🦁 9 Of The World’s Oldest Zoos You Can Still Visit

7/2/20261 min read

white concrete building
white concrete building

Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes – Paris, France (1793/1794) — Europe’s oldest civil zoo, born from the French Revolution. Compact, historic, and tucked inside the Jardin des Plantes.

a large building with a garden in front of it
a large building with a garden in front of it

Tiergarten Schönbrunn – Vienna, Austria (1752) — The world’s oldest continuously operating zoo, originally a Habsburg imperial menagerie. Famous for Baroque architecture and giant pandas.

two giraffes in front of building
two giraffes in front of building

Dublin Zoo – Dublin, Ireland (1831) — One of Europe’s most beloved zoos, set inside Phoenix Park and known for Victorian-era roots and modern habitats.

flock of flamingos on green grass field during daytime
flock of flamingos on green grass field during daytime

London Zoo – London, England (1828) — The birthplace of the word “zoo,” originally a scientific collection. Known for historic architecture and long-running conservation work.

Antwerp Zoo – Antwerp, Belgium (1843) — One of Europe’s oldest and most elegant zoos, featuring grand architecture and strong conservation programs.

a large building with a large glass ceiling
a large building with a large glass ceiling

ARTIS Royal Zoo – Amsterdam, Netherlands (1838) — A beautifully old-world zoo with ornate 19th‑century buildings and botanical gardens.