Zoo Basel
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:30 PM
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How to get there
- Basel SBB Station • 10 min walk
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272 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- JL N11 contributionsBeautiful wooded walk through the zooThe zoo is set in a wooded area that makes it one of the prettier zoos that I’ve seen. Just the walk through the winding trails was nice, even on a cold November day. There are lots and lots of different animals to look at. The highlight was the penguin’s outing through the zoo. This happens only in the cooler months and is a must-see for kids.Visited November 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten December 14, 2023
- TJeinsteinwoodDeal, United Kingdom1,028 contributionsAbsolutely brilliantWhat a fabulous zoo! Half price with a Basel Card so CHF 11 each per adult which is so worth the cost! The map is really good and the zoo is laid out really well so you walk around it all and see everything. The enclosures are so cleverly laid out so that it meets the needs of the animals and yet provides a great view for people. There is a huge and varied amount of animals to see. All the digital signs are in German French and English which is brilliant. The cafe is great and has really good coffee. We sat outside and watched the herons nesting. Such a fabulous zoo for children and families, but as adults we had a great time too!Visited February 2024Traveled with friendsWritten February 17, 2024
- Naomi Fidler158 contributionsDay on my own in BaselMy husband and I came to Basel 2nd July as he had a conference there. I had to entertain myself so decided to go to the zoo. I had a wonderful time visiting the different areas. Loved the elephants always fun to see. Enjoyed watching the children walk around the zoo with the ponies and llamas. They were amazing with them. It was easy finding the animals I wanted to see. However to find the exit I came in was difficult. Had to ask a few people but found my way out.Visited July 2024Traveled soloWritten July 9, 2024
- David BWest Jefferson, North Carolina4,954 contributionsGreat DayWe were in Basel killing some time after a river cruise and decided to come see the zoo. It's an older zoo but they have kept it up to date on animal habitat modernization. Definitely a good place to bring the children.Visited July 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten August 7, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
1,959 reviews
Excellent
1,038
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675
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174
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Bob
Zurich, Switzerland14 contributions
Jul 2020
Quite overpriced for what it is. We were utterly disappointed. They advertize the cats and elephants everywhere, yet we saw no big cats (ie no lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards), there were no elephants and no Rhinos. That in the mid season.
The animals they had you can see in any average zoo in europe for 6-10 euro.
Still i gave two stars (and not 1), because they had amazing big apes
The animals they had you can see in any average zoo in europe for 6-10 euro.
Still i gave two stars (and not 1), because they had amazing big apes
Written October 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FrauHolst
Lübeck 5 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
When you enter, you are immediately charged two conservation francs without asking. At the end of the visit, I complained about the incorrect calculation of the entrance fee due to the incorrect assessment of the age of my companion, but was dismissed with the words that we should have complained about it within the first hour in the zoo.
The facility and the enclosures are a disaster for the animals!! The penguins stand on a meadow of a few square meters, enclosed by a fence. Three huge hippos share a pool that they barely fit into. The monkeys are locked in concrete compartments that are not very reminiscent of a natural environment. The elephant house resembled a construction site and the only elephant seemed a bit lonely. I have rarely seen such an animal-unfriendly facility. One can only hope that the excessively charged entrance fee and the conservation franc are used to change these conditions!!!
The facility and the enclosures are a disaster for the animals!! The penguins stand on a meadow of a few square meters, enclosed by a fence. Three huge hippos share a pool that they barely fit into. The monkeys are locked in concrete compartments that are not very reminiscent of a natural environment. The elephant house resembled a construction site and the only elephant seemed a bit lonely. I have rarely seen such an animal-unfriendly facility. One can only hope that the excessively charged entrance fee and the conservation franc are used to change these conditions!!!
Written February 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly W
355 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Visited here recently with my sister. We used the BaselCard so had 50% off each the total price. The zoo is a good size and we were able to see every animal clearly and the animals were active aswell. We watched the seals feeding session which was informative. A lot of the information signs and information are in German. The aquarium is informative. It’s a great day out and would recommend.
Written August 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andeschmid
Basel, Switzerland5 contributions
Apr 2023 • Family
My youngest son and my niece wanted to organize a visit to the zoo for our rather large family. However, I advised them against it because on my last visit with my granddaughter the feeding of the sea lions went down a treat. It may be that the sea lions were being fed, but since there was a "wall" of adults along the fence who absolutely had to get their video footage, everyone sitting obediently on the viewing steps saw nothing at all.
As a child (we only lived about 5 minutes from the zoo in Binningen) I was always excited to watch the sea lions being fed. Since this "attraction" has now been lost due to the many egoists who have to make videos, the entrance fee is no longer justified. We'd rather go to a farm and get more out of it!
As a child (we only lived about 5 minutes from the zoo in Binningen) I was always excited to watch the sea lions being fed. Since this "attraction" has now been lost due to the many egoists who have to make videos, the entrance fee is no longer justified. We'd rather go to a farm and get more out of it!
Written March 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AP1729
Chennai (Madras), India42 contributions
Sep 2020
Spent an afternoon here. This is a great way to spend some time in Basel particularly with kids. Saw lots of animals which I had not seen before and I really liked the format and facilities available. It is quite a big zoo and just walking around will take some time. Highly recommend.
