Diergaarde Blijdorp Zoo
Major Rotterdam zoo with conservation and diverse species
Rotterdam's main zoo, Blijdorp combines traditional animal enclosures with the Oceanium, a large aquarium building. Families and wildlife enthusiasts come for European and global species displays and conservation exhibits.
Diergaarde Blijdorp at a Glance#
Address: Blijdorplaan 8, 3041 JX Rotterdam, Netherlands
Website: https://www.diergaardeblijdorp.nl/
Hours: Daily 9:00am-6:00pm (seasonal variations possible)
Admission: €25-€28 (adult, day ticket); children and concessions available; check zoo website for current rates
About Diergaarde Blijdorp#
Diergaarde Blijdorp, commonly called Rotterdam Zoo, is a major zoological park in Rotterdam, Netherlands, established in the 19th century and relocated to the Blijdorp district in the 20th century. It is one of the country’s principal zoos and is organised into biogeographical and thematic exhibits.
The zoo’s attractions include large indoor and outdoor enclosures, a substantial marine Oceanium and an indoor tropical hall, both of which concentrate aquatic and rainforest species. The park participates in European breeding and conservation programmes and presents collection-based exhibits across animals from multiple continents.
Diergaarde Blijdorp sits northwest of Rotterdam’s city centre in the Blijdorp neighbourhood, with good public transport connections from central Rotterdam and nearby tram and bus stops.
- Scale and role: The zoo is one of the Netherlands’ major zoological parks and operates as Diergaarde Blijdorp or Rotterdam Zoo, with themed halls and conservation programmes.
- Visitor tips: Expect varied terrain and long walking routes; the Oceanium and Amazonica are indoor options in bad weather and are among the most popular exhibits.
What to See#
- Oceanium: Oceanium - a large oceanarium complex housing marine habitats and large saltwater tanks, providing a central aquatic focus of the zoo (opened 2001).
- Amazonica: Amazonica - a covered tropical hall recreating Amazonian rainforest habitat with plants, birds, reptiles and fish (opened 2009).
How to Get to Diergaarde Blijdorp#
From Rotterdam Centraal station, take tram 25 (direction Schiebroek) to Diergaarde Blijdorp stop - about 10 minutes. Street parking near the zoo is limited; public transport is recommended. The zoo is also accessible by several bus lines from central Rotterdam.
Tips for Visiting Diergaarde Blijdorp#
- Buy tickets online to avoid queues on busy weekends and public holidays.
- Head to the Oceanium and Asian rainforest early; those indoor complexes fill first on rainy days.
- Use the revolving tunnel shark-view early in the day for clearer water and better photos.
- Check the zoo's feeding/talk schedule - keeper talks are worth timing a visit around.
Best Time to Visit Diergaarde Blijdorp#
Best in spring and early summer for young animals and pleasant weather; check indoor exhibit schedules in winter.
Weather & Climate near Diergaarde Blijdorp#
Diergaarde Blijdorp's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (874 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 72 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 53 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 3° | 70 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 5.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 4° - 13° | 6° | 49 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Very Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 55 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 11° - 20° | 15° | 73 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.1 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 79 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 15.9h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.7 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 93 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 96 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 84 mm | overcast | 91% | 5.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
