Wroclaw Zoo and Afrykarium in Wroclaw
Wroclaw Zoo is the most popular zoo in Poland, as evidenced by the number of visitors: in 2021 alone, it was visited by well over a million people! Today we will show you a zoo that is worth visiting even if you are not traveling with children.
Let's remember, of course, that Zoo Wroclaw is primarily known for its newest part – the Afrykarium. Afrykarium in Wroclaw is not a separate part, to get there you need to enter the Zoo in Wroclaw.
But let's start with the fact that somehow it has become accepted that zoos are attractions mainly for families with children. Fact, children love animals – they like to look at them, cuddle, stroke, feed them. A visit to the zoo is an amazing adventure for them and an opportunity to see animals they will probably never see in the wild, and at the same time it is a good way of education. However, the range of gardens, the range of attractions and the way they educate are changing so much that such facilities should also interest adults.
Especially when it comes to zoos, which are beautifully arranged, sensibly planned, do not limit themselves to just showing animals, but place just as much emphasis on species conservation and visitor education (including environmental protection and pro-environmental attitudes). And there are more and more such facilities: for example, the famous Zoo in Singapore, the Leipzig Zoo, or… Wrocław!
In our opinion, the garden in Wroclaw does not stand out from other European zoos. Of course, it's far from the famous zoo in Singapore, but it's worth adding that Wroclaw Zoo is the oldest in Poland, so these changes, adaptations and expansions take some time (it's different when the facility is put up from scratch).
>> We also recommend our post about Orientarium Zoo Lodz.
So we invite you to the zoo, where waiting for about 12,000 specimens, there is a pavilion where you can feel like in Africa, including exploring the underwater world by walking through a glass tunnel.
Wroclaw Zoo tour
It's worth planning a whole day to visit Zoo Wroclaw. Entering at about 11:00 we stayed until closing and by no means can we write that we managed to walk through every alley and visit every resident of the zoo. There is plenty to do on site! On about 33 hectares we can meet representatives of more than 1100 species.
If you enter through the main gate (ie. from Wróblewskiego Street), right after the entrance you will see a large enclosure with animals living on the savannah, and right next to the most characteristic building of the zoo, the Afrykarium.
Afrykarium and oceanarium in Wroclaw
The Afrykarium in Wroclaw is definitely a unique place, not only on the map of the zoo, but on the map of all of Poland. Ba! The whole world – this is the first oceanarium in the world focusing fully on one continent – Africa. It was opened in October 2014 and it was definitely a turning point in terms of popularity of the whole zoo.
Here we can feel like in Africa thanks to the originally arranged enclosures and aquariums with animals, thanks to the lush vegetation, high temperature and humidity, and the effect is completed by birds that fly freely over the heads of visitors!
The main idea was to show Africa and its diverse aquatic environment. And it was fully successful! We have yet to see individual ecosystems so interestingly displayed in any facility. Here you can discover the continent from a completely different perspective, because who would have thought that so many aquatic creatures inhabit Africa?
We were personally most impressed by the slow-moving manatees and the tropical forest. For many, the underwater tunnel is also a big attraction, but in our opinion it is quite overrated.
Attention! There are long queues to the Afrykarium. We heard that sometimes it is even more than 2 hours of standing. We in the off-season did not have any problem with the entrance, but it is worth knowing about it and planning well your stay in the zoo, so as not to lose most of the time in line.
Other pavilions and enclosures
The sightseeing does not end at the Afrykarium. There are many other thematic pavilions and enclosures to explore. Many of them are freshly modernized, but the old, cramped cages still remain.
There are 12 thematic pavilions, in addition to the aforementioned Afrykarium, there are also m.In. Birdhouse, Elephant House, Monkey House, Terai or Madagascar. Very interesting is the Odrarium showing the Oder River from a different perspective and the Ranch with Shetland ponies and donkeys.
We were particularly positively surprised by the enclosure for European animals, which is located on the southern edge: very interestingly arranged and there was even room for rocks and a stream. Bears can be observed from a special wooden footbridge built over the enclosures.
What other animals can be seen in Wroclaw? There are bison, okapi, ostriches, llamas, rhinos, elephants, tigers, lions, camels, porcupines, giraffes, penguins – a large area, many enclosures and numerous pavilions make it easy to spend the whole day here.
