Sights and Attractions

Blijdorp Zoo Rotterdam

Diergaarde Blijdorp hosting over 1.3 million visitors each year is one of most popular attractions in the Netherlands. It was first built between 1937 and 1941 by a design of architect Sybold van Ravensteyn. All buildings have decorations referring to the origin of the animals. Many of the animal dwellings have been replaced or modified during the years in order to improve the animal's well being. Especially in the last few decades the zoo has gone through major changes transforming from a traditional zoo with cages to a modern park with large enclosures, pastures and rocks mimicking the animal's natural habitats. In addition to that the zoo has gained international recognition as botanical garden and a arboretum (tree garden). In 2000 the Oceanium was added. An underwater complex on the other side of the rail road tracks was built. One of its biggest draws is the 22 metre long shark tunnel. Different species of sharks swim around you. Many of the fish species present in the North Sea are represented here.  Next to the Oceanium is the Malayan Bush, a varied Asian landscape with lots of special animals like  gibbons and babiroessa's and interesting too is the suspension bridge and water fall in the free flight bird sanctuary and the Asian bog land with its water birds and swamp dwellers. The  "Taman Indah" (Malayan for beautiful garden) is home to rhinos, tapirs and elephants. Further on is the green gorilla island, with climbing trees and rocks. From the African lookout you watch  the gorillas at ease.   Blijdorp active participation in international breeding programmes for species under threat of extinction there are frequent births of elephants, red pandas, gorillas and okapis.  Adress: Blijdorplaan 8 website: www.diergaardeblijdorp.nl  Public Transport: bus lines 40 and 44  from  Rotterdam Central Railway Station (4 minute journey) Car: on the Ring Road North (A20) exit 13 "Blijdorp". Guarded paid parking available. Open daily in summer 9.00-18.00 hrs and in winter 9.00-17.00 hrs. From 25 May 2021 the Zoo will reopen for visitors with a booked time slot. The indoor habitats, however, will remain closed for the time being.