Leipzig Zoo

Leipzig Zoo is one of the most highly rated zoos in Europe and one of the best things to do in Leipzig, Saxony. Just a short walk from the main train station, it swaps old-fashioned cages for immersive themed worlds, including the giant tropical hall Gondwanaland, the great-ape complex Pongoland and the brand-new water world Feuerland. It is an easy, rewarding stop on any trip to eastern Germany.

Where it is and how to get there

The zoo sits on the northern edge of Leipzig's city center at Pfaffendorfer Straße 29. Leipzig is about 1 hour 15 minutes by ICE train from Berlin and a little over an hour from Dresden, so it also works as a day trip. From Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, walk about ten minutes following paw prints on the pavement, or take tram 12, which stops right outside the zoo. Local and regional trains are covered by the Deutschlandticket, and day tickets bought online even include tram and bus travel within Leipzig.

Drivers can use the zoo parking garage opposite the entrance (1,375 spaces, open 24/7), which costs €1 per hour, €8 for up to 12 hours and €12 for 24 hours. Leipzig has a low-emission zone.

A short history

Innkeeper Ernst Pinkert founded the zoo on June 9, 1878. In the 20th century it became famous for breeding lions; more than 2,300 were born here. In 2000 the city approved the "Zoo of the Future" master plan, which has gradually turned the 26-hectare site into a series of habitats. The zoo welcomed more than 1.9 million visitors in 2023, and the independent Sheridan ranking has placed it first in Germany and second in Europe for several years.

What you will see

• Gondwanaland, opened in 2011: a vast tropical hall with rainforest, suspension bridges, a treetop path and a boat ride on a jungle river
• Pongoland: chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and bonobos
• Africa, with the Kiwara savanna, giraffes, zebras and rhinos
• Asia, with the Ganesha Mandir elephant temple and the Himalaya area
• South America, now crowned by Feuerland, opened on September 1, 2026, where a tunnel more than 100 meters long lets you watch Humboldt penguins and seals swim overhead

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, according to the official website:

• Open daily, including holidays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October 31 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November 1 to December 31.
• Summer day tickets (March 21 to October 31): adults €27, children aged 6 to 16 €18, family €70.
• Winter day tickets (November 1 to March 20): adults €23, children €15, family €60.
• Evening tickets, valid from three hours before closing, are cheaper. Children under 6 enter free.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes. Plan at least half a day, ideally a full day. Gondwanaland is a warm escape on gray autumn and winter days. Paths are wide and largely accessible, with elevators in key areas, and wheelchairs can be borrowed. Dogs are not allowed. Arrive early and head straight to Gondwanaland before the boat ride gets busy, then explore the outdoor areas in the afternoon. Weekdays outside the Saxon school holidays are the calmest. Afterward, walk into the old town to see St. Thomas Church, where Johann Sebastian Bach worked, and St. Nicholas Church.