Diergaarde Blijdorp in Rotterdam is one of the most beautiful zoos in Europe. In 2018 it was even elected as the best zoo in the Benelux for the third time in a row. Discover it yourself with a journey to the different continents and come face to face with the wild animals.
- Go on a journey to the different continents and come face to face with the inhabitants of Blijdorp.
- Children will have a wonderful time in one of the big playgrounds.
- Blijdorp has been elected best zoo in the Benelux.
Around the world in a day
From the African savanna to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia: you will travel to all of the continents in a day in Blijdorp. The animal pens in Blijdorp are modeled to resemble their natural environment very closely. Dive into the Oceanium and stroll among the sharks. At Tiger Creek, you will literally come face to face with these beautiful predators. Or go and explore a jungle full of fluttering butterflies in Amazonica. In short, there is plenty to do at Diergaarde Blijdorp!
Playgrounds
Children will have a wonderful time in our indoor playground Biotopia. Slide from the fin of a humpback whale or go on a fossil hunt in the sand box. When the weather is good, children can swing and climb like monkeys in the play tower of the Oewanja children’s jungle.
Monumental zoo
Diergaarde Blijdorp was established in 1857. In 1940, the zoo was relocated from the city center to its current location in the Blijdorp district. The new zoo was designed by the architect Sybold van Ravesteyn. He tried to avoid fences and bars in his design as much as he could and created a zoo unlike any other in the world with spacious animal pens. Today, the old part of the zoo is a national monument.
Spend the night nearby
Sleep next to the zoo at Van der Valk Rotterdam – Blijdorp. A perfect place to relax after a day at the zoo.
Editor's tip
Are you curious to see what the animals do after closing hours? Then you should book the Blijdorp By Night arrangement. Several days every year, Blijdorp opens its doors at night. You can enjoy a meal and then go on a guided tour of the zoo at nightfall. It looks very different in the dark!