Europe
Germany
North Rhine-Westphalia
Cologne
Places to visit in Cologne
Koelner Zoo
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Koelner Zoo

See all things to do
See all things to do
Koelner Zoo
4.5
About
This zoo has more animals than any other zoological park in Germany and boasts an aquarium and the world's largest elephant park in northern Europe. Open 365 days a year; in the summer hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,620 within 5 kms
La Casona
152
0.6 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Steakhouse • Barbecue • Argentinian
Richters Restaurant
94
0.4 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • European • Central European • Vegetarian Friendly
Dank Augusta
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0.3 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Cafe • International • Grill
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307
0.9 km₹₹₹₹ • Austrian • European • Central European
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48
0.5 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • German • European • Central European
Korner's
19
0.6 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • German • Vegetarian Friendly
Cafe Rafaelos
1
0.6 km
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35
0.7 km₹₹ - ₹₹₹ • Chinese • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
390 within 10 kms
Rheinseilbahn
885
0.2 kmTrams
Aquarium
1
0.1 kmAquariums
Christmas Garden Köln
9
0.1 kmAmusement & Theme Parks
Botanical Gardens Flora
831
0.5 kmGardens
Cologne Cathedral
22,211
2.3 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Skulpturen Park Cologne
81
0.5 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Ineinandergefügt
73 mMonuments & Statues
KölnTriangle
2,045
2.1 kmObservation Decks & Towers
Saint Gereon's Basilica
249
2.7 kmArchitectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Hohenzollern Bridge
3,609
2.1 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Bridges
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,146 reviews
Excellent
1,182
Very good
699
Average
175
Poor
57
Terrible
33
117davidgyahoo
147 contributions
Raining but still a good day.
Oct 2023 • Family
Good day, i paid 23 euro, 11 for my 11 year old. Lots of animals and as it was raining and late October the zoo wasn’t busy which was great.

My daughter loved it as lots of indoor bits to explore.

Only slight problem was the lack of concessions open but it was raining and late october.
Written 27 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Escapefromlife
Brighton, UK165 contributions
Amazing - well worth visiting
Oct 2023 • Couples
Spent 4.5 hours here today. Very good day out. Well worth the entry fee. You can walk around some of the enclosures where the aminals roam free which is great. There is loads to see here plus the aquarium opposite which was included in the ticket price.

Definitely the best zoo I've been too.
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harjeev
Birmingham, UK3 contributions
Grrrrrrreat zoo
Sep 2023 • Friends
This zoo was phenomenal, saw gorillas scraping, elephants sh*going and heard tigers nagging. Best zoo I’ve ever been to, would recommend for all ages and genders
Written 9 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dinnerdiner2015
Chelmsford, UK54 contributions
Grand day out
Jul 2023 • Family
A nice zoo with plenty to keep the family amused.

For little ones, borrow a small cart capable of transporting two or three toddlers with ease.
Play spaces also ensure young children can run / climb themselves ragged before finishing off at a petting zoo.

For everyone else get ready for a decent walk around an enjoyable zoo, easily accessible by public transport from Cologne’s main station (the U-Bahn stops immediately outside the zoo, so save yourself the hassle of driving).

It’s easy to spend three or four hours here, so don’t scrimp on the time you commit to your visit. If you want to see various feeding times, plan ahead and be prepared to scurry around the venue. If you’d rather just go with the flow, there’s signage aplenty to guide you around and ensure you see everything you want to see.
Written 19 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
delphine o
Paris, France23 contributions
zoo
Mar 2023 • Couples
beautiful view with amazing atmosphere.beautiful acquarium.many animals to see.very nice ground for the kids.
Written 10 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carrie w
Ipswich, UK1,231 contributions
Excellent place
Apr 2023 • Couples
We walked to the zoo from the centre (by the cathedral) along the river. It took us about 30 minutes but was a nice walk. There’s also a train that goes back and forth to the centre too.
The zoo is great! Very flat, so much to see. Some great animals. Would highly recommend.
Written 14 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Durag
Kaiserslautern, Germany1 contribution
French Fry Stand Rude Lady
Feb 2023 • Couples
Zoo was amazing and I enjoyed my time here. Atmosphere was amazing! The only thing that ruined my time and upset me was the lady at the counter at the french fry stand near the elephants, seals, and the kid park. I came to Germany about a month or so ago as I got stationed here with my wife. So we spend our time going around exploring places. So we don’t speak the language. I get anxious when I am about to go and order something off the menu since I don’t know what any of it says. Yesterday around 4:30 pm I go wait in line anxiously looking at the menu wondering how I’m going to order. It has different menus stating from 1-4 or 5. So in my mind I choose Menu 1. I assume it says it comes with fries, sauce of my choice, and a drink. Any other place if I say something like “Menu 1 please” then they will say what type of sauce? Then I will say the answer and it goes the same for the drink. It was my turn to go and order and I say menu 1 and the lady literally speaks to me in the most disgusting manner and says Menu 1 WHAT? so I again say Menu 1. And she again blurts out WHAT? MENU 1 WHAT? I say the French fries and everything else that comes with it. She goes to the back and I guess asks for clarification or something. Then comes back and tells me to insert my card. Since my card is a little old I don’t have a chip that you can just hover over the card reader and it pays like that. I have to insert my card. When she pulls the card reader out she puts it where I have to hover over it and I say I have to insert my card. she then drops the card reader and does that ugly attitude and waves her hands like she is tired of this. I am furious at this point and really ruined my vibe. She handed me my fries and had the audacity to say cheers. She was really rude and had no respect for my wife or myself. As someone who is visiting I respect the culture and all those around me. I didn’t even do anything to upset her. I politely asked what I wanted. If I ordered the wrong way she could have told me how to order or something but because of this lady I rate it a 1. She doesn’t need to be in front of customers if she talks like that to people and make them feel like an idiot. I never write reviews because I can handle most disgusting attitudes but this one crossed the line. I am a lover of French fries and this is the first time I didn’t enjoy eating my French fries because of her. Luckily I remained calm and didn’t start cursing her out and threw the fries or something. I just walked away and ate my fries trying to calm down. If y’all ever go here make sure to avoid that French fry stand.
Written 12 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria E
11 contributions
Fabulous zoo experience with added aquarium experience! Plenty of indoor areas in the colder months.
Dec 2022 • Family
We visited the zoo at opening at 9.00 am on a rainy Monday morning. Turned out perfectly for us as we we were usually the only ones at each exhibit so we had plenty of time to relax and watch the animals. I have been to many zoos and wildlife parks and this was definitely one of the better. Despite the rain the animals were usually able to be viewed in their indoor heated enclosures which was perfect for us. Most enclosures were quite spacious but some do need upgrading. There is also an amazing playground for children. Imagine this is why it’s so busy in warmer months. The aquarium was an added bonus. Overall our experience was fantastic.
Written 20 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
genghlislive
Reading, UK164 contributions
Top zoo, easy to get to, enclosures could be bigger
Sep 2022 • Family
We did not have long at Cologne zoo but we all really enjoyed it (our children are 6 and 8).

They have a great selection of animals, including hippos, giraffes, elephants and rhino.

The enclosures could be a bit bigger, but overall looks like a well kept zoo. Would recommend.
Written 13 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shad
4 contributions
Nice place
Sep 2022 • Family
Good really clean zoo, you can see how animals eats, small monkeys are coming and watch directly in your eyes:)) good aquarium, a lot of cafes
Written 11 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Koelner Zoo (Cologne) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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