City Jungle Adventures - The Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden
Updated: Sep 15
Step into a living time capsule at the Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden, where every corner tells a tale spanning almost 150 years. Unveil the secrets of this historical gem as you embark on an ordinary visit that turns extraordinary.
The main entrance of the Budapest Zoo, © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024
Address: H-1146 Budapest, Állatkerti krt. 6-12.
How to get there
Due to its central location you can get to the Budapest Zoo easily in several different ways.
By public transport
Take the yellow Metro line/Underground/M1 to "Széchenyi Fürdő" stop. It is only a 2 minutes walk to the Zoo entrance.
or take Trolley 72 to "Állatkert" stop,
or take Trolley 75 or 79 to "Gundel Károly út" stop,
or take bus 20E, 30, 30A, 105 or 230 to Hősök Tere stop (Heroes' Square).
By car
GPS coordinates
lat: 47.5180236 long: 19.0775649
Those arriving by car - or motorcycle - can choose from several parking options. They can use the Zoo Park in the zoo, or they can park in the public parking spaces of the Zoo boulevard and the surrounding streets.
Parkoló ZOOna - The zoo parking ZOOna is located at the end of Állatkerti körút towards Hermina út (Állatkerti krt. 16.).The prices for parking in the parking lot, which can be used from 0 to 24 hours.
Recommend for:
Visitors interested in animals, plants/botanics/parks, and architecture
Families with young children, as there are lots of kid-friendly attractions:
e.g. renting a wooden carriage for your kids under 10 years old (a deposit fee paid in cash is needed, and hourly fees apply)
animal petting area
animal feeding shows (timings can change)
several buffets and a restaurant
a giftshop
and several playgrounds
Children under 14 years of age may only visit the Zoo with an adult
For those who love to take a walk, including some elevation, e.g. climbing 'the Great Rock' - but there are lots of benches as well to relax
For a rainy day outing: with lots of 'rainproof', covered locations (please note that some locations have a high temperature inside, e.g. the Palm House)
Typical visiting time: ~1.5-2.5 hours
Best time to visit:
From Spring to late Fall (although the Zoo is open all year, during winter many animals hibernate/are not on display)
Recommend going rather on weekdays, instead of weekends, as the Zoo can be quite crowded then
You can also buy tickets online:
Select your ticket, pay with credit card and enter the Zoo with a barcode, which you receive in your confirmation e-mail:
Plan your visit on the homepage of the Budapest Zoo:
Other tourist interests nearby: Heroes' Square, Széchenyi Thermal Baths, Museum of Fine Arts, Art Hall, Budapest Ice Rink in winter, Boating Lake in summer, Biodome (can only be visited for some programs), Budapest Circus
Welcome to the Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden!
The historic buildings, contributing to the zoo's unique atmosphere, were meticulously reconstructed between 2003 and 2007, now standing in their antique splendor. Simultaneously, animal habitats were modernized, enlarged (as much as the available space allowed), and redesigned for a more natural and aesthetic appeal.
The main entrance of the Budapest Zoo, 1950s source: Fortepan
As you wander through, let your gaze linger on the statues that silently narrate the zoo's rich history. These artistic gems have witnessed the evolution of the zoo, each one a testament to the passage of time.
Marvel at the architecture of the buildings, animal houses, and even the fences, each with its unique backstory, crafted by the skilled hands of renowned architects, including Károly Kós and Dezső Zrumeczky.
The iron structure of the Palm House and the reinforced concrete frame of the artificial rocks were designed by Gyula Végh.
Wondering around the centuries-old trees that stand as silent witnesses to the changing landscape of the Budapest Zoo, you can imagine that these majestic giants have seen it all, from the early days to the modern era.
The India-inspired Elephant House (by Kornél Neuschloss) is located to the right of the Main entrance, with a look-out tower at its top, where you can get a beautiful panoramic view of the City Park.
The Elephant House at the Budapest Zoo, © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024
And then there are the true legends – the animals. Imagine the Budapest Zoo in its infancy, opening its gates on August 9th, 1866. A menagerie of Hungarian species, along with exotic additions like monkeys, lemurs, parrots, camels, and kangaroos, captured the imagination of early visitors. Surprisingly, there were no lions, tigers, or elephants initially. The first giraffe gracefully joined the zoo's ensemble in 1868, a royal gift from Franz Joseph with Queen Elizabeth's intervention. The zoo's narrative continued to unfold with milestones like the inauguration of the first Lion house in 1876, welcoming majestic lions and tigers.
Elephant family eating in the Elephant House, © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024
An elephant, a hippopotamus, and a rhinoceros soon became part of the ever-growing animal family. Almost 140 years later, in 2007, the Budapest Zoo achieved a groundbreaking milestone with the birth of the first rhinoceros ever born through artificial insemination.
Rhinoceros eating at the Budapest Zoo, © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024
The Budapest Zoo has come a long way since those humble beginnings, evolving into a haven that seamlessly blends history, art, and the wonders of the animal kingdom.
So, when you visit, remember that you're not just stepping into a zoo; you're traversing through time, exploring the legacy of a place that has stood the test of almost a century and a half. History, architecture, and wildlife converge in a symphony at the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden, inviting you to be part of its ongoing story.
View of the 'Great Rock' with flamingoes, www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024
Thematic zones in the Budapest Zoo:
America Tropicana
Savannah Zone
Australia Zone
India Zone
Madagascar Zone
House of Venomous and Giant Reptiles
Primates Near-at-Hand
Giant Pachyderms
The world of waters
Botanical specialities
Butterfly garden
The Palm House entrance at the Budapest Zoo, © www.gemsofbudapest.com 2024
Map of the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden
Zoo map, source: Budapest Zoo
