Artis Royal Zoo - Natura Artis Magistra, Amsterdam

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The Artis Zoo is a great place to visit with your children.

Artis is more than just a zoo, it's also an Aquarium, Botanical garden, Zoological Museum, Geological Museum and Planetarium. In fact Artis is the Royal Zoological Society "Natura Artis Magistra" founded on May 1, 1838 at the initiative of G.F.Westerman.

The garden is the oldest in Amsterdam and some of its unique trees are over 200 years old.

Opening hours:
Each day 9AM - 5PM

Admission: Euro 18.95

Play around with the Artis webcam

I did not visit the zoo as in my opinion it is fairly expensive, the area is fairly small & my dutch friend suggests visiting the zoo in Rotterdam which offers a safari park like experience. The entrance includes an hourly show at the planetarium, also entry to Aquarium, Zoological & Geological Museum

Opening 9am – 5pm & 6pm in summer
As at 2009 Adult Euro 18.50 & Child 3-9yrs Euro 15 English guide Euro 2.50
Trams 8. 10 & 14 from centraal station

Naturis Artis Magistra, Amsterdams´zoo dates back from 1838 when some people wanted a zoo accesible for all people and not just a private affair for the rich as was done a few years earlier in London.

It quickly growed to the size it now has, a surpringly large garden within the city. My two favorite things from this zoo are the polar bears and the Aquarium. The Aquarium is houses in a wonderfull Neo-classical building and is recently been restored. There where a few huge tanks added with eco-systems from around the globe like a mangrove wood and an Amsterdam Canal!

Artis is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands, founded in 1838.

Opening Times and entrance
1 april -31 october 9.00 to 18.00
1 november to 31 march 9.00 to 17.00
ZOOmeravond
21 augustus 9.00 - 20.52
28 augustus 9.00 - 22.00
24 december 9.00 - 16.00
31 december 9.00 - 16.00
1 januari 10.00 - 17.00

The entrance fee in 2010
adults is € 18.50
senior citizins (65+) € 17,-
children from 3 to 9 years € 15,-
Zooguide in English € 3,50
Groups exceeding 20 people 17,-
An entry ticket for Artis also provides admission to the Planetarium, the Geological Museum, the Aquarium and the Zoological Museum. Dogs are not allowed in the zoo.

It is nice Zoo, but not SO impressive. We were there when temperature were too low and many animals were off-shown, but nevertheless - some of them (elephants, monkeys etc.) were in special warm indoors. I am sure thet in summer it much better.

Oceanarium is fantastic!!! I did enjoy it!

Easy to get from Central Station.

Nice shop with souvenirs.

Entrance is too expensive - 18,5 euro per person.

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While not the most impressive zoo I have ever visited, Artis zoo is large and has a good variety of animals. A large aquarium and a planetarium add to the experience, as does a very impressive Butterfly house.

Many of the animals cages seemed a little small to me, especially the big cats (they seemed to do nothing put pace back and forth). As with most zoos there has been no attempt whatsoever to plan a route through it so you can see everything so keep the map handy or you will get lost amongst the maze of avenues between the enclosures.

During the summer the zoo stays open until sunset but be aware that the shop, restaurants and other attractions such as the planetarium/aquarium do not, they will close at six sharp. We combined this trip with the Troppenmuseum only 5 minutes walk away.

Artis Founded in 1838, it’s Netherlands oldest Zoo, you find an impressive medley of the historic and contemporary. The winding paths, majestic trees, stunning sculptures and historical buildings on 14 hectares of land are home to 700 species of animals: amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds, mammals and insects. The zoo also has an aquarium, botanical gardens, zoological museum, geological museum, a planetarium and a new butterfly pavilion.
You can fallow a statues route, historical monuments and beautiful formal gardens, including many tulips in bloom in spring time. English guided tours are available on request.
Additional children’s activities and programs are organized on a regular basis.

The lines weren't long so why not. It turns out this zoo is pretty damn good. And the in-house cafe sells Heinekens for what I'd call "reasonable." On a beautiful day, cehcking this place out while picking up a few beers at each of the cafes along the path made for a fun time.