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Switzerland
Canton of Basel
Basel
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Zoo Basel
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Zoo Basel

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See all things to do
Zoo Basel
4.5
1,921 reviews
#11 of 164 things to do in Basel
Zoos
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8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
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Top ways to experience Zoo Basel and nearby attractions

The area
Address
How to get there
  • Basel SBB Station • 8 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
821 within 3 miles
Restaurant Indian Summer
124
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Indian • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
Mum's Kitchen Vietnamese Food
157
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Vietnamese • Vegetarian Friendly
Oliv
163
0.1 mi$$$$ • Mediterranean • European • Central European
Osteria Little Italy
233
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
Hostaria
134
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Swiss • Mediterranean
Artigiano Café Pizzeria Napoletana
623
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Neapolitan
Fish & More
54
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European
Da Roberto Ristorante
446
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
Sukhothai
153
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
Ristorante Bella Italia
96
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
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Attractions
255 within 6 miles
Hallenbad Rialto
9
499 ftBeach & Pool Clubs
Markthalle Basel
298
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Elsässertor
1
0.2 miArchitectural Buildings
Basel SBB Station
603
0.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel
340
0.5 miSpeciality Museums
Tinguely Fountain
886
0.5 miFountains
St. Paul's Church
22
0.3 miChurches & Cathedrals
Offene Kirche Elisabethen
172
0.5 miReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals
Kunstmuseum Basel
1,243
0.7 miArt Museums
Basel's Old Town
1,074
0.7 miNeighborhoods
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,921 reviews
Excellent
1,018
Very good
669
Average
169
Poor
36
Terrible
29
permia
Ireland38,313 contributions
First sighting of kangaroos
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.
Written February 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karen Waters
Hampshire42 contributions
Fantastic zoo! Great day out.
Dec 2022 • Family
We all absolutely loved this zoo. It was well laid out, had loads of animals, with babies too. The enclosures were clean and thoughtfully planned. Couldn’t fault it, throughly enjoyable day out. Would totally recommend a visit.
Written January 13, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tru2013
Erpingham, UK379 contributions
City centre Zoo
Dec 2022 • Couples
Small well thought out Zoo just a few minutes walk from city centre. Although compact the animals seemed to have decent sized enclosures with natural settings. Orangutans and Two baby Rhinoceros.
Written December 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Laura T
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK22 contributions
Great day out
Dec 2022 • Couples
Great zoo the animals look well cared for and happy. A few babies when we visited, notably rhino, giraffe, okapi, penguin. Seeing the penguin walk was good fun. The vivarium is massive with so many tanks and a wealth of information. The monkeys, chimps, gorillas and orangutans were in their indoor enclosures and we spent ages watching them. There was a young chimp using a stick to get food out of a box, which was brilliant to watch.
Food and drink was reasonably priced and you get into the zoo for half price with Basel card which you get for free if spending a night in a hotel/B and B etc.
Would definitely recommend a visit to this zoo.
Written December 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
524fred
Bloomington, IN8 contributions
Amazing zoo with great access
Nov 2022
Located in easy walking distance to the center of Basel, this zoo provides the closest access to a huge variety of animals that I have ever seen, plus a great restaurant and gift shop. Wish we didn't need zoos, but if we have to have them, this is what a zoo should be.
Written December 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
flona98
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates337 contributions
Don't Waste Your Time
Oct 2022
It not one of the great zoos, I saw many better ones than this, the place is not kept clean, no much animals to see, I got disappointed.
Written November 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gary S
20 contributions
FINE ZOO!
Aug 2022
We spent much of an afternoon walking in the zoo. Easy to get to (we are tourists and took a tram from our hotel). Food was mediocre but the exhibits for animals were quite good
Written September 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jenny from Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA741 contributions
Great zoo, with lots of baby animals!
Aug 2022
I love visiting Zoos and I felt like this was a really solid city Zoo. The entry fee was reasonable (especially if you're staying at a hotel in Basel and have a "Basel Card" for a discount). And it was really easy to walk there from the train station.
From a scientific perspective, Zoo Basel has a great reputation for raising baby animals. And they were on full display when I was there--baby squirrel monkeys, turtles, hippos, apes, and more. It was really charming (and great for supporting healthy gene pools for these animals).
From a visitor perspective, I felt like it was a great Zoo. It wasn't overwhelmingly large. The exhibitions often had several spots to look at the animals, so you could see them wherever they were. In some of the indoor exhibitions, there were great digital labels that had multiple language options, including English. And the bathrooms were clean and there were great options in the souvenir store.
I'd highly recommend a visit.
Written August 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
dil345
Georgetown, TX997 contributions
Old, tired zoo
Jun 2022 • Couples
We visited the zoo because of its high ranking and looking for something to do in Basel. It was quite busy on a weekend but we got there when it was opening. Not a place I would recommend, except maybe young children would enjoy it.
Written July 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
felix meyer
Basel, Switzerland3 contributions
best ZOO
Mar 2022
The Zoo o Basel is very nice.
You have to see the best Zoo of the world.
You need a few hours to see this Zoo
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Zoo Basel - 2023 All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Zoo Basel
Zoo Basel is open:
  • Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Zoo Basel tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Zoo Basel tours on Tripadvisor
Restaurants near Zoo Basel: View all restaurants near Zoo Basel on Tripadvisor