Hellabrunn Zoo

Hellabrunn Zoo (Tierpark Hellabrunn) is Munich’s municipal zoo, located in the Thalkirchen area along the Isar River. It opened in 1911 and was developed as one of the first zoos to organise its animals by geographic origin rather than strictly by taxonomic groups.

The zoo covers roughly 40 hectares and presents animals in large outdoor enclosures and habitat-style exhibits, with indoor houses for reptiles, small mammals and aquatic species. Exhibits are arranged around geo-zones representing continents and regions, and the grounds include walking paths, educational centres and seasonal programs for visitors.

The park combines species conservation, public education and research; it maintains a substantial collection of mammals, birds and other vertebrates and participates in European breeding and conservation programs. Located within Munich, it is accessible by public transport and draws both local and international visitors year-round.

• Founding and size: Opened in 1911 and covering roughly 40 hectares, it was one of the early adopters of the geo-zoo concept and lies along the Isar River in Munich's Thalkirchen district.
• Collections: Houses several hundred species and thousands of individual animals across outdoor enclosures and specialized houses for smaller or aquatic species.

What to See #

• Geo-zone layout: The zoo is organised as a geo-zoo, grouping animals by geographic region rather than taxonomic class to reflect natural associations and habitats.