Diergaarde Blijdorp

Overview

Diergaarde Blijdorp (Rotterdam Zoo) is one of the oldest and finest zoos in the Netherlands, home to over 4,900 animals. Its acclaimed Oceanium aquarium is one of Europe's largest, with a walk-through shark tunnel.

Highlights

• Oceanium: A massive aquarium complex with sharks, rays, king penguins, and a coral reef tunnel.
• Mangrove Dome: A tropical greenhouse housing free-flying birds, butterflies, and reptiles.
• Asian Section: Sumatran tigers, Asian elephants, and red pandas in naturalistic habitats.

History

Founded in 1857 in the city centre, it moved to its current Blijdorp location in 1940 — ironically completed just before the bombing that destroyed much of the old site. The zoo has won multiple international awards for its breeding programs and enclosure design.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Start with the Oceanium before crowds build up — it's the most popular section.
• Tip 2: The zoo is walkable from Rotterdam Centraal Station (15 minutes).
• Duration: 2.5–3 hours.