Gdańsk Zoo (Oliwa)

Gdańsk Zoo in Oliwa (Gdański Ogród Zoologiczny, roughly "guh-DAHN-skee OH-groot zoh-oh-loh-GEECH-nee") is the largest zoo in Poland by area, set in the forested Leśny Młyn valley inside the Tricity Landscape Park on the edge of Gdańsk. You can see Andean condors, Rothschild's giraffes, Angolan lions and anoas, which no other Polish zoo shows. It is open every day of the year, which makes it a good family option in Gdańsk even in autumn and winter.

Where it is and why it matters

The zoo is in Oliwa, a district of Gdańsk, on Poland's Baltic coast. Fly to Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport, then reach Oliwa by city transport or taxi. A menagerie operated in Oliwa from 1927 until World War II, and the present zoo opened on May 1, 1954. Its first director, Michał Massalski, led its growth in the 1950s and 1960s. It has belonged to EAZA, the European zoo association, since 1993, and drew 589,177 visitors in 2024.

What to see

According to the official website, the zoo covers about 125 hectares (around 309 acres) and keeps 164 species and 868 animals from all continents. It takes part in dozens of European breeding programs for endangered species.

• Condors – the zoo is known for breeding Andean condors.
• Rothschild's giraffes – housed in their own pavilion, opened in 2008.
• Angolan lions – at the zoo since 2014, in a separate pavilion.
• Anoa – shown since 2005, the only Polish zoo to do so.
• Penguins, elephants, zebras and antelopes – the collection includes African penguins and Asian elephants, and zebras and antelopes share paddocks near the giraffes.
• Vizoo app – guides you around the zoo on a suggested route.

How to visit

Plan 3 to 5 hours for an unhurried visit. The zoo lies in a forest and on valley slopes, so wear comfortable shoes. Families can rent strollers. The lion house, giraffe house and bird and reptile pavilion open at 9:00 and close half an hour before the zoo does. No reservation is required, and you can buy tickets online. Signs are in Polish, so English may be limited.

Opening hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

In October the ticket office at the main gate and car park is open 9:00 to 16:00, and visiting runs until 17:00. In November and December the office is open 9:00 to 14:00, with visiting until 15:00. The zoo is open daily, including holidays and long weekends.

Ticket prices for October to March are 30 PLN regular, 20 PLN reduced and 90 PLN family, plus 15 PLN for groups. Children under 3 enter free with proof of age. The reduced ticket applies to children aged 3 to 7, pupils, students up to age 26 and pensioners. The family ticket is for up to 5 people including at least two children under 18. An annual pass costs 150 PLN (regular) or 120 PLN (reduced). The zoo does not accept Polish tourist vouchers. Prices may change, so check zoo.gdansk.pl.

Facilities and regular visitors

The zoo's website lists maps of the grounds, stroller rental, luggage lockers, catering and the Vizoo app, so you can plan the day in advance. Holders of a valid Gdańsk Resident Card can add the Gdańsk Lion package for 90 PLN (regular) or 70 PLN (reduced), which gives repeated entry for a year. The zoo also runs education programs and posts announcements, such as keeper job vacancies, in its news section. Emilia Salach became director in 2023, replacing Michał Targowski, who had led the zoo since 1991. The zoo takes part in European breeding programs covering 80 species.

Getting there and parking

The address is ul. Karwieńska 3, 80-328 Gdańsk. Bus 169 (Oliwa – ZOO – Owczarnia) runs all year, with bus 622 in summer and bus G on summer weekends and holidays. By city train (SKM), get off at Gdańsk Oliwa. The zoo is about 2.3 km from the center of Oliwa, and bike racks for over 60 bicycles stand at the entrance.

Parking for cars, coaches and motorcycles is on ul. Karwieńska, about 300 m before the entrance, at 7 PLN per hour or 30 PLN per day, payable by card, coins or the APCOA FLOW app. There are 10 accessible spaces. The parking-side entrance works from May to September; the main gate is open daily all year.

Nearby

Nearby are the Oceanarium in Gdynia and the Tricity Landscape Park.