Zoo Berlin or Tierpark? Animal Days Out for Berlin Families

If you have moved to Berlin from abroad, you will soon be asked whether you prefer the Zoo or the Tierpark. This guide is for parents planning a family day out and for anyone without children who simply wants an afternoon with animals: it explains how the two venues differ, where the Aquarium fits in and what to check before you leave home.

• Two animal parks, two very different days
• Zoo Berlin: pandas, hippos and 180 years of history
• Tierpark Berlin: space to roam in the east
• The Aquarium after its reopening
• Planning a visit with children
• FAQ

Two animal parks, two very different days

Berlin has two large animal parks, and newcomers often don’t realise how different they are. Zoo Berlin calls itself the oldest and most frequently visited zoo in Germany. It also says it holds the largest variety of species of any zoo in the world and the only giant pandas in the country. Tierpark Berlin (literally “animal park”) lies in former East Berlin, a short train ride from Alexanderplatz. It describes itself as Europe’s largest animal park, with 160 hectares of parkland around the historic Friedrichsfelde manor house.

A simple rule works well. Choose the Zoo if you want to see as many species as possible in one visit, and choose the Tierpark if your family likes open space and a long walk between enclosures. Both run conservation work through the Berlin World Wild programme. If that matters to you, either one is a good place to start that conversation with older children.

Zoo Berlin: pandas, hippos and 180 years of history

Zoo Berlin is celebrating its 180th year, and the place leans into that history while modernising. For most families, the giant pandas are the main draw. The panda twins Leni and Lotti have just turned two, and since they are the only giant pandas in Germany, expect a crowd around their enclosure.

The newest family favourite is Brötchen (“bread roll”), a young pygmy hippo whose name was recently announced. The German TV presenter and baker Enie van de Meiklokjes is an honorary sponsor. Small children tend to love a hippo with a bakery name, and the Zoo’s homepage invites visitors to come and see Brötchen.

Feeding and training sessions give the day a useful structure. When we checked the homepage, the next sessions listed were the hippos at 12:15 and the chimpanzees and bonobos at 13:30. These change, so look at the feeding schedule on the Zoo’s site on the day you go.

The Zoo also offers animal encounters that you can book in advance, guided tours and children’s birthday parties at the zoo. Separately, it is collecting donations for a new gorilla house for the gorilla Tilla and her family. Details and booking are on the Zoo’s own site.

Tierpark Berlin: space to roam in the east

The Tierpark feels more like a large park that happens to have animals in it. With 160 hectares to cover, it is better suited to a full day than a quick visit. Its current headline campaign is “Return of the Giants”, and it describes its elephant house as the most modern in Europe. The Tierpark is raising money to add more species there, including meerkats and aardvarks.

Many children love the talks and shows. On the day we checked, the homepage listed a giraffe talk at 12:30, a free-flight bird show at 13:30 and a penguin talk at 14:30. As at the Zoo, confirm the times on the day.

Adults interested in conservation will find plenty to read about. The Tierpark is working with WWF on what it calls the largest European bison relocation since the project began, and it has joined an international partnership to return the Vietnam pheasant to the wild. Animal encounters, tours and experiences can be booked through its site.

For grandparents visiting from abroad: in February 2026 the Tierpark offered free admission to visitors aged 65 and over. That offer has ended, so check the Tierpark’s site for any current senior offers rather than assuming it will run again.

The Aquarium after its reopening

The Zoo’s homepage announces the reopening of the Aquarium and says it “shines in new splendour” after its renovation. That makes the Aquarium a good option for a cold or wet Berlin day, when children have had enough of walking outdoors.

The official pages we used do not say whether the Aquarium needs a separate ticket or a combined one, and they give no Aquarium opening hours. Check the ticket options on the Zoo’s site before you buy, so you don’t pay for less, or more, than you need.

Planning a visit with children

Book online if you can. Zoo Berlin says online tickets save both time and money, and the Tierpark also sells tickets through its website. Neither homepage lists prices, opening hours or age-based discounts, so check each venue’s own site for current details before you go.

Plan the day around one or two fixed points. A feeding, a talk or a booked animal encounter gives children something to look forward to and breaks up the walking. At the Tierpark, distances matter because of its size, so a pushchair or a scooter for younger children is sensible. At the Zoo, head to the pandas or Brötchen early, before the crowds arrive.

Both homepages have a map, and it is worth saving it to your phone before you set off. If your child has a birthday coming up, the Zoo’s site explains how its children’s birthday parties work. If you would rather support the animals than visit, both venues accept donations for their new buildings.

For more practical guides to life in the city, visit Mylistingo.

FAQ

Is Zoo Berlin or Tierpark Berlin better for young children?

Both work well, but in different ways. Zoo Berlin has the giant pandas, the pygmy hippo Brötchen and a wide variety of species in one place, which suits short attention spans. Tierpark Berlin covers 160 hectares, so it is better for children who enjoy long walks, giraffes, penguins and the free-flight show.

How do I get to Tierpark Berlin?

The Tierpark says it is a short train ride from Alexanderplatz, in former East Berlin, around the historic Friedrichsfelde manor house. For exact directions and entrances, use the map and visitor information on the Tierpark’s own site.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

Zoo Berlin recommends online tickets and says they save time and money. Animal encounters at both venues are booked in advance through their websites. Prices and opening hours are not listed on the homepages, so check each official site before you visit.

Is the Aquarium open again?

Yes. Zoo Berlin’s homepage announces the Aquarium’s reopening after renovation. The pages we used do not say how Aquarium tickets work, so check the ticket options on the Zoo’s site before buying.

Official sources: zoo-berlin.de · tierpark-berlin.de

Last checked: 15 October 2026 against the pages linked above. Prices, opening hours and programmes change; the venue’s own site always has the current details.