Written September 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
El F
Ostfildern, Germany196 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The Zolli Basel is a little disorganized and unfortunately quite loud at the moment - unfortunately construction machinery is loud and this somewhat spoils the experience. The lady at the ticket counter was quite unfriendly - perhaps because we only paid 11 Swiss francs for entry with the Basel Card.
The Zolli is very green and some of the enclosures are quite large, but we were glad that we didn't pay 22 Swiss francs per person - no elephants and many of the enclosures/aquariums/terrariums were empty.
It's not really worth traveling there especially.
The Zolli is very green and some of the enclosures are quite large, but we were glad that we didn't pay 22 Swiss francs per person - no elephants and many of the enclosures/aquariums/terrariums were empty.
It's not really worth traveling there especially.
Written August 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jacqueline67my
Basel, Switzerland227 contributions
Aug 2024 • Couples
Zoo is kept very natural and green. Some facilities, are renovated and very nice. The monkey house is very bright and invites you to linger. The aquarium is very interesting
The price per person Fr 22.-, is high, bearing in mind that a zoo needs a lot of money to care for and feed the animals.
Very nice and interesting layout, good information at all enclosures
Feeding at the stands very expensive
The price per person Fr 22.-, is high, bearing in mind that a zoo needs a lot of money to care for and feed the animals.
Very nice and interesting layout, good information at all enclosures
Feeding at the stands very expensive
Automatically translated
Written August 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
permia
Ireland64,749 contributions
Oct 2022
It wasn’t only the charming marsupial that was exciting to see as we strolled around the great expanse.
Over almost two hours a fine collection of animals and species was to be seen. Prime were the big cats, a snow leopard pacing back and forth and a cheetah perched on high giving full sight advantage.
Primates are plentiful and in particular it was marvellous seeing the majestic silver back gorilla. Numerous monkeys were playful and also stocking up on food.
Larger of the mammals were impressive, rhinoceros and hippopotamus being especially imposing.
Over almost two hours a fine collection of animals and species was to be seen. Prime were the big cats, a snow leopard pacing back and forth and a cheetah perched on high giving full sight advantage.
Primates are plentiful and in particular it was marvellous seeing the majestic silver back gorilla. Numerous monkeys were playful and also stocking up on food.
Larger of the mammals were impressive, rhinoceros and hippopotamus being especially imposing.
Written February 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
India13
Riehen, Switzerland287 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
The Zolli is a quite big Zoo with a great variety of animals. Most of the cages are new and the animals seem to be happy.
We had a lot of fun especially watching the chimpanzees trying to grab their food.
We had a lot of fun especially watching the chimpanzees trying to grab their food.
Written July 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Le Loup
Ostheim, France63 contributions
Aug 2023
Hello to everyone who will read this review, this review dates from my last visit to the zoo on August 8, 2023.
I am Alsatian near Colmar, 1h30 from the Swiss Basel Zoo and I went to the zoo every year before covid and it has always been a pleasure.
UNFORTUNATELY This year has been a cold shower on different subjects.
1) Enclosure and animal side: 1/3 of the enclosures are empty for more than one animal inside..........
2) Lots of work in the middle of the summer season (early August) which was a real mess (concrete/metal cutting) without forgetting the routes and viewpoints blocked by coating work.
3) No information at the entrance of this situation or even a financial reduction!!!!
4) schedule not respected for the animals' return to their enclosure (Lion / Zebra / Hippopotamus / Ostrich / ext......) Inside at 3:30 p.m. when the zoo closes at 6 p.m. therefore impossible to see the animals in their environment natural exterior 2.5 hours before official closing time! IS THIS NORMAL????
Anyway I don't recommend this zoo for a few years........
I am Alsatian near Colmar, 1h30 from the Swiss Basel Zoo and I went to the zoo every year before covid and it has always been a pleasure.
UNFORTUNATELY This year has been a cold shower on different subjects.
1) Enclosure and animal side: 1/3 of the enclosures are empty for more than one animal inside..........
2) Lots of work in the middle of the summer season (early August) which was a real mess (concrete/metal cutting) without forgetting the routes and viewpoints blocked by coating work.
3) No information at the entrance of this situation or even a financial reduction!!!!
4) schedule not respected for the animals' return to their enclosure (Lion / Zebra / Hippopotamus / Ostrich / ext......) Inside at 3:30 p.m. when the zoo closes at 6 p.m. therefore impossible to see the animals in their environment natural exterior 2.5 hours before official closing time! IS THIS NORMAL????
Anyway I don't recommend this zoo for a few years........
Written August 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bonjour, ( réponse du zoo ) Les chiens ne sont pas admis dans l’enceinte du Zoo. Ne laissez pas votre chien dans votre voiture. La température peut très vite monter à l’intérieur de l’habitacle et peut être fatale pour votre chien.
Written August 3, 2022
Bonjour pouvez vous me dire où puis je garer ma voiture pour aller au zoo? Pour les parkings payant peux on payer en euros ou carte bancaire au parcmètre ? Merciii
Written July 2, 2020
Hello,
Tu as le parking Elisabethen et le Steinen qui sont pas loin du zoo. Il me semble qu’il prenne la carte bancaire.
Written July 2, 2020
Oui, micro-disponibles au restaurant
Written July 20, 2019
Bonjour, je pense que oui, car nous avons payé par carte bancaire lors de notre visite. Il y a de multiples guichets. Bonne visite !
Written April 18, 2019
ja das ist möglich, es gibt viel Bänke, wo man sitzen kann.
Written March 19, 2019
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