Zoos in Poland

The tripto catalogue lists 30 zoos, petting zoos, aquariums and animal parks – one of the safest categories for a trip with children.

Warsaw Zoo in Praga, opened in 1928, has more than 12,000 animals on 40 hectares – including gorillas, sharks and polar bears – and its history is linked to the Żabiński family, who hid Jews there during the war. The Afrykarium in Wrocław is an African-themed aquarium with a shark tunnel, hippos and manatees, included in the zoo ticket. Gdańsk Zoo in Oliwa is the largest zoo in Poland by area and is open every day all year. Kraków Zoo in Wolski Forest has about 1,500 animals of more than 270 species, and Opole Zoo on Bolko Island more than 1,000 animals, including western lowland gorillas. At the tip of the Hel Peninsula, the University of Gdańsk seal sanctuary shows grey seals at feeding times with a short talk.

Most places in this category are in Pomerania (close to 10, including the seal sanctuary and seaside attractions), followed by the Silesian region and Greater Poland (a handful each).

In practice: allow two to five hours for a large zoo. Tickets usually cost 30–70 zł; many zoos are cheaper off-season (Gdańsk: 30 zł from October to March, 45 zł in summer) and online (Wrocław: from 69 zł instead of 99 zł at the gate). Children under 3 usually enter free. Tropical pavilions such as the Afrykarium also work in the rain and in winter.