Photo: Raimond Spekking · CC BY-SA 4.0 · editedKölner Zoo
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#8Zoos & aquariums in GermanyTravelers' Choice 2025
Open today 09:00–17:00ERWACHSENE EUR 23 · KINDER EUR 11 · ERMÄSSIGT 27,00 € EUR 27
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Kölner Zoo, or Cologne Zoo, is in Riehl in northern Cologne, near the Rhine. It covers more than 20 hectares and has over 10,000 animals across more than 850 species.
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rente42 · Public Domain Mark 1.0 · edited
Why go
- Watch gorillas, orangutans and bonobos in the Great Ape Jungle House.
- Explore the aquarium’s coral reef and Rhine panorama tanks, terrarium and insectarium.
- See hippopotamuses, sitatunga antelopes and Nile crocodiles in Hippodom.
Plan your visit
Opening times
März-oktober09:00–18:00
November-februar · now09:00–17:00
Prices
ERWACHSENEEUR 23
KINDEREUR 11
ERMÄSSIGT 27,00 €EUR 27
ERMÄSSIGT 16,00 €EUR 16
ERMÄSSIGT 24,00 €EUR 24
ERMÄSSIGT 20,00 €EUR 20
From the venue's website · checked 3 Nov 2026
Don't miss
- Baboon rockA rocky island surrounded by a deep moat houses hamadryas baboons.
- South American monkeysThe former bird house houses red howlers and golden lion tamarins.Former bird house
- Asian elephant parkThe park replaced the old elephant and antelope house.Asian elephant park
- Rainforest Hall aviaryEnter the aviary, with tropical birds, lizards and pythons.Rainforest Hall
With kids
- Use the zoo’s improved playgrounds, seating and rest areas.
- The zoo is home to Europe’s first zoo school.
Know before you go
- Open 1 March–31 October, 09:00–18:00.
- Open 1 November–28 February, 09:00–17:00.
- Tickets can be bought online through the zoo’s website.
Tips for your visit
- The aquarium is outside the main zoo grounds.
- Hippos are currently viewable from the upper observation deck; underwater viewing is unavailable during filtration work, expected to finish in early 2027.
What it costs
- Adults
- €23
- Children
- €11
- Other ticket rates
- €16, €20, €24 and €27 Check ticket options and eligibility before booking.
Facilities
- Walking paths, park areas, playgrounds, seating and rest areas These areas have been improved.
Shorts
History
Cologne residents founded the zoo through a shareholding company. The city acquired a majority stake in the 1920s and subsequently funded it. The zoo works in recreation, education, research and species conservation. Its worldwide conservation work includes projects in animals’ native habitats and European breeding programmes.
- 1859–60The director’s villa was built; it is the zoo’s oldest surviving residence and the oldest in Riehl.
- 1860A shareholding company organised by local citizens founded the zoo. It opened on 22 July, with biologist Heinrich Bodinus as its first director.
- 1863Josef Felten designed the giraffe and antelope house.
- 1874The giraffe and antelope house was converted into an elephant house, which housed elephants until 2004.
- 1884Alfred Müller built the cattle houses in Swiss chalet style; they are still used as animal enclosures.
Show all
- 1887The sea lion rock was built and remains an animal enclosure.
- 1899The bird house opened, inspired by Russian church architecture.
- 1914The baboon rock exhibit opened with naturalistic rockwork.
- 1944The zoo closed after severe bombing during the Second World War.
- 1947The zoo reopened after initial cleanup work.
- 1960Expansion onto former velodrome grounds increased its area from 11 to 18.8 hectares.
- 1968–1971The aquarium was built, including a terrarium and insectarium.
- 1970sPostwar reconstruction and expansion were completed.
- 1985The zoo opened an early immersive rainforest-style ape house and launched Europe’s first endangered-species conservation breeding programme.
- 2000Rainforest Hall opened.
- 2010Hippodom opened.
- 2012Director Theo Pagel presented a plan for continental zones that retained historic enclosures and old trees.
- 2014Clemenshof opened as a recreation of a Bergisches Land farm displaying endangered domestic breeds.
How to get there
- TramTake light-rail line 18 to the nearby Zoo/Flora stop. Address: Riehler Straße 173, 50735 Köln.
Accessibility
- Step-free entry, lift, accessible toilet and parking For details, contact the zoo on +49 221 7785100.
Sources: Cologne Zoological Garden - Wikipedia · Cologne - Wikivoyage (do) · EN – Koelnerzoo · Visit – Koelnerzoo · Admission Prices – Koelnerzoo · Kölner Zoo - Wikipedia · Zoo de Cologne - Wikipedia · checked 28 Sep 2026
Where
Riehler Straße 173, -, Cologne
- Website
- koelnerzoo.de/
- Phone
- +49 221 7785100
Questions and answers
Which other animals can I see at Kolner Zoo?
Red pandas, Przewalski’s horses, saiga antelope and grizzlies are among the zoo’s residents.
Which historic enclosures at Kolner Zoo still house animals?
The Swiss chalet-style cattle houses and the sea lion rock remain in use as animal enclosures.
Has Kolner Zoo recorded a recent elephant birth?
An elephant calf was born at the zoo in 2023.
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