Most Berlin visitors don’t realise the city has two major zoos. The famous one — Zoo Berlin near Zoologischer Garten station in Charlottenburg — is the older and more famous, founded in 1844 (Germany’s oldest), home to pandas Meng Meng and Jiao Qing with their cubs Leni and Lotti. The other one — Tierpark Berlin in Friedrichsfelde — is the larger and less-crowded second zoo in the former East Berlin. Adjoining Zoo Berlin is the three-floor Berlin Aquarium with sharks, crocodiles, and one of the world’s most photographed jellyfish collections. This guide covers all three for a 2026 family visit — verified prices, where to start, how long to spend, what to do at feeding times, and which is right for your kids.
Important up-front: the AquaDom (the cylindrical aquarium that was inside the Radisson hotel lobby on Spandauer Strasse) collapsed on December 16, 2022 and has not been rebuilt. It is permanently gone. Berlin Aquarium next to the Zoo is a separate institution and is still operating, though in 2026 some sections are under renovation — check current restrictions before your visit.
Zoo Berlin at a Glance
- Address: Hardenbergplatz 8, 10787 Berlin (Charlottenburg). The famous Elephant Gate entrance is on Budapester Strasse and connects directly to Berlin Aquarium.
- Founded: 1844 — Germany’s oldest zoo, one of the oldest in Europe.
- Size: 35 hectares, 1,300 species, ~20,000 animals. Compact enough for a half-day family visit.
- Transport: S-Bahn or U-Bahn Zoologischer Garten (S5, S7, S9, U2, U9). Buses 100, 200, M45, X9, X10.
- Hours: 9:00–18:30 in summer (last admission 17:00); shorter in winter (~16:30).
- Tickets 2026: from €16 online / €25 at the till for adults; €7.50 online / €12.50 at till for children 4–15; under 4 free. Combined Zoo + Aquarium €24 online / €37 at till (kids €11/€17.50). Combined tickets must be bought before 15:00.
- Welcome Card discount: the Zoo’s status as a Welcome Card partner has shifted in recent years — verify current arrangements before relying on a discount.
Tickets and Where to Buy
Online tickets are dramatically cheaper than at the till. The from-prices via the official zoo-berlin.de website are €16 adult / €7.50 child — at the gate you’ll pay €25/€12.50. That’s a €9 saving per adult by booking the night before, even with no advance commitment.
One important note: there is no day “family ticket” for the Zoo. Family pricing only exists as annual passes (€88.50–€249.50 depending on which combination of Zoo, Aquarium, and Tierpark you want). For a one-off family visit, just buy individual online tickets — for a family of four (2 adults + 2 children 4–15) that’s about €47 online versus €75 at the till.
A conservation contribution of €0.50 is automatically added to each day ticket; it funds the Zoo’s wildlife conservation programs (“BERLIN WORLD WILD”). It can be deselected at checkout.
Opening Hours and Best Time to Visit
- Open daily, 9:00 sharp.
- Summer close 18:30 (last admission 17:00).
- Winter close around 16:30.
- Aquarium combined tickets cut off at 15:00 (you must enter both before then).
- Mornings are quietest — arrive at 9:00–9:30.
- Weekends and German school holidays are the busiest.
- Weekday mornings outside school holidays are the easiest with kids.
How to Spend a Family Day at Zoo Berlin
- 9:00 — Arrive at Elephant Gate (Budapester Strasse). Picks up the Aquarium entrance for later combined-ticket use.
- 9:15 — Pandas first. Beat the panda-talk crowds at 15:00. Meng Meng and Jiao Qing plus cubs Leni and Lotti are the headliners.
- 10:00 — Predator Hall (Raubtierhaus). Lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards.
- 10:45 — Elephants. European elephant facility with both Asian and African elephants.
- 11:30 — Hippos. Underwater viewing window is the kids’ favourite.
- 12:15 — Lunch. Patio restaurant for sit-down, kiosks throughout for casual; picnics permitted (lawns near hippos and inside the main grounds).
- 13:30 — Petting zoo (Streichelzoo). Goats, sheep, ducks. Ideal for under-6s.
