Things to do in Zurich

Zurich Zoo: Masoala Rainforest, elephants and big cats

Zurich Zoo lies on the lower slopes of the Zürichberg in the Fluntern quarter and is open every day of the year. According to Wikipedia, it opened in 1929 and is the third-oldest zoo in Switzerland, after Basel and Arth-Goldau.

Address
Zürichbergstrasse 221, 8044 Zürich
From Zürich HB
Tram 6 to the terminus "Zoo"
Open
Every day of the year
Opening hours
See official website
Inside the Masoala Rainforest hall at Zurich Zoo with dense green plants under the glass roof
Inside the Masoala Rainforest hall. Photo: “Zoo zürich hdr masoala halle (13095739733).jpg” by Wendelin Jacober from Luzern, Schweiz, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.

Highlights

  • Masoala Rainforest (opened 2003): an 11,000 m² miniature rainforest ecosystem with about 40 vertebrate species and about 500 plant species, including red ruffed lemurs and the Aldabra giant tortoise. A treