Zoological Garden Tierpark Berlin

The zoological garden Tierpark Berlin is one of two zoos in Germany's capital Berlin. As Europe's largest landscape zoo and thus Europe's biggest animal park, it is home to about 9,000 animals from over 800 species. Spread on an area of 160 hectares (400 acres) - which is about 224 football fields, it is located on the former grounds of Friedrichsfelde Palace, which is still situated within the zoo's expanse.

Quality Family Time and Lots of Animal Fun

Due to its enormous size, the Tierpark Berlin offers plenty of things to do and check out for both the young and the old. For instance, there is a petting zoo with goats and sheep within touching distance, Bilbo's Hoppel Hut (a rabbit paradise fantastic for smaller children), a huge playground with some water features, and there is the Tierpark train, which is free of charge and perfect for tired children. The tour through the Tierpark is about 4 km and lasts 20 min. 

Founded in July 1955 as counterpart to West Berlin's Zoological Garden, the Tierpark Berlin opened on the site of Friedrichsfelde Palace. Its first director, Heinrich Dathe, retained his position for more than 30 years. On its opening day, about 400 animals from 120 species were on display for the Tierpark's visitors, including Siberian tigers and Asian elephants. Dathe started to expand the Tierpark up to 160 hectares. Some of his first projects comprised the bear rock enclosure, the camel pasture, the snake farm and polar bear enclosure as well as the bear canyon. In 1963, the opening of the Alfred-Brehm-Haus was a worldwide sensation. 

Strategic Development Plan and Major Investments

In 2014, Dr Andreas Knieriem became director of the Tierpark Berlin. A development plan for the next 20 years was developed for both the Zoological Garden Berlin and the Tierpark Berlin. Having started in 2017, the Alfred-Brehm-Haus is to be transformed into a modern rainforest house. Plus, there will be other investments, all together worth $30 million euros. 

As Tierpark Berlin is located in the east of Berlin, it is still quite centrally located and very close to the B1 in Friedrichsfelde in Lichtenberg.

Public Transport

If you favor to arrive at the Baerenschaufenster entrance, take the U-Bahn U5 and get off at Tierpark. You are also free to arrive by tram (M17, M27, M37) or bus (296 and 396). In case you prefer to enter the Tierpark at the Schloss entrance, take the tram lines M17, 27 or 37 or the Bus 194. 

By Car

There are plenty of parking spaces available adjacent to the Tierpark's two entrances. Visitors are charged a 4 € parking fee, which is not time restricted.