Tierpark Berlin

Tierpark Berlin in the eastern district of Lichtenberg is Europe's largest landscape zoo, spread across 160 hectares of meadows, woodland and ponds around a baroque palace. Founded in 1955 as East Berlin's answer to the older zoo in the West, it is one of the most relaxed things to do in Berlin: fewer crowds, more space, snow leopards in a Himalayan landscape and giraffes on an open savanna, all a short subway ride from Alexanderplatz.

A zoo born of a divided city

After World War II, Berlin's historic Zoologischer Garten ended up in the British sector, leaving the Soviet-controlled east without a zoo. The East Berlin authorities chose the overgrown grounds of Schloss Friedrichsfelde, a palace built in 1695 whose park had been redesigned by the famous landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenné in 1821. The Tierpark opened on July 2, 1955, with roughly 400 animals; volunteers helped build it and citizens donated money for the first animals.

Under its long-time director Heinrich Dathe the park expanded from 60 to 160 hectares. After reunification in 1990 there was brief debate about whether Berlin needed two zoos. Today both are run by the same company under one director, and the Tierpark is being reshaped into a "geo-zoo," with animals grouped by continent.

What to see

The collection numbers around 8,500 animals of more than 600 species (end of 2024). Highlights include:

• Himalaya (opened 2022): a rugged mountain landscape with snow leopards, Pallas's cats, takins and red pandas.
• Savanna and Giraffe Trail (2023): giraffes and other African species sharing a large open habitat.
• Alfred-Brehm-Haus: a 1963 animal house with a tropical hall up to 16 meters high, plus outdoor enclosures for Sumatran tigers and sun bears.
• Pelicans and flamingos, long-standing symbols of the park.
• Schloss Friedrichsfelde: the palace can be visited Friday to Sunday as part of your zoo ticket.

The elephant house has been under reconstruction since 2020, with completion planned for 2027, so expect some construction zones.

Tickets and opening hours

The Tierpark is open every day of the year (as of October 2026). Until October 25 it is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; from October 26 through December it closes at 4:30 p.m. (2 p.m. on December 24). Last entry is one hour before closing. Animal houses and restaurants close 30 minutes before the park.

A day ticket at the gate costs €22.50 for adults (16+) and €11 for children aged 4 to 15; under-4s are free. Booking online is cheaper, with prices starting at €14.50 for adults and €7 for children depending on the day. There is no family day ticket, and combined tickets with the Berlin Zoo and Aquarium are only sold as annual passes. Payment is in euros (EUR).

How to get to Tierpark Berlin

The park sits about 8 km east of Alexanderplatz. Take subway line U5 to the station "Tierpark," which drops you right at the Bärenschaufenster entrance; trams M17, 27 and 37 also stop nearby. The second entrance at the palace is served by the same trams and bus 194. Public transport is covered by Berlin's ABC or AB tickets and by the Deutschlandticket. From BER airport, plan on roughly an hour by train and subway.

If you drive, parking at both entrances costs €8.50 per day (cards only).

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you enjoy walking and want a calmer, greener zoo experience than the busy Zoologischer Garten in the city center. Allow at least four hours and wear comfortable shoes. Most paths and both entrances are step-free, though the Himalaya area has gradients of up to 10 percent and the palace is reachable only by stairs. Wheelchairs can be borrowed for free (reserve by email). Dogs are welcome on a short leash at no charge.

Nearby

• Friedrichsfelde Central Cemetery with its memorial to socialist leaders, just north of the park.
• Museum Berlin-Karlshorst, where Germany's unconditional surrender was signed in 1945.
• Stasi Museum at Normannenstraße, on the same U5 line.
• Gardens of the World in Marzahn for another green afternoon.