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ARTIS Royal Zoo
One of Europe's oldest zoos, with a historic park, aquarium and planetarium.
Photo: Beksaa Bike / Google
ARTIS is one of the oldest zoos in Europe, opened in 1838, and far more than an animal park — it's a leafy 19th-century estate of monumental buildings, old trees and gardens in the Plantage, complete with an aquarium and a planetarium.
What to see
Alongside the animals you'll find the historic aquarium, the planetarium and the ARTIS-Groote Museum exploring life and nature.
The grounds themselves — statues, ponds and grand old trees — make for a lovely wander, and it pairs easily with the neighbouring Hortus Botanicus.
Good to know
It's in the Plantage, a 20-minute walk or a short tram ride east of Central Station. Allow a half-day, especially with children.
Book online at busy times, and check the website for the planetarium and feeding times.
Tips from locals
Arrive at opening (9:00) to have the paths and enclosures almost to yourself.
Bring a picnic — the garden-like grounds are made for it, and food options inside are limited.
Save Micropia for mid-afternoon, when its queues dip.
On Thursday evenings the Groote Museum stays open late.
Did you know?
Founded in 1838, ARTIS is the Netherlands' oldest zoo — and one of the five oldest in the world.
It doubles as a botanical garden, with 26 national monuments on its grounds.
Its 19th-century Planetarium is included with a zoo ticket.