Artis Zoo Amsterdam
Yes, there is a zoo in Amsterdam! Founded in 1838, ARTIS (Natura Artis Magistra) is the oldest zoo of the Netherlands and the fifth oldest still existing zoo in the world.
Artis has over 1,000 different species of animals, plants and microbes and the park has several different habitats for the animals such as the Wolves Woods, Gorilla House, and Wildlife Zone. The zoo is located in the city (walking distance from Amsterdam Central Station) and is about 14 hectares big.
With 1.4 million visitors per year, Artis is considered being one of the top attractions of Amsterdam. Visiting Artis is a great way to spend your day in Amsterdam.
Artis in short:
- Age: All age
- Time needed to visit the Artis Amsteram: 3-4 hours
- Where in Amsterdam: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40, 1018 CZ Amsterdam
- Discount possible?: Yes, for kids and students
- Can you use the Iamsterdam pass for ARTIS Amsterdam zoo?: Yes! Free entrance with the city Iamsterdam pass
- Neighborhood: Plantage
- Close to: Hortus Botanicus, National Holocaust Museum, Hermitage, Amsterdam Museum, Rembrandt House
- Buy Artis tickets online: recommended. Explore here available Artis tickets for this week
What is Artis Royal Zoo Amsterdam?
Artis Zoo in Amsterdam is one of the oldest and most beloved zoos in the world. It was founded in 1838 and is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands. It is located in the Plantage neighborhood, which is a beautiful area of Amsterdam.
The zoo has a rich history, and has been home to some of the most famous animals in the world.
What can you see at Artis?
Artis houses a variety of animal species, from small mammals to large mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Some of the most popular animals at Artis Zoo are the zebras, giraffes, butterflies, lions, elephants and monkeys.
The zoo also features a variety of birds, such as macaws, flamingos and toucans. Other attractions include the Insectarium, which is home to a variety of insects, spiders and other invertebrates, and the Aquarium, which is home to a variety of fish, amphibians and reptiles.
The Artis Zoo also offers a variety of educational experiences, such as guided tours, animal shows and interactive activities.
There are also a number of restaurants and cafes located within the zoo, as well as a playground and picnic areas.
Short History of Artis:
In the 1800s, most European zoos were privately owned, but following the London Zoo which was founded in 1828, ARTIS also wanted that it’s collection was generally accessible to everyone. Artis was established with the mission to ‘Promote the Knowledge of Natural History”. More than 180 years later, this zoo is still open public and the park has expended throughout the years.
Artis Zoo is a great place to visit if you are looking to spend some time with animals and interact with them. It is a great place to take the family, as there is something for everyone to enjoy
More than “big animals”: Artis Micropia – Discover the world of microbes
Artis Micropia in Amsterdam is a unique, interactive museum that offers visitors a fascinating look into the world of microorganisms. Located inside the Artis Zoo, the museum is the world’s first dedicated to the microscopic world of microbes. To enter Micropia, you will need to purchase the Artis+ Micropia combination ticket!
It seeks to educate and inform visitors about the vast diversity of these miniscule organisms that are essential to the health of the planet and all its inhabitants. Visitors can see real microbes, and learn about their roles in the environment.
Read here more about Micropia
Some Artis Royal Zoo Amsterdam FAQ:
How to get to Artis Amsterdam?
There are multiple ways to get to Artis. You can take either the tram, subway bus or the car. Walk to Artis from Amsterdam Central Station is also possible.
1. By tram: From Amsterdam Central Station, you can take tram 14 and get off at the tramstop called “Artis”. From there, it’s a short, 1-minute walk to Artis (just only about 120m from the main entrance). You can also take trams 7 and 19. They run from Slotermeer to Azartplein and Sloterdijk Station to Diemen Sniep respectively, stop at Alexanderplein, which is a ten minute walk from the main ARTIS entrance.
2. Metro/subway: The nearest metro station is “Waterlooplein”. You can take metros 51, 53, and 54 from Amsterdam Central and get out at Waterlooplein. It is a ten minute walk from the metro station to the main entrance.
3. Bus: You can also take the bus if you want. The buses 22 and 43 from Amsterdam Central go to “Kadijksplein” and it’s a six minute walk from there to the main entrance.
4. Walking: Artis is located in the Plantage area, which is also a walkable distance of about 25 minutes from central station.
With the Iamsterdam City pass, you can travel for free as your tram, subway, and bus tickets are included.
Parking at Artis
Yes, it is possible to park at Artis zoo in Amsterdam. There are a number of car parks available on site. ARTIS has its own parking lot that visitors can use at an affordable rate. There are five designated spots for disabled parking, as well as two free public disabled spaces located nearby on the street.
The ARTIS car park is located a short 150 meter walk away from the main entrance (Plantage Kerklaan 40). If it’s a busy day, visitors can opt to use the Markenhoven car park or nearby P+R locations and take public transportation from there. This car park also has six electric charging points for cars, two of which are situated opposite the Plantage.
Do you need to queue to get into Artis Royal Zoo?
As other attractions in Amsterdam, there is often a queue infront of the entrence of Artis. Especially when the weather is nice or in the weekend. If you don’t have a ticket yet, then you will need to queue at a special ticket counter before you can get in.
If you already have purchased a ticket online, you can just show your ticket and walk inside. It saves you lots of precious time, especially when you only have a short time in Amsterdam.
Buy Your ARTIS Zoo tickets with Free Cancellation
With millions of people visiting Amsterdam every year, Amsterdam is a very popular travel destination. This means that tickets for popular tourist attractions are quickly sold out and that there are often long queues in front of the ticket counter.
It is therefore really recommended to purchase your Artis tickets in advance, then you know that you can visit this place for sure when you are in Amsterdam.
🛎️ If you buy your Artis tickets online, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can even get into the building quicker. This will save you lots of precious time in Amsterdam. With a ticket in your inbox, you have nothing to worry about.
The Location of Artis Royal Zoo Amsterdam:
On this map you can see where Artis is located and if you want to know how to get there by tram, car, subway or bus, see the description above! Artis is located on the east side of the city center, at the Plantage Area
Source & resources: ARTIS Zoo, Buy Artis Zoo tickets