Practical information
Wroclaw Zoo with a child
If you come to Wroclaw Zoo with children, it's worth knowing that you can move around the premises with rented strollers (rental is extra paid), in which you can transport children and any luggage – it's a cool and practical solution if you don't have your own stroller (and these wooden strollers are almost cult).
Interesting for the little ones may be the show feedings (it is worth to be earlier because they are very popular).
Catering
We were at the Wroclaw Zoo before the season and had the impression that the food outlets were operating at half speed.
In general, the choice of food does not knock you out. Sausages, pork chops, casseroles and ice cream are king. We didn't particularly enjoy it, although we had the impression that not all food outlets were open so the selection was modest as well.
We also know that during the season there are large queues, so we encourage you to bring provisions from home.
Opening hours
Opening hours vary depending on the month and day of the week.
The shortest the garden is open in the months from November to February: from 9:00 am to 4:00/17:00 pm, and the longest in the holiday season: from 9:00 am to 5:00/18:00 pm
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Prices Zoo and Afrykarium Wroclaw
Going to the zoo is quite an expensive event, but keep in mind that we have a whole day full of attractions (entrance to the Afrykarium is included in the ticket price):
- Normal ticket – 60 PLN.
- Discounted ticket – 50 PLN.
- Family ticket (2 adults + 3 children) – 195 PLN.
- Children up to 3 years old enter for free.
Attention! Tickets can be purchased online, but it is not possible to buy a family ticket! Also, it is not possible to buy a checkout ticket for a child under 3, so there is a big risk that you will have to stand in line for the checkout on the spot anyway.
Despite the fact that it is quite expensive, we even encourage you to overpay for a ticket – you can buy tickets more expensive by a zloty, and the difference goes to animal protection. A penny won't save a penny, and with the number of visitors, if everyone donated a penny, the zoo would get more than a million a year to help the animals!
Directions and parking at Zoo Wroclaw
You can get to the zoo by public transportation (MPK Wrocław). Be sure to head to the stops: Centennial Hall or Zoo.
- Streetcars: 1, 2, 4,10,11 and 16
- Buses: 145 i 146
If you are going by car, you should know that Zoo Wroclaw does not have a dedicated parking lot for visitors. You can leave your car at the Centennial Hall parking lot, and an hour costs from 6.5 to 8 zlotys. A cheaper option is to park in the further parking lot, at ul. Wróblewskiego 9 (prices: 15-25 PLN for the whole day).
Exact address:
Wroclaw Zoo
Wróblewskiego 1-5,
51-618 Wroclaw
Website address: https://zoo.wroclaw.en/
Accommodation near Zoo Wroclaw
Finding accommodation in Wroclaw should not be a problem, as there are really a lot of accommodations in the city.
Here are some of them, not necessarily closest to the zoo, but worth a look:
- Novotel Wroclaw Centrum
Address: Powstancow Slaskich 7b, Krzyki, 53-332 Wroclaw
Pricesfrom PLN 220 for a double room
Link: http://r4b.link/novotel-wroclaw - Mercure Wroclaw Centrum
Address: Pl. Dominikański 1, Old Town, 50-159 Wrocław
PricesFrom 360 PLN for a double room
Link: http://r4b.link/mercure-wroclaw - Scandic Wroclaw
Address: ul. Piłsudskiego 49/57, Old Town, 50-032 Wrocław
PricesFrom 300 PLN for a double room
Link: http://r4b.link/scandic-wroclaw - Traffic Hotel Wroclaw
Address: ul. Świdnicka 28, Old Town, 50-029 Wrocław
Prices: from 240 PLN for a double room
Link: http://r4b.link/traffic-wroclaw
Our opinion about Zoo Wroclaw
In our opinion, the Wrocław Zoo is a must-see if you come to the capital of Lower Silesia with children. Although, as we wrote above, it is worth visiting here not only if you are traveling with children 🙂
In addition, the Afrykarium is sure to surprise everyone, both big and small. The Afrykarium very coolly shows the direction in which zoos around the world are (and should be) heading now. Because in addition to entertainment, the educational aspect is also very important.