Hanover Zoo

Hanover Zoo (Erlebnis-Zoo Hannover) is one of Germany's most popular zoos and a top day out in Lower Saxony. Instead of rows of cages, it is built around immersive themed worlds: you glide by boat through an African river landscape, watch polar bears swim from the hold of a stranded ship in a Canadian harbor town, and wander through an Indian jungle palace. Around 1,470 animals of 158 species live on about 54 acres (22 ha) near the city center, making it an easy and rewarding trip for families.

A zoo reinvented

Founded by local citizens on May 4, 1865, Hanover Zoo is the eighth-oldest zoo in Germany. It survived financial crises, a temporary closure in 1922 and heavy damage in World War II. In the mid-1990s the city gave it a fresh start, replacing traditional enclosures with detailed natural landscapes where barriers are hidden and visitors often see animals without bars. The zoo has carried the name "Erlebnis-Zoo" (Adventure Zoo) since 1996.

Themed worlds to explore

• Zambezi: An African river landscape with hippos, rhinos, antelopes and flamingos. The boat ride brings you close to the animals but does not run in winter.
• Jungle Palace: An Indian temple setting for Asian elephants, which recently moved into a new outdoor area with a large bathing pool.
• Afi Mountain and Gorilla Mountain: Drills, chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas in a recreated West African mountain forest.
• Yukon Bay: A Canadian harbor town with polar bears, seals, penguins and wolves, plus an underwater viewing area inside a shipwreck.
• Meyer's Farm and Outback: A traditional Lower Saxony farm and an Australian landscape with a walk-through kangaroo area.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, the zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. until October 25. From October 27, 2026, to March 19, 2027, it opens Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed on Mondays. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing, and the zoo is closed on November 15, 2026.

Prices vary by date. The cheapest option is a date-specific online ticket from €17.60 for adults; flexible tickets cost €30.20 in summer and €22.20 in winter. An evening ticket after 4:30 p.m. starts at €12.30. Buying online saves money and time.

How to get there

Hanover's main station is a major ICE hub, about 1 hour 20 minutes from Hamburg and under 2 hours from Berlin. From there, take light rail line 11 (for example from Kröpcke) to its last stop, Zoo, or buses 128, 134 or 900 from the station forecourt; the trip takes 10 to 15 minutes. If you drive, the zoo parking lot costs €8 per day and has a 6.5-foot (2 m) height limit.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially with children. Plan at least four hours, ideally a full day. The zoo app lists daily feeding times and animal talks. Wheelchairs can be reserved free of charge, and companions of visitors with qualifying disability ID enter free. Winter visits are quieter, though the boat ride is closed.

Nearby

• Eilenriede: Hanover's vast city forest starts right next to the zoo.
• Maschsee: A lake with a lakeside promenade south of the center.
• Herrenhausen Gardens: Spectacular Baroque gardens in the northwest of the city.