenpark in Rhenen
Take a world trip in your own country and discover all the unique animals at Ouwehands Zoo. At the entrance, you'll be greeted by the remarkable hornbills. Continue your walk and enter the unique Bear Forest, where rescued brown bears slowly awaken from their hibernation.
This unique zoo in Rhenen is the second-largest zoo in the Netherlands and offers countless exciting ways to learn more about animals. Admire the giant gorillas through the transparent walls during Gorilla Adventure or see the Asian giant pandas at Pandasia. Ouwehands Zoo is a fun day out for the whole family.
Climbing through the jungle in RavotAapia
Between animal spotting, there's also plenty of space to unwind. Relax with a delicious cup of coffee while the kids burn off some energy in a large play paradise. This expansive park is home to RavotAapia, an indoor playground spanning an impressive 4,000 m² and twelve meters high. Little ones will have a blast climbing and clambering like animals in the simulated jungle.
Ouwehands Zoo is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Diergaarde Blijdorp in Rotterdam
Step into the shoes of a vulture and watch from above as giraffes, zebras, and rhinos coexist on the African Plains. Discover how pygmy hippos behave in the wild in the African Jungle, or step into the sustainable North Sea where fish swim around your ears.
Iconic shark tunnel
Discover the world of dangerous sharks by walking beneath them in the iconic shark tunnel. Never before have you seen these cunning hunters of the sea swim by so closely! In this large Dutch aquarium, you'll find an impressive selection of diverse sea creatures. See, for example, flat rays moving across the aquarium floor, or the adorable starfish clinging to the rocks and sand, slowly moving forward. An exciting journey of discovery for all ages among all the swimming creatures of Diergaarde Blijdorp.
Blijdorp Zoo is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Apenheul in Apeldoorn
Want to see monkeys up close? You can at Apenheul, a fun zoo in Apendoorn. Stroll through the vast forests of Bolivia or explore the primates in the mysterious rainforest of Madagascar... More than 30 monkey species swing and clamber all around you, so keep an eye out!
Feeding presentations of the gorillas
You won't want to miss the gorilla feedings. From all sides, the gorillas emerge from the large enclosure to be fed. While they're eating, the zookeepers will tell you more about the king of the apes and how they survive in the wild. Take a seat on the wooden benches and admire these beautiful gorillas.
Climbing and scrambling
Apenheul wouldn't be Apenheul if you couldn't swing around like a monkey yourself. In the heart of the enormous park, you'll find numerous playgrounds with wooden houses where little ones can run wild. Slide down the gorilla slide at lightning speed or peek inside the towering wooden monkey head. You can also pick up a free treasure hunt at the entrance, which will send them on an adventure through the park. Go on an expedition and scratch off the squares with matching monkeys. Apenheul combines an exciting afternoon with an educational treasure hunt.
From March 20, 2026, Apenheul will be open every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Burgers' Zoo in Arnhem
Embark on a world tour in just one day in the heart of Arnhem. At Burgers' Zoo, embark on an adventurous journey of discovery through unique ecosystems around the world. In Burgers' Bush, step into an indoor tropical rainforest and experience how unique birds, butterflies, and reptiles navigate the humid jungle.
Then, visit the African Savannah, where you'll come face to face with the tallest giraffes on safari. Then, delve deep into the world of Burgers' Ocean. This aquarium is home to the most beautiful sea turtles, the most fearsome sharks, and colorful tropical fish.
Activities for busy bees
Discover even more animals during your world tour at Burgers' Zoo by joining in on the scavenger hunts. For curious little ones, there's also the chance to peek behind the scenes at the fascinating Burgers' Ocean. Learn about how the water is purified, how the saltwater is produced, and how light-sensitive the corals are. During a visit to Burgers' Zoo, you and your whole family will learn new facts about all sorts of animal species.
Burgers' Zoo is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Vogelpark Avifauna in Alphen aan den Rijn
Did you know that Avifauna cares for more than 230 exotic birds and animals? In this unique paradise, you'll walk among various bird species, such as white vultures and Dalmatian pelicans.
While the park may seem like a bird park, it's also home to other adorable creatures. Explore the habitat of the ring-tailed lemurs, or come face to face with the red pandas.
Activities
For an unforgettable experience, participate in the Lori Landings, where colorful lorikeets land on your hand to drink nectar. In the covered areas, birds flutter freely, allowing you to admire them up close. During the unique bird demonstrations, swift birds of prey demonstrate their hunting techniques, hornbills fly overhead, and macaws circle just above you above the pond. Meanwhile, the keepers share fascinating facts about these swift flyers.
Can't get enough of the adorable animals? Then book a meet and greet with the red pandas. Delve into the enclosure of these beautiful creatures and learn all sorts of interesting facts from the keepers. Discover all about the red panda during your visit to Avifauna.
