ZOO Bratislava
Bratislava Zoological Garden is a popular destination for children and adults, having undergone major upgrades to its facilities in recent years. The ZOO also houses a Dino Park with replicas of pre-historic animals.
Expositions
The garden is divided into variety of pavilions with various species of hoofed mammals, apes, birds, gnawers, beasts, terrarium animals etc. A new pavilion of large cats opened in April 2006.
The Dino Park, a part of the zoological garden, is an exposition with 22 life-sized mesozoic reptiles such as dinosaurs in a forested area of about three hecatares. 14 sceneries relive the Mesozoic Age. The children paleontological playground and 3D cinema as well as the 200 mil. years old mesozoic plant Wollemi Pine are part of the exhibition.
The Zoo offers a variety of educational programs for elementary schools.
The garden offers several possibilities of refreshment, a children playground and the Zoo Shop.
How to get there
The zoological garden is located approx. six minutes away from the city centre in the district of Bratislava Mlynska Dolina. It is accessible by public transport (buses No. 30, 31, 32, 37, 39, 92, bus stop Slavicie udolie).
Opening hours and entry
The Zoo is open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm in the summer (April-October) and from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm in the winter, while the last possible entry is 6:00 pm in the summer (the Zoo closes at 7:00 pm) and 3:00 pm in the winter (the Zoo closes at 4:00 pm).
For up-to-date information about the admission fees of the Bratislava ZOO, visit the official website.
Entrance with dogs, bicycles or skates is forbidden.
Short history
The first attempts to establish a Zoo in Bratislava as a first zoological garden in Slovakia date back to the first half of the 20th century. However, due to a lack of experiences this idea came to life first at the end of the the late 1950s . The building began in 1959 and the garden was officially opened on May 9, 1960. The Zoo succeeded in breeding many species including endangered ones (panthers, hyaenas, antelopes, lynxes, wanderoos, roe deer etc.) in the following decades. Due to the construction works on freeway and sewage, two thirds of the garden were destroyed in the period from 1981 to 1985. Other interventions due to construction works came in 2003. The Zoo has been trying hard to overcome barriers. The city of Bratislava sees the development of the zoological park as one of its priorities.