The Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden (Fővárosi Állat- és Növénykert) is home to nearly 900 animal species and is one of the oldest zoos in Europe. It offers a fantastic location for a romantic date or a full-day family adventure. With over 1 million visitors last year, it is undoubtedly one of Hungary’s major attractions.
The Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden is open every day of the week with the following opening hours okt to april Monday to Sunday: 09:00 – 16:00, at may to september Monday to Sunday: 09:00 – 18:00.
With your booking, you’ll receive over 90 program vouchers as a gift in budapest!
10-50% OFF
Did you know…?
✓ The first giraffe at the zoo was a gift from Queen Elisabeth. Her husband, Franz Joseph, followed suit by sending over 30 exotic animals to Budapest.
✓ Ferenc Deák once tried to feed his pet bear, Kristóf, with an umbrella! Instead of the food, the bear took the umbrella, stealing it from the politician.
✓ One of the zoo’s elephants spent a summer at Lake Hévíz for a spa treatment due to leg problems. Visitors could even swim with the elephant in 1914!
Key Zones and Attractions
Australian Zone Experience the diverse wildlife of Australia, including colorful parrots and hopping kangaroos. The Australian Path features the majestic cassowary, flying foxes, red-necked Bennett kangaroos, and the unique sound of laughing kookaburras.
Big Skinned Giants In the Elephant House, you’ll find Samu, a baby elephant born in 2021, who has since grown significantly but still delights visitors with his playful curiosity. The area also features Nile hippopotamuses and rhinoceroses. A world sensation occurred in 2008 when Lisimba, the first rhino born through artificial insemination, was born.
Primates Up Close The Great Ape House, built in 1987, offers a close-up look at orangutans and gorillas. While the enclosures may appear empty at first due to environmental enrichment, be patient, and you’ll likely spot the apes relaxing.
Savanna Zone This half-hectare exhibit brings African grassland to life with giraffes, antelopes, gnus, zebras, and playful meerkats. The rare mhorr gazelles, once native to Africa, are among the most unique animals here.
World of Waters The Great Lake is one of the zoo’s oldest exhibits, where cormorants, grey herons, fish species, and turtles can be seen. From here, a short walk leads to the territories of seals, polar bears, and penguins.
India Zone Recognizable by the Ashoka pillar at the entrance, this area showcases Persian lions, leopards, Siberian tigers, and Asian wild dogs. There are also red pandas, goat-antelopes, and mismi takins.
America Tropicana This section features wildlife from Central and South America, including giant otters, squirrel monkeys, scarlet ibises, and various species of crocodiles. The Palm House displays tropical plants and is home to mammals, reptiles, and birds, while the Aquarium features over 60,000 liters of water filled with fish.
Magic Mountain Opened in 2012, this exhibition offers a fascinating look into the Earth’s biodiversity, its history, and the impact of humans on the planet. Highlights include 200-million-year-old horseshoe crabs, amber-encased insects, and prehistoric tools, with interactive exhibits like a time machine and a dinosaur terrace.
Smaller Units The Madagascar Zone houses a ring-tailed lemur troop and vibrant parrots, while the Xantus János House displays Southeast Asian species. Don’t miss the Butterfly House with over 500 species of butterflies, or the Venomous House, where you can observe exotic reptiles like varanuses and pythons.
Ongoing Programs
The zoo also offers a variety of programs such as feeding demonstrations, seal and elephant training sessions, as well as interactive experiences for children, including animal petting areas and playgrounds. Annual events include Animal Carnival, Earth Festival, Musical Zoo Nights, and Zoo Night.
Parking
Several parking options are available for visitors, including the Zoo Parking Zone and nearby street parking. The Zoo Parking Zone is located at the Hermina Street end of the zoo and is available 24/7.
Parking Rates:
- Weekdays (06:00-22:00): 350 HUF/hour
- Weekdays (22:00-06:00): 250 HUF/hour
- Weekdays (Full Day): 3500 HUF/day
- Weekends (06:00-22:00): 450 HUF/hour
- Weekends (22:00-06:00): 350 HUF/hour
- Weekends (Full Day): 4500 HUF/day
Looking for accommodation in Budapest?
Find the perfect accommodation for you with us! Choose from over 17,000 Hungarian hotels, apartments, guesthouses, thermal hotels or hostels, using detailed search options.
By booking through us, you can use nearly 600 discount coupons for tickets, restaurants, and thermal baths with up to 50% off, in Hungary
Instant confirmation, secure payment, and free cancellation with flexible terms included
You can find descriptions in English, German, Czech, Slovak, Croatian, and Romanian, as well as read reviews. Switch to your own native language