- 14:30 — Polar bears. The underwater viewing is dramatic.
- 15:00 — Panda talk. 15-minute presentation with keeper feeding.
- 16:00 — Cross to Berlin Aquarium via the Elephant Gate side. Allow 90 minutes for three floors.
Tip: photograph the feeding schedule board at the entrance — it shows the day’s panda talk, elephant bath, sea lion show, and polar bear feeding times. Plan your route around them.
Berlin Aquarium — Three Floors, One Building
- Address: Budapester Strasse 32, 10787 Berlin. Separate entrance from the Zoo but adjoining; some routes connect.
- Tickets 2026: €17 adult / €9 child.
- Combined with Zoo: €24 adult / €11 child online (cut-off 15:00).
- Hours: 9:00–18:00 daily.
What’s on Each Floor
- Floor 1: fish, sharks, coral reef, jellyfish (the famous floor-to-ceiling jellyfish wall is here).
- Floor 2: crocodile hall (Krokodilhalle) — viewing from above. Crocodile feeding scheduled times.
- Floor 3: reptiles and amphibians, including Komodo dragons.
2026 construction note: the Aquarium is undergoing renovation. Some individual tanks may be closed; some upper-floor sections have stroller restrictions. Always check aquarium-berlin.de/en/latest/current-restrictions before visiting.
Best for ages 3+. Toddlers love the jellyfish wall; teens enjoy the sharks and Komodo dragons. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
A Note on the Pandas
The pandas are by far Berlin Zoo’s most photographed animals and the single biggest reason visiting families pick Zoo Berlin over Tierpark. Meng Meng and Jiao Qing arrived from China in June 2017 on a 15-year breeding loan. The first cubs born in Germany — male twins Pit and Paule — were born in August 2019 and have since moved on to other breeding zoos. The current cubs, Leni and Lotti, were born in August 2024 to the same mother. The panda enclosure is large, includes climate control to mimic Chinese mountain weather, and has bamboo plants imported regularly. Daily panda talk at 15:00 includes a brief feeding presentation. Arrive 10 minutes early to claim a spot at the viewing glass.
Combining the Zoo with Other Attractions
One useful planning angle. Zoo Berlin’s location next to Zoologischer Garten station puts it within walking distance of several other family-friendly attractions, so you can build a full west-Berlin day around it.
- Bikini Berlin (next door, free) — the concept mall with the famous “Monkey Window” that looks directly into the Zoo’s monkey enclosure from outside. Kids love it. Plus a food court for lunch.
- KaDeWe sixth-floor food hall (10 minutes east on the U-Bahn) — older kids enjoy the food spectacle.
- Restaurant Giraffe on Hardenbergstrasse — animal-themed kid restaurant, perfect post-zoo dinner.
- C/O Berlin photography gallery (5 minutes walk, the Amerika Haus building) — works for older kids.
- Tiergarten (10 minutes walk east) — for post-zoo running-around time.
Tierpark Berlin — The Other Zoo
- Address: Am Tierpark 125, 10319 Berlin (Friedrichsfelde, former East Berlin).
- Transport: U5 to “Tierpark” station — one stop from Friedrichsfelde. Free parking at the entrance — one of the few major Berlin attractions with easy car access.
- Tickets 2026: from €14.50 online / €22.50 at the till for adults; from €7 online / €11 at till for children 4–15; under 4 free.
- Size: 160 hectares — Europe’s largest urban animal park. Significantly larger than Zoo Berlin (which is 35 hectares).
- Animals: ~10,000 across larger enclosures than Zoo Berlin. Elephants (Europe’s largest elephant facility), big cats, polar bears, primates, plus the Schloss Friedrichsfelde palace on the grounds.
- Dogs allowed on short leash — Zoo Berlin doesn’t allow dogs.
- Pony rides in summer.
- Handcart rental €5 + ID deposit — kids love riding around in them.
- Free electric park train when running.
Less English signage than Zoo Berlin, but more space and fewer crowds. Better for older kids 6+ who can walk longer distances and for families who want a fuller day.
