Wrocław Zoo and Africarium

Wrocław Zoo (Zoo Wrocław; the city is pronounced VROTS-wahf) is the oldest zoo within Poland's present borders, open since 1865, and one of the most visited zoos in Europe. Around 12,000 animals of more than 1,100 species live on about 32 hectares, and its star attraction is the Africarium, a huge oceanarium devoted entirely to African wildlife. It sits right across the road from the UNESCO-listed Centennial Hall, so it fits neatly into a day in eastern Wrocław.

Where it is and how to get there

Wrocław is in southwest Poland, about 270 km from Warsaw and roughly 350 km from Berlin; Kraków is about three hours away by train. The zoo lies some 4 km east of the Old Town. Trams 1, 2, 4, 10, 13 and 19 and buses 145 and 146 stop at Hala Stulecia / ZOO. From Wrocław Główny station take bus 145 or 146 or tram 2; from the airport, bus 106 runs to the station. Tickets are sold in machines at stops or by contactless card on board.

The zoo has no parking lot of its own. Use the underground garage at Centennial Hall (entrance from Kopernika Street, 800+ spaces), a three-minute walk over a footbridge.

A short history

The zoo opened on 10 July 1865, when Wrocław was the German city of Breslau. Several original buildings survive: the Bear Tower (1863–64), a Moorish-style monkey house (1887), the elephant house (1888) and an aviary from 1889 that still houses birds. The entrance gate was designed in 1935 by Richard Konwiarz. During the 1945 siege of "Fortress Breslau" about 85% of the animals died and the zoo was closed. It reopened under Polish administration on 18 July 1948. For decades its directors Antoni and Hanna Gucwiński were household names in Poland thanks to their TV show about animals, broadcast from 1971.

The Africarium

Opened on 26 October 2014, the Africarium circulates some 15 million liters of water through its tanks. There is no separate ticket: it is included in zoo admission. Highlights by zone:

• Red Sea: coral reef fish,
• East Africa: Nile hippos, which you can also watch underwater, aardvarks, dik-diks and free-flying birds,
• Mozambique Channel: sharks, rays and a green turtle gliding over an acrylic walk-through tunnel,
• Skeleton Coast: African penguins and Cape fur seals,
• Congo Jungle: Nile crocodiles and manatees.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially with kids. Beyond the Africarium, don't miss the Madagascar pavilion with lemurs, Secrets of the Sahara and the Odrarium, which shows the ecosystem of the local Oder River. Plan 1–1.5 hours for the Africarium alone and 4–5 hours for the whole zoo. Paths are wide and mostly stroller-friendly. Weekends and summer holidays get crowded, so arrive at opening, head to the Africarium first and buy tickets online, where they are cheaper.

A few extras worth knowing: on Thursdays (except public holidays) seniors and visitors with disabilities get cheaper tickets; an annual pass costs PLN 198; and the zoo occasionally sells overnight stays in the Africarium's underwater tunnel. The gate on the Oder River side (Japanese Gate) is open only until the end of September, so in the cooler months use the main entrance on Wróblewskiego Street.

Opening hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

• October: Mon–Thu 9:00–17:00 (ticket desks until 16:00); Fri–Sun and holidays 9:00–18:00 (desks until 17:00). November–February: 9:00–16:00 (desks until 15:00). Open every day of the year; entry only while ticket desks are open.
• Tickets: adult online from PLN 69 (PLN 99 at the gate), reduced online from PLN 59 (PLN 89), family 2+2 online from PLN 225. Children under 3 and seniors 75+ go free.
• Buy only on the official site (bilety.zoo.wroclaw.pl): the zoo warns about fake ticket websites.
• Contact: +48 71 340 71 19, pok@zoo.wroc.pl. Educational classes in English are available for groups.

Nearby

Across the road, Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia), a 1913 reinforced-concrete landmark on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is surrounded by a pergola with a multimedia fountain. The Japanese Garden in Szczytnicki Park is a short walk away.