Artis

Artis (formally Natura Artis Magistra) is Amsterdams historic city zoo and natural history complex located in the Plantage district. The institution combines animal enclosures with a small planetarium, aquarium and landscaped botanical and historic grounds.

Exhibits and facilities include traditional animal displays, an aquarium, a planetarium offering scheduled shows and gardens with mature trees and botanical plantings. The layout is compact and integrated into the urban fabric, with 19th-century architecture and pedestrian pathways.

Artis was established in the 19th century as both a zoo and a scientific educational institution and has developed exhibitions and public programmes focused on conservation and natural history.

The zoo sits close to Amsterdams city centre in the Plantage neighbourhood, within easy walking distance of the canal belt and other central museums and cultural sites.

• Founding: Founded in 1838, the site combines a traditional city zoo with scientific and educational facilities in Amsterdams Plantage district.

What to See #

• Planetarium: A small planetarium offering scheduled shows on astronomy and the night sky, located within the zoo grounds.
• Aquarium: A public aquarium housing freshwater and marine exhibits and smaller aquatic displays near the zoos older pavilions.
• Botanical and historic grounds: Historic 19th-century zoo grounds and landscaped paths that include mature trees and a modest botanical collection.