Avifauna is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Starting April 1, 2026, the park will be open daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
DierenPark Amersfoort
DierenPark Amersfoort is Utrecht's best zoo for a day out with kids. Learn all about the most unusual creatures, from the yellow mongoose to the agouti, both creatures that dig their way through the sand. Besides more than 100 unique animal species, DierenPark Amersfoort also offers countless activities for the whole family. Go on an expedition together on the river and discover how giraffes and lemurs live on land from the bicycle boat.
The Dinosaur Forest
In the Dinosaur Forest, even the youngest explorers will embark on an unforgettable journey back in time to millions of years ago. The journey begins in the Triassic wetlands and continues through all the dinosaur eras. An educational and active outing for all ages!
Climb All Route
There are also plenty of ways to burn off energy and explore the park. Kids can climb to their heart's content on the Climb Everything trail, where they'll navigate underground caves, bridges, and a raft through the park. Discover all the animals up close and learn new facts.
Amersfoort Zoo is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo Emmen
A visit to WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo in Emmen takes you on a journey around the world. Never before have you seen the jungle, savanna, and the Arctic in a single day. At this zoo, you'll walk a unique route in each area, discovering countless animals. A fun day out for the whole family.
Three exciting areas
For an exciting afternoon, head to Jungola and explore the route past the stunning Monkey Ruins, the tropical Butterfly Temple, and the Rimbula River. A boat tour will take you along the banks of the lush jungle and past spider monkeys. Look around carefully; you might even see an elephant swimming by!
Visit Seringa for a true-to-life safari experience in the Netherlands. From your seat in the bus, you'll be so close to the giraffes that you can pet them. Make a stop at the Baboon Arena, where baboon statues greet you before walking under the large stone passageway and greeting the baboons.
Rain or shine, in Nortica you'll experience the icy cold of the Arctic. Take a test flight in Arctic 1, which takes you past melting ice caps and into the ocean. Back from the attraction, the sea lions are already waiting for you. They'll show you their best side while the keeper is happy to tell you all about these inquisitive creatures.
WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Eindhoven Zoo in Mierlo
At Eindhoven Zoo, an educational afternoon is the focus. Children encounter fascinating animals that they're happy to tell all about, from the African lion to the Asian small-clawed otter. The keepers even go the extra mile: animals like baby penguins are fed during feeding presentations while the keepers tell you all about the Arctic birds.
Lunch at the Smulrijk
Worked up an appetite after the feeding presentations? Enjoy a delicious lunch at Smulrijk in the zoo. From salty fries to freshly made sandwiches and delicious ice creams. Enjoy a delicious lunch inside the restaurant or dine on the outdoor terrace.
For a quick stop, stop by the Coffee Truck. Relax with a delicious cup of coffee while the kids play in the playground and slide down the elephant slide, all within view.
Eindhoven Zoo is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
ARTIS Amsterdam
ARTIS Amsterdam is a must-see on this list. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, ARTIS is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands. Here you can stroll among exotic animals like jaguars, Asian elephants, African penguins, and tropical flamingos, while also experiencing a piece of history in the old park. The park is not only a place to admire animals but also to learn about nature and species conservation.
ARTIS-Groote Museum
Besides a unique zoo, Artis also boasts a wonderful museum: the ARTIS-Groote Museum. Using thousands of examples, both large and small, you'll explore how humans, animals, plants, and microbes share a single ecosystem. Embark on a journey of discovery and immerse yourself in nature, or listen to an engaging audio tour so you don't miss a thing.
ARTIS is a fun day out for families. Children can play in the playground, and parents can relax in the beautiful surrounding park, filled with the most beautiful pink flamingos.
Artis Amsterdam is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
ZooParc Overloon
Embark on a journey of discovery at ZooParc Overloon, Brabant's best zoo! During this fascinating outing, you'll learn all sorts of new facts about over 80 unique animal species and attend entertaining feeding presentations.
Admire the kangaroos hopping by in the Outback or seek out the thrills of the lion feedings. These impressive carnivores can be found in Ngorongoro. Then, continue to the giraffe feeding. No meat for them, just delicious branches that they feast on time and again.
On expedition
Pick up your own animal guide at the entrance for a unique journey of discovery through the park. Wander through all the different areas, solve the questions and puzzles, and collect all the stamps. During this exciting expedition, you'll start among the penguins at Boulders Beach. Halfway through, you'll be surrounded by lemurs in Itampolo and come face to face with tigers in Jangalee.
Keeper for a day
Ever wanted to step into the shoes of a zookeeper? You can! During Keeper for a Day, you'll lend a hand to the keepers caring for the animals. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look and visit places you wouldn't normally see as a visitor.
ZooParc Overloon is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
