Prague Zoo is one of the oldest and largest zoos in Europe. It is located in the vicinity of Prague and is undoubtedly considered a mega-popular tourist destination. I was there forcibly, as, in principle, I try to visit all the zoos in all the places where I found myself.
Not because I'm a fan of animals and this kind of entertainment in general. But because this is the only available way to watch them live, and in general - do not forget that they exist not only on TV. I must admit that I really like some of the animals, for example, cute ones like penguins or seals..
The content of the article
- one Zoo in Prague
- 2 Jungle Pavilion
- 3 Historical reference
- 4 Information to visit
- five How to get there
- 6 On the map
Zoo in Prague
Modern, well-equipped, and attention is paid to every corner here - in this regard, I really liked the zoo. Some of the animals less adapted to the local climate are hidden in the pavilions. The rest are free to walk in open enclosures. This is not a petting zoo, so you have to look at the animals in the enclosures through the fence.
This is not always convenient - the distances here can be huge, and animals do not always like to hang out on the side of the audience. We have to use the zoom on phones and cameras to see the inhabitants of such a site..
Prague Zoo
First of all, the zoo in Prague will be interesting for children, so when visiting Prague with your family it will be the Number One Place for your children to entertain. Well, it is possible that people who are interested or with a certain temperament will also like it there. Even from the experience of my visit, I can say that there were not so many children as there were adults. Although I do not exclude that it was not the most children's season - winter, after all.
Toilets are well placed throughout the territory, and not plastic bio-booths, but full-fledged capital buildings with all the amenities and equipment. There are several good restaurants, a couple of outdoor playgrounds and a separate Children Zoo. You can travel around the zone by tram for 10 CZK. To prevent children from getting so tired, you can rent a wooden trolley or a folding stroller for them, and for free.
Children Zoo also has a couple of enclosures for contact with domesticated animals - food for them is sold in vending machines. Depending on the season (in summer, of course, the zoo is better), you will have two main options - the time of visit and the list of animals seen. For example, in December I saw a half-empty zoo. Perhaps I was unlucky with the time of the visit, and the animals were just sleeping in a shelter, or maybe they were already hidden from the seasonal cold..
Well, there is also such a moment as winter nature, which does not look as cheerful as it can be observed in summer. Nevertheless, my review of the zoo is entirely positive. Of the important points, it is worth considering the fact that the entire Prague Zoo is located on a hill. Therefore, it may be worth grabbing a stroller for a child. Well, in principle, keep in mind that when planning the time of your visit, the slide will slow you down.
When entering the zoo, it is better to buy a map that will help you cut off unwanted routes and save visiting time. So you can see really interesting animals, and not wool the whole zoo.
I would also like to say about the winter period. Directly at the top of the hill, in my opinion, there are the fewest animals, and most of the enclosures are empty. Therefore, if you have limited time, then maybe you shouldn't climb to the very top. Of the animals, I liked the penguins and seals the most, but I'm probably not original here..
There is a plate and description of the hyena, but there is no hyena
Zoo in Prague
It is much more interesting to watch tigers and lions while feeding, because not every day you see a tiger gnawing a bone. But the feeding time happens only a few times a day, so you need to guess and search the network for information about the feeding schedule. When I was in the tiger pavilion, they were fed there at 2 pm.
I saw a lot of animals: camels, kangaroos, wolves, hyenas, cheetahs, monkeys, horses, goats, deer, antelopes, elk, there is a separate alley with elephants. In general, these are all beautifully done, with stones, wood elements, and there are several more Buddhist statues and pagodas nearby. Well, I will not list all the animals, there are really a lot of them, even for the winter period, and this number will be enough for you to spend time with interest..
Kangaroo at Prague Zoo
I was impressed by the large enclosure for giraffes - just the whole field is allotted for them, and I just don't know if they are released in winter. I only saw them in a room with huge glass. And next to the giraffes there is a small pavilion with meerkats - very funny animals with funny habits: they are constantly looking for something, looking somewhere, afraid of something.
