Zoo Gdańsk

Gdańsk Zoo (Gdański Ogród Zoologiczny) is the largest zoo in Poland by area. It lies in Oliwa, a leafy district of Gdańsk, and covers more than 123 hectares inside the Tricity Landscape Park. It is a place for a full day of walking among forest, hills and enclosures, not a quick stop to tick off a few cages.

Where is Gdańsk Zoo and what is the terrain like?

The zoo occupies the Leśny Młyn valley in Oliwa. The ground is hilly and heavily wooded, so a visit feels more like a hike through a landscape park than a stroll around a flat compound. Paths run through the shade of old trees, and the animals live in enclosures set into the natural shape of the valley. Comfortable shoes are a good idea, as distances between sections can be considerable.

What is the history of the zoo?

Oliwa had a menagerie from 1927. Until the outbreak of World War II it housed deer, a brown bear, bison, giraffes and monkeys, among others. The present zoo was officially opened on 1 May 1954, on grounds that had been home to a sanatorium for people with respiratory and rheumatic illnesses until 1945. Its rapid growth in the 1950s and 1960s is credited to its first director, Michał Massalski. In 1993 the zoo was admitted to EAZA, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria.

Which animals can you see?

At the end of 2023 the zoo was home to 146 species and 859 animals, including 68 species of mammals and 45 species of birds. Capybaras and penguins are among the visitors' favourites. One penguin, Kokosanka, became famous as the winner of the Penguin of the Year 2024 vote. The collection keeps changing, with new arrivals such as a three-striped palm squirrel and a Bactrian camel.

What is there for families with children?

Younger visitors have a mini zoo, a playground and two ropes courses. A visit is therefore about more than watching animals, and children can burn off energy too. It is a natural choice for a family outing in the Tricity, especially on warm, sunny days.

Conservation

The zoo takes part in breeding and conservation programmes for endangered species. As an EAZA member it joins European cooperation in animal breeding, which gives a visit an educational side: you can learn why some species need support and what work goes into their survival.

Frequently asked questions

Is Gdańsk Zoo the largest in Poland? Yes, by area. At over 123 hectares it is the largest zoological garden in the country.

Which district of Gdańsk is it in? Oliwa, in the Leśny Młyn valley, next to the greenery of the Tricity Landscape Park.

How much time should I allow? Because of the size of the grounds and the hilly layout, plan for most of a day, especially with children.

Is it good for kids? Yes. There is a mini zoo, a playground and two ropes courses, and capybaras and penguins are big hits with young visitors.

When did the zoo open? The current zoo opened on 1 May 1954, while an earlier menagerie in Oliwa existed from 1927 until the Second World War.

Check the official website for current opening hours and entry rules before you go.