Prague Zoo – photos, opening hours, reviews and other information

Prague Zoo is famous all over the world. Located near the center of the Czech Republic, it is the largest zoo in the Czech Republic and also consistently ranks among the top 10 best zoos in the world. Therefore, it is impossible to imagine a visit to Prague without a visit to this beautiful zoo.

About the zoo

Opened in 1931 as a full-fledged zoo, it has a much longer history. For example, it was established in the time of the first Czech kings as a private menagerie (this is probably where one of the Presidents of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, who had his own zoo, got the idea from). In the middle of the sixteenth century it reached its peak at that time, but during the Thirty Years’ War it fell into decline and it was not until 1921 that its revival began.

The construction of the zoo took almost 10 years and after opening it contained only 200 animals on an area of 8 hectares. Already by the beginning of the 21st century, the area had expanded to 60 hectares and the number of animals exceeded 4,700 individuals, consisting of 681 (as of 2015) species. Almost one and a half million people visit the zoo every year.

The zoo also suffered severe problems due to a terrible flood in 2002, when a large part of the zoo’s territory was flooded along with half of Prague. More than 100 animals died, including such large animals as rhinoceros and elephants.

The zoo is very impressive in its scope. There are 12 open and closed pavilions with collections of animals from all over the world. More than 150 expositions can surprise every visitor from small to large.

The Indonesian jungle pavilion looks cool, which fully recreates the atmosphere of the tropics and is one of the most grandiose structures in European zoos. I have seen something similar in the Vienna Zoo.

It is the only place in Europe where giant Galapagos tortoises live, as well as the world’s largest elephant tortoises from the Seychelles.

In 2014, a unique pavilion, the Salamandrium, was opened, which is home to very interesting specimens, including the world’s largest living amphibian, a Chinese giant salamander named Carlo.

Here you can also see other rare animals. For example, Przewalski’s horses. At one time, to see them in their natural habitat, we went to the Ukrainian steppe, where in the unique biosphere reserve Askania Nova (Kherson region) I saw them live, but from afar. In Prague I managed to see them up close and even made friends with one of these horses.

144 animal species out of 674 are listed in the red book and 14 of them are endangered.

That said, the zoo allows you to see not only rare animals, but also plants! It is a real botanical garden, especially the aforementioned Indonesian jungle pavilion. In total, the zoo features over 300 species of rare plants and trees. Although, if that’s not enough, there is a botanical garden nearby that will certainly impress you with its exposition.

There are a lot of interesting and unfamiliar animals. Take for example this one, which from afar reminds me of a hare. I first saw such a character in the Belgrade Zoo, and I still can’t figure out who it is.

Zoo map

You can view the map of Prague Zoo in Russian, or download it in PDF format for printing. It will make it much easier to navigate around the zoo.

Working hours

Prague Zoo is open daily throughout the year.

On December 24 and 31, the zoo is open from 09:00 to 14:00.

That said, the box office closes half an hour before the zoo closes, and in July and August, it closes at 7:00 p.m.

Price.

The price of a standard ticket to the Prague Zoo:

• For an adult – 200 CZK
• Children (3 to 15 years old) – 150 CZK
• Children (up to 3 years old) – free of charge
• Student card (if ISIC is available) – 150 CZK
• Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children from 3 to 15 years old) – 600 CZK (+100 CZK for an additional child)

In addition, every Monday (except July and August), the zoo offers special discounts for children (50 kroner) and students (50 kroner).

Parking at the zoo is paid, the price is 200 CZK on weekends and holidays, summer vacation days and 100 CZK on other days for a passenger car (for more information about cars and parking in Prague, see the article Transportation in Prague).

The ticket offices accept cash (Czech crowns) as well as payment cards.

How to get there

By bus

You can get to the zoo in Prague by bus number 112 or 236. To find the route from your location to the zoo, I recommend using a special service for public transportation (see detailed description).

On the tram

It is most convenient to take number 17 to Trojská stop and then change to bus 112.

On the subway

It is not possible to get there by subway, so you will have to take a bus anyway. The most convenient way is to take the red line to Nádraží Holešovice metro station, where you can change to bus 112 and take it to the final stop – Zoologická zahrada.

By car

Coordinates for navigator: 50°7’0.099 “N, 14°24’39.676 “E

On the carabiner

From the center of Prague there is a steamboat on the Vltava River. It runs from late March to October, the trip lasts 75 minutes, and the pier is located one kilometer from the main entrance to the zoo.