Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden

Fun For the Whole Family!

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The main entrance of the Zoo

A place where regardless of age, everyone finds something entertaining! In Budapest Zoo (Fővárosi Állat- és Növénykert) you can see

  • around 1050 animal species from the African savannah to the arctic area, and
  • more than 2 000 plant species.

All animals live within conditions similar to their original habitat.

The Magic Hill/Varázshegy is a wondrous indoor exhibition hall on 3 000 sqm and several levels with

  • unique exhibitions and
  • interactive programs for kids of all ages.

Quick Links:

LocationTicketsOpening HoursHistoryTop Attractions  – Events in the ZooFairytale Park/Pannon ParkAttractions Nearby

The arched gate of the zoo with a stone elephant statue at each side
Two stone elephants guard the entrance of the Zoo

Small sandy dessert area, tiny forest, seaside, lakes, rock cave provide real homes for the inhabitants of the zoo, who really look well taken care of.

Extensive green patches, leafy groves, remarkable plants and flowers make the place a refreshing asylum within a bustling city.

The Zoo & Botanical Garden is a must-see attraction for tourists coming to our city with their kids.

Note:

The Amusement Park next door closed in 2013 – the area has been given over to the Zoo.

Two new interactive parks are being developed here:

  • the Fairytale Park (Mesepark): a story park with tame animals, play house, animal patting area, and a modern bird hospital that gives insight into the animal rescure work.
  • strong>Pannon Park (planned opening: in two phases: 2018 and 2019): a modern exhibition area evoking the life in the ancient Pannon wilderness in spacious paddocks and a state-of-the-art indoor park, called biodome.

A Bit of Zoo History

As one of the oldest zoos in the world Budapest Zoo looks back on great past and many of its monuments witnessed historic events.

visitors feeding 2 giraffes in the Zoo

It opened in 1866 as a private institution. The city took over the place at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries and started an impressive development.

The most remarkable buildings of the zoo were established at that time:

  • the India-inspired Elephant House (by Kornél Neuschloss) with a look-out tower at its top
  • the elephant head at the main entrance
  • the nearly 100-year old artificial Small and Great Rocks
  • the animal houses by Károly Koós

Most parts of the zoo underwent reconstructions during the decades. Some sections are being restored now and in the coming years too.

Two new aviaries, the Papuan Aviary and the Parrot Haven, have been added in 2006.

The polar bears and sea-lions moved to their renewed home called Arctic Panorama in June 2006.

Top Attractions in the Zoo and Botanical Garden

the blue-tiled domes of the Elephant house
The Zsolnay-tiled Elephant House
  • The Elephant House to the right of the entrance has a small tower at its top where you can get a beautiful panorama view of the City Park.
  • To the left of the entrance stands the Palm Tree House & Aquarium, home to lush tropical plants, orchids, birds, and reptiles and exotic fishes.
  • For the little ones the animal petting area is the most fascinating place within the zoo. They can caress and feed the goats, sheep. See our photos about our 2-year old son’s encounter with the animals.
  • the remodelled birdhouse (by Kós Károly)
  • in the Small Rock you can have a meal in the cave restaurant
  • You can see native Hungarian farm animals in original-looking farm buildings: swallow bellied woolly pigs, bold necked hens, spotted cattle, mudi dogs, cikta sheep, hucul horse.
  • In the butterfly garden colourful butterflies
  • the Majomvilág (World of Apes) gives home to gorillas, lemurs, mangabeys
  • kids can climb, crawl, slide in a superb and child-friendly playground

Should you get peckish during your exploration of the zoo, you can get snacks, ice cream and other refreshments from the vendors.

The Gundel Patisserie is highly recommended for delicious cakes and ice cream.

Take at look our Facebook photo album about our last visit to the Zoo.

Location, Getting There

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Map of the Zoo (Click to Enlarge!)

Address: Állatkerti krt. 6-12., City Park (Városliget), XIV. district,

  • take the M1 (yellow) metro line, get off at Széchenyi fürdő stop or
  • trolley bus 72 (Állatkert stop), or 75, 79 ( Állatkerti út stop)
  • buses 20E, 30, 30A and 105: Hősök tere stop

Tickets To Budapest Zoo (2023)

TIP: Buy your tourist card in advance! The card entitles you to discount admission to many attractions including free/discounted entry to thermal baths and museums. You can also travel on the public transport system free with your card.

  • Adults: 4 500HUF
  • Children (2-18 years): 3 200 HUF
  • Student (over the age of 18 with valid student ID): 3 200 HUF
  • Retiree: 3 200 HUF
  • Family ticket (2 adults & 2 children): 13 300 HUF
  • Family ticket (2 adults & 1 child): 11 000 HUF
  • Family ticket (1 adult & 2 children): 9 400 HUF
  • Family ticket (1 adult & 1 child): 6 900 HUF

Note: Children under 14 years cannot enter the Zoo without adult supervision.