Zoo Berlin vs Tierpark — Which to Pick
Pick Zoo Berlin if:
- Half-day visit only.
- Staying in West Berlin or central Mitte.
- You want pandas.
- You want the Aquarium combo.
- Very young kids (compact = less walking).
- You only have one zoo day in Berlin.
Pick Tierpark if:
- Full-day visit.
- Kids aged 6+.
- You want fewer crowds.
- Staying in East Berlin.
- You have a dog with you.
- You want the Schloss Friedrichsfelde palace add-on.
- You prefer wandering over a planned route.
Doing Both?
The annual pass family combo (Big Family Zoo + Aquarium + Tierpark) is €249.50 — pays back in roughly 5 visits across the year. Worth it for Berlin residents or longer-staying families. Visitors on a single trip should buy individual day tickets and pick one or the other.
Feeding Times and Animal Encounters
Both zoos publish daily feeding schedules at the entrance and online at zoo-berlin.de/en/tickets-service/feedings-trainings. Highlights to plan around:
- Panda talk — daily 15:00, Zoo Berlin.
- Elephant bath — varies, usually late morning.
- Sea lion show — scheduled feedings, typically 11:00 and 15:00.
- Polar bear feeding — afternoon.
- Aquarium crocodile feeding — varies; check on arrival.
- Aquarium jellyfish feeding — scheduled.
Paid VIP experiences (behind-the-scenes tours, breakfast with the keepers) are bookable via the official site under “Tours & animal experiences.” Book ahead.
Food, Toilets, Baby Facilities
- Zoo Berlin food: Patio (sit-down restaurant), multiple kiosks throughout, ice cream stands. Picnic lawns near the hippos and along several paths — own food permitted (no glass or alcohol).
- Tierpark food: Kakadu restaurant, multiple kiosks, large picnic meadows.
- Toilets: at major junctions on both zoo maps. Baby change in main toilet blocks.
- Highchairs: limited inside restaurants — bring a portable seat for under-2s.
- Water fountains: available; refillable bottles encouraged.
- Restaurants nearby outside: Restaurant Giraffe near Zoo (animal-themed kid favourite), Mommseneck (Bavarian beer hall), KaDeWe sixth-floor food hall ten minutes away. See our family restaurants guide.
Strollers, Wheelchairs, Accessibility
- Strollers allowed throughout both Zoo Berlin and Tierpark — paved paths everywhere.
- Stroller rental at Zoo entrances (€3/day, deposit required).
- Aquarium: limited stroller access on upper floors during 2026 renovation — verify.
- Disabled visitors with German disability ID (Schwerbehindertenausweis) showing 50%+ get free entry up to age 15; accompanying person free with the “B” mark.
- Wheelchair-accessible routes mapped on both sites.
- Tactile and large-print maps available at info desks.
- Tierpark has a “Tierpark for all” page with accessible routes detailed.
The AquaDom — What Happened
The AquaDom — the cylindrical aquarium that stood in the lobby of the Radisson hotel on Spandauer Strasse — collapsed at 5:43am on December 16, 2022. The 25-metre tall tank held 1 million litres of water and 1,500 tropical fish. The collapse killed all the fish, flooded the hotel lobby, and damaged the building. It has not been rebuilt and there are no current plans to do so. A vertical indoor garden replaced it in the Radisson lobby in February 2025. Do not seek out the AquaDom; it no longer exists.
SEA LIFE Berlin (in the same building on Spandauer Strasse) is a separate attraction and is still operating. Berlin Aquarium (next to the Zoo on Budapester Strasse) is also a separate institution and is still operating. The three aquariums are easily confused — only Berlin Aquarium and SEA LIFE are open in 2026.
Animals to Prioritise by Age
- Toddlers (1–3): petting zoo, sea lions, ducks and flamingos at the entrance pond, the jellyfish wall in the Aquarium.
- Pre-school (3–5): pandas, elephants, penguins, monkeys, the Aquarium jellyfish.
- Primary (6–10): Predator Hall (lions, tigers, leopards), polar bears, hippopotamus underwater viewing, Aquarium sharks.
