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Diergaarde Blijdorp (Rotterdam Zoo)
Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
Diergaarde Blijdorp is a zoo and botanical garden in Rotterdam that has been operating since 1857, making it one of the oldest in the Netherlands. What…
What it's like here
Diergaarde Blijdorp is a zoo and botanical garden in Rotterdam that has been operating since 1857, making it one of the oldest in the Netherlands. What sets it apart is the scale and layout: you walk through continental zones—Asia, Africa, North America—that feel like a landscaped park rather than a sequence of cages. The grounds themselves are notable too, with 21 listed monument buildings scattered through the site, an unusual feature for a zoo.
The main draw for many visitors is the Oceanium, the largest indoor aquarium in the country, where sharks and sea turtles move overhead and a polar bear underwater viewing window is popular with children. The Amazonica butterfly house is genuinely warm and tropical year-round, and the African savanna area holds giraffes and zebras. Indoor and outdoor play spaces mean families with young children have options whatever the weather.
A full day is the standard visit length—the site is large enough that most people spend the better part of one here. The aquarium and butterfly house are indoors, which matters in Dutch weather, though most of the zoo is outside. Under-3s enter free, and buying tickets online beforehand skips the gate queue.
Location-wise, it's convenient: about a 12-minute walk from Rotterdam Centraal station, or reachable by metro (Blijdorp stop) or bus 33/40 to Blijdorpplein. On-site parking is available, though it costs €12.50 per day and card payment only. The zoo opens every single day—winter hours are 09:00–17:00, summer 09:00–18:00, with slightly shorter hours on a few dates around December and New Year.
It works well for families, couples, or friends, and the mix of outdoor walking and indoor exhibits (aquarium, butterfly house, play areas) makes it reasonably weatherproof. The monument buildings and landscaping give it a different character from many modern zoos, and the visitor numbers—around 1.5 million a year—suggest it's well-established in local routines without feeling overwhelming in day-to-day experience.
Highlights
- Oceanium, the largest indoor aquarium in the Netherlands with sharks and sea turtles
- Amazonica butterfly house, tropical and warm year-round
- Polar bear underwater viewing window
- African savanna with giraffes and zebras
- 21 historic monument buildings on the grounds
- Indoor and outdoor play areas for children
Good to know
Open daily; winter hours 09:00–17:00, summer 09:00–18:00. Shorter hours (closing at 16:00) on 5 December, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve; closes at 17:00 on New Year's Day. On-site parking costs €12.50 per day (card only). A 12-minute walk from Rotterdam Centraal, or take the metro to Blijdorp or bus 33/40 to Blijdorpplein. Book tickets online in advance to avoid queues. Children under 3 enter free.
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Questions people ask
How long should I plan to spend here?
Most visitors spend the better part of a full day. The site is large and there is plenty to see.
Is it worth visiting in bad weather?
Reasonably so. The Oceanium aquarium and Amazonica butterfly house are both indoors, though the majority of the zoo is outdoors.
Can I walk from Rotterdam Centraal station?
Yes, it's about a 12-minute walk from the station.
Attributes & facilities
Facilities
Experience
Accessibility
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Last verified: September 13, 2026