I saw a lot of cages with birds, but I'm not interested in birds, so I didn't really photograph them or look at them. There is a separate indoor pavilion, classy, large, with birds and vegetation - it was closed for reconstruction. The zoo has an observation tower with views of Prague and the surrounding hills..
Approximately the same view opens from the top of the hill, which stretches from north to south. There is also a funicular for those who are too lazy to climb to the very top. That is, as an option, you can climb the hill using a chair lift, and then, without much effort, go down on foot in circles. True, he is lucky not to the very top, but approximately to the middle of the hill, so you have to choose in which direction, then go. In winter, the funicular does not work, by the way.
View of Prague from the zoo
Jungle Pavilion
I highly recommend visiting the Indonesian Jungle Pavilion - a large pavilion with a glass dome, inside which a corner of the rainforest has been arranged. It's hot, humid, birds, monkeys, lizards live there, and in general everything is quite skillfully decorated. When you get inside, there is no doubt that you are in a real jungle. Real vines grow, but here are big trees - imitation from artificial materials.
The hallmark of the pavilion is a tunnel at the end of the exposition, inside which real bats fly. It is very impressive when you find yourself in the twilight, from where these creatures jump out at you. Out of curiosity, I stood there for about five minutes, but mice do not sit on a person, as it turned out. Maybe it's for the better, because it's not clear how to react if suddenly it lands on you..
Historical reference
1881 - the first appearance of the mention of the zoological garden in the newspapers. Until 1922, organizational measures were mainly taking place. And only then the lands of Alois Svoboda were allocated for the zoo, who donated a plot in the Troy region for this business..
In 1923, preparatory work began. Three years later, a separate organization was created «Zoological park», which by the end of next year completed the fencing of the territory of the future landmark of Prague.
Until 1941, only positive things happened here: the zoo was built up with buildings and aviaries, and also grew with pets. In the 41st year, there was a flood due to melting snow.
After the Second World Zoo, the construction was slowly completed, until in 1959 it was taken up by Zdenek Veselovsky, who made the Prague Zoo one of the world leaders - the fourth among the best.
Information to visit
Entrance price 200 CZK per person. An additional 5 CZK will go to the zoo map.
Opening hours: November - December from 9 am to 4 pm, in spring - until 5 pm, and in summer until 7 pm.
In summer, it is more convenient to visit the zoo, because the daylight hours are much longer and the zoo's working hours are longer..
You can safely lay at least 3 hours for a visit. I skimmed it over during this time, and it was not enough. And you also need to consider that I was alone and without a child, as well as some of the enclosures were empty, and I just passed by.
In some reviews, I saw recommendations to lay one or two days for inspection, but this is controversial advice and most likely it applies to those who love animals very much. I'm not a fan of zoology, so my option is at least three hours, and the maximum, slowly and with a snack - six hours.
In the summer you need to keep in mind - the heat is around 40 and on such days it will not be comfortable to walk.
Opening hours of the zoo in Prague
Prague zoo map
The zoo is equipped for the disabled
How to get there
Usually tourists live in the center or near the center of Prague, so the easiest way to get to the Prague Zoo is the metro. Take the red line north to Nadrazi Holesovice station. From there - follow the signs «Zoo», to the bus stop 112. The bus goes to the stop Zoologicka zahrada.
The fare is 24 - 32 CZK, depending on the distance, and the ticket is valid on time. You can buy a metro ticket at the 112 bus stop. The bus from the metro takes 15-20 minutes.
From the metro station, follow the signs
Exit by signs
Bus Stop 112
You can buy tickets from vending machines
On the map
Prague Zoo and its surroundings
Prague Zoo:
Botanicka zahrada Troja:
Botanicka zahrada Troja:
Botanicka zahrada Troja:
Nadrazi Holesovice:
