Zoo Basel: Hours, Address, Zoo Basel Reviews: 4.5/5
Zoo Basel
4.5
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
About
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Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
How to get there
- Basel SBB Station • 8 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
824 within 3 miles

Mum's Kitchen Vietnamese Food
148
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Vietnamese • Vegetarian Friendly

Osteria Little Italy
228
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European

Artigiano Café Pizzeria Napoletana
608
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Neapolitan

Fish & More
53
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Mediterranean • European

Hostaria
99
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Swiss • Mediterranean

Oliv
153
0.1 mi$$$$ • Mediterranean • European • Central European

Da Roberto Ristorante
436
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European

Sukhothai
153
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly

ART HOUSE Rooftop Bar & Kitchen
52
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • International • European • Central European

Ristorante Bella Italia
94
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Mediterranean • European
Attractions
221 within 6 miles

Hallenbad Rialto
9
499 ftBeach & Pool Clubs

Markthalle Basel
280
0.2 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Elsässertor
1
0.2 miArchitectural Buildings

Basel SBB Station
591
0.4 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

Spielzeug Welten Museum Basel
336
0.5 miSpeciality Museums

St. Paul's Church
22
0.3 miChurches & Cathedrals

Offene Kirche Elisabethen
169
0.5 miReligious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

Kunstmuseum Basel
1,215
0.7 miArt Museums

Basel's Old Town
1,049
0.7 miNeighborhoods

Town Hall
1,462
0.7 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,896 reviews
Excellent
1,005
Very good
663
Average
165
Poor
36
Terrible
27
bradybunch
Dunfermline, UK14 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
Best zoo I’ve been too with such a wide selection of animals and exhibits. The vivarium was a must see as was the primate building. Don’t miss the penguin parade either! The only thing I wouldn’t 100% recommend is the sea lion show, as an English speaker I missed most of the information and the area was extremely busy. Only other advice would be wrap up warm during the cold months as it’s mostly outdoors!
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AP1729
Chennai (Madras), India31 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.
Kathinated
Dunfermline, UK680 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
We had a lovely day out on a very hot weekday. Lots of animals looking healthy and happy including giraffes and elephants. Reasonable entrance price and easy to navigate around. Social distancing measures in place around the indoor attractions which worked well. Easy walk from Basel centre.
Written August 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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.
HanifeD
25 contributions
Oct 2021
Very impressive zoo. with Basel card we have 50% discount. It is quite difficult with the parking, so best with public transport. Zoo has 2 entrances, so very practical. We went there for my daughter's birthday, and she was so happy to see the Goriilas & Orang utan, her favorites. We even went there again teh next day.
Written October 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Todd David Aaro... G
1 contribution
Jul 2015 • Family
I watched our cashier yell at a baby and his dad for picking up a map instead of asking for it (they're free and piled up unattractively next to the pay window). When it was our turn to buy the expensive tickets she treated us with disrespect and condescension reminiscent of Soviet era Russia. Evelyn Müller isn't the only rude employee of this abysmal sham of a zoo, so be prepared to forget everything you know about service culture when you enter this overfunded not for profit hell hole stuck in 1960.
It was my third visit in 40 years and nothing has changed; Sad visitors, trash and dirt aplenty, and overpaid employees-for-life who hate you just for being there. Not at all recommended!
It was my third visit in 40 years and nothing has changed; Sad visitors, trash and dirt aplenty, and overpaid employees-for-life who hate you just for being there. Not at all recommended!
Written July 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MichaelPay
Basel, Switzerland4 contributions
Jul 2011 • Couples
We visited the Basel Zoo today and liked the variety of animals and the ease of walking between enclosures but were extremely disappointed in the quality of each animals living space. Most were far too small and totally uninteresting for the animal that was housed there. If you are going to keep a wild animal captive, especially large ones like rhinos and giraffes then they have to be housed in an enclosure that keeps the animal happy! Compare this to Orana Park in New Zealand or Australia Zoo and it is plainly obvious the difference in the animals behavior and temperament. Today pretty much every animal we saw was pacing in the same pattern in its undersized enclosure from sheer boredom. Hardly any of the enclosures represented a similar habitat to what would be expected for that animal in the wild, so its not surprising that clearly none wanted to be there. When you visit think about what you are actually looking at, is it an animal that is happy to be living in its current environment? Or is Basel Zoo just focused on getting people through the door to make money?
Written July 26, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mohan
Anytown, USA296 contributions
Apr 2013 • Business
If you happen to be in Basel and have some time during weekends, a trip to the Zoo would be great.
Located near downtown Basel, well connected by Bus, the zoo is easy to get to
Located near downtown Basel, well connected by Bus, the zoo is easy to get to
Written May 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Adventure Team
Kathmandu, Nepal136 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
I was visiting Switzerland and one day I was free for doing nothing. I went to the zoo on my own and it was really worthy.
Written August 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ROSANNA M
Inverness, UK220 contributions
Dec 2019
Having heard about Basel zoo’s world renowned reputation as a breeding and conservation leader I was keen to visit. I wasn’t disappointed. It’s well laid out over a large area and is cleverly designed to maximise the space but give the animals privacy. The enclosures themselves are very impressive and clearly designed with their inhabitants in mind. Great range of wildlife. I particularly enjoyed the gorillas and other primates, the giraffes and the lions. Half price admission with the Basel card and good tram and train links plus a car park if you’re driving. There’s a children’s petting zoo, cafe and restaurant plus a gift shop. Enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Written December 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
hananoutch
5 contributions
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
Tattu65
Geneva, Switzerland136 contributions
Hello,
Tu as le parking Elisabethen et le Steinen qui sont pas loin du zoo. Il me semble qu’il prenne la carte bancaire.
Bonjour est il possible de réchauffer plat bébé??
Jean-Pierre W
Avenches, Switzerland46 contributions
Oui, micro-disponibles au restaurant
Bonjour.peut on payer par carte bancaire visa au zoo ?
Knightmare34th
Chavornay, Switzerland258 contributions
Bonjour, je pense que oui, car nous avons payé par carte bancaire lors de notre visite. Il y a de multiples guichets. Bonne visite !
Puedes llevarte la comida de casa y comer dentro el zoo
silbl
Basel, Switzerland16 contributions
ja das ist möglich, es gibt viel Bänke, wo man sitzen kann.
Giovanni O
1 contribution
Il biglietto va prenotato prima o si può acquistare in loco?
chuckjanuary
Muralto, Switzerland242 contributions
Si può acquistare in loco... non so se ci siano differenze di prezzo tra l’acquisto online e allo sportello. Io non ho dovuto neanche fare cosa, secondo me conviene acquistarli direttamente all’ingresso
Frequently Asked Questions about Zoo Basel
- Zoo Basel is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Zoo Basel:
- (0.14 mi) Hotel Birsighof
- (0.18 mi) Ibis Basel Bahnhof Hotel
- (0.15 mi) Apartments Hasenberg
- (0.35 mi) Steinenschanze Stadthotel
- (0.36 mi) Art House Basel
- Restaurants near Zoo Basel:
- (0.10 mi) Acqua
- (0.12 mi) Sukhothai
- (0.12 mi) Oliv
- (0.09 mi) Parterre Rialto
- (0.11 mi) Baracca Zermatt