- Tweens and teens (11+): Komodo dragons in the Aquarium, gorillas, conservation talks, behind-the-scenes paid tours.
- Don’t miss for everyone: pandas, polar bears, hippopotamus underwater viewing.
A Brief History of Zoo Berlin
Worth knowing the context. Zoo Berlin was founded on August 1, 1844 as the ninth zoo in the world and the oldest in Germany. King Friedrich Wilhelm IV donated his pheasantry and exotic animal collection from Pfaueninsel — the same Peacock Island your kids will visit if you take the Wannsee day trip — to seed the new institution. The original Elephant Gate (Elefantentor), designed in 1899 in an Indian style, is still the famous main entrance you walk through today.
WWII destroyed almost the entire animal collection. Of roughly 4,000 animals before the war, only 91 survived 1945. The post-war rebuilding is part of the institution’s identity; the Zoo’s recovery and the development of the East-side Tierpark (founded 1955 as the GDR’s alternative when the West-side Zoo was inaccessible from East Berlin) created the unusual situation of one city with two major zoos.
The pandas arrived in 2017, in part for diplomatic reasons (a Chinese state-loan agreement around Chancellor Merkel’s visit), and have been the Zoo’s headline marketing draw ever since. Knee Knut the polar bear was the previous headline animal — born December 2006, internationally famous through 2011 when he died unexpectedly aged four; his stuffed remains are on display at the Naturkundemuseum. For older kids, the Knut story is one of the more touching short Berlin animal histories.
Practical Tips From Berlin Parents
- Book online the night before — €9/adult saving plus skip-the-line.
- Save QR code as a screenshot; signal can be patchy near some enclosures.
- Annual pass pays for itself in 4 family visits.
- Photograph the daily feeding schedule on arrival.
- Bring a hoodie even in summer — the Predator Hall is climate-controlled cold; the Aquarium is humid.
- Avoid Sundays during German school holidays — try Tuesday or Thursday mornings.
- Eat early (11:30) or late (14:00) — restaurant tables fill fast at noon.
- Birthday parties: both Zoo and Tierpark offer kids’ party bookings.
One last logistical note: the Zoo entrance you choose matters. The Elephant Gate on Budapester Strasse is the famous one and the one with direct Aquarium connection. The Lion Gate (Löwentor) on Hardenbergplatz is the alternative if you’re arriving by S-Bahn straight from Zoologischer Garten — slightly faster from the station but no Aquarium access from that side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berlin Zoo worth it with toddlers?
Yes — compact, paved, lots of close-up viewing. Two to three hours plus picnic is enough for under-3s. Children under 4 enter free.
Can we visit Zoo and Aquarium in one day?
Yes — with the combined ticket. Plan 4–5 hours at the Zoo and 1.5–2 hours at the Aquarium. Buy combined tickets before 15:00.
Are dogs allowed?
Not at Zoo Berlin or Aquarium. Yes at Tierpark on a short leash.
Is the AquaDom open?
No. The AquaDom collapsed on December 16, 2022 and has not been rebuilt. SEA LIFE Berlin and Berlin Aquarium are separate, still-operating attractions.
Cheapest Zoo tickets?
Always online via zoo-berlin.de — €9 cheaper per adult than the till. Never buy at the gate if you can avoid it.
Annual pass worth it?
For families visiting four or more times a year, yes. The Big Family Zoo + Aquarium + Tierpark annual is €249.50.
Wheelchair friendly?
Mostly yes — both Zoo Berlin and Tierpark have accessible paved routes throughout. Aquarium upper floors are partially limited in 2026 due to renovation.
Final Word
Berlin’s zoo and aquarium ecosystem is unusually strong for a single city — two full-scale zoos with combined collections, plus the three-floor Berlin Aquarium next door to the more famous one. For a single family day, Zoo Berlin + Aquarium combined ticket online is the easy choice. For longer visits or annual residents, the Tierpark annual pass combo adds genuine value. Book online the night before, arrive at 9:00, photograph the feeding schedule, and pack a picnic.
Companion reads: our family attractions guide, Berlin with toddlers, family restaurants guide, and rainy day activities.