Tickets are valid to the Aquarium and to the Palm House too.

Opening Hours:

  • January – February: every day 09.00 – 16.00, animal houses: 10.00 – 15.30
  • March: Mon – Thurs: 09.00 – 17.00, animal houses: 10.00 – 16.30, Fri -Sun: 09.00 – 17.30, animal houses: 10.00 – 17.00
  • April: Mon – Thurs: 09.00 – 17.30, animal houses: 10.00 – 17.00, Fri -Sun: 09.00 – 18.00, animal houses: 10.00 – 17.30
  • May: Mon – Thurs: 09.00 – 18.00, animal houses: 10.00 – 17.30, Fri -Sun: 09.00 – 19.00, animal houses: 10.00 – 18.30
  • June-July-August: Mon – Thurs: 09.00 – 18.00, animal houses: 10.00 – 17.30, Fri – Sun: 09.00 – 19.00, animal houses: 10.00 – 18.30
  • September: Mon – Thurs: 09.00 – 17.30, animal houses: 10.00 – 17.00, Fri -Sun: 09.00 – 18.00, animal houses: 10.00 – 17.30
  • October: Mon – Thurs: 09.00 – 17.00, animal houses: 10.00 – 16.30, Fri -Sun: 09.00 – 17.30, animal houses: 10.00 – 17.00
  • November-December: every day 09.00 – 16.00, animal houses: 10.00 – 15.30 except: 24th December and 31st December when the zoo is open from 09.00 till 13.00.

Note: The cashier closes 1 hour before the closing time of the Zoo!

TIP: Time your visit on a weekday. Monday is perfect because many things are closed on Monday but not the Zoo. On weekends local families and tourists overrun the place.

Fairytale Park (Mese Park)/Pannon Park

the historic wooden roller coaster in Mese Park
Wooden roller coaster

A new, awesome exhibition site named Pannon Park is being built on the site of the former Amusement Park.

It will transport visitors back to ancient times when

  • elephants and apes lived in the Carpathian basin and
  • sharks swam in the sea once occupying the area.

Attractions and activities of the Pannon Park (you can go on a semitropical boat tour for example) will open in two stages: in 2018 and 2019.

The games and activities of the Holnemvolt Park (temporarily renamed to Fairytale Park/Mese Park) will also be renewed.

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The heritage carousel in Mese Park

Some of the games from the old Amusement park will be open o the public only in 2018-2019:

  • the heritage merry-go-round,
  • the wooden roller coaster and
  • the fairy tale boat.

The rest of the park will open in 2017.

TIP: For more information visit the official website of the Zoo & Botanical Garden.

Other Attractions Near the Zoo

You can devote a whole day to the City Park and its neighbourhood.

the castle with a green lawn in the foreground
Vajdahunyad Castle

I recommend that you combine

  • visiting the Zoo with
  • a trip to the Fairytale Park (Mese Park) next door,
  • have lunch in Bagolyvár Restaurant or at Robinson’s (make sure you book a table at both places, click to read more about these restaurants).

After lunch go rowing (ice skating in winter) on the Park’s lake then view the fairy-tale like Vajdahunyad Castle.

Do spare some time to take a look at the grandiose monuments at Heroes’ Square,.

If you have time drop by the two museums flanking the two sides of the square:

Events, Festivals in the Zoo

Night Walks

On specific days you can Take a Night Walk in the Zoo between 18.30 – 22.00. It’s a good opportunity out about the Zoo’s and its inhabitants nightlife secrets which you almost certainly can not see in daylight!

Professional guides lead you through the park and you can take a peak behind the glass walls and runways.

During the walk you’ll be treated to a light dinner of sandwiches and drinks (cold and hot.

Price (No Discounts Are Available):

  • 20 000 HUF.

More info on the official webiste of the event.

Carnival in the Zoo, February

Entry is only 100 HUF for children under 14 yrs if they come dressed in costume or carnival mask.

The Zoo will have a festival over the first weekend of February with fun programs in the Varázshegy/Magic Hill between 10. 00 – 16.00 Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

  • On 2nd February, at 11.00 you can join the carnival parade. You can also watch special animal shows each day of the event.
  • On 3rd and 4th February the Bóbita Band provides the music on the costume ball starting at 12.30 (venue: Magic Hill).

Note: February 02. is a unique date in Hungary similar to the Groundhog’s Day observed in the USA and Canada. In Hungary the question is whether the bear sees its shadow or not?

According to folk tradition if the the answer is yes, (the sun is shining) the bear goes back to sleep and winter lasts 40 more days. If the answer is no (the sky is overcast) then it stays out to play and spring is just around the corner.

Find out about other Budapest festivals and things to do in February 2019.

Find out about other interesting children-things-to-do in Budapest.

Related:

Hungarian Railway MuseumMiniversumNatural History Museum BudapestMargaret IslandGellért Hill