Mini Cruise Break to the Royal Artis Zoo in Amsterdam 

Enjoy a day at Artis Zoo with the whole family.

Covering 14 hectares of open space right in the centre of Amsterdam, Artis Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Europe. Established in 1838, the stately 19th Century complex is home to around 700 different species of fish, birds, mammals and insects from areas as far-flung as tropical rainforests, coral reefs, the Swiss Alps and the African Savannah.

In addition to the zoo, aquarium and gardens, Artis is also home to Zoological and Geological museums and a Planetarium, which combine to give a fascinating overview of the natural world. Visitors can trace the history of the planet right back to the birth of the universe itself, and find out more about the ancient ancestors of the present-day species at Artis.

For those who’d like a more hands-on experience, the nostalgic farm setting of the Children’s Farm is a great way to get closer to some of the animals Artis houses. Visitors can stroke and pet rare species of ducks, sheep, goats and calves, many of which are allowed to wander free. Artis is also home to a rather more famous inhabitant - Harry Potter's snowy owl is a popular resident of the Owl Castle exhibit.

What to see at Amsterdam Zoo

Amsterdam Zoo is split into 5 unique and very different sections, each full of excitement and intrigue, offering education and fun for all its visitor number matter how young or how old.

The 5 sections are:

Aquarium
Located in the Great Hall you can become aquatinted to the wonders of the sea and the wildlife that live in the North Sea and the Zeeland estuary. With sharks, rays and other subtropical sea creatures too, the aquarium is the perfect way to start your adventure around Amsterdam Zoo.

Botanical Gardens
As you wander around Amsterdam Zoo you will see and large array of flowers, bulbs and tulips native to Holland. Other flowers found outside of Holland can be found in greenhouses around the zoo to help maintain the plants in their natural habitat.

Zoological Museum
The zoological museums highlight the relationship between man and nature and shows exhibits from nature conservationists Jac P. Thijsse and Eli Heimans. These exhibits include books and guides that they produced and the photographic equipment they used in their day.

Geological Museum
The general theme of the Geological Museum is the way in which life, atmosphere, water and Earth are all interrelated. Also home to precious stones and crystals you will receive a full and detailed explanation of how certain animals have adapted to suit their ever-changing surroundings.

Planetarium
This 'Cosmosphere' presents visitors with a series of highly informative displays about the stars, sun, moon, planets and the very universe itself. Located next to the main entrance the enormous copper dome can be seen wherever you are. With fun interactive quiz games you can learn everything there is to know about space travel in all its glory.

Your Trip at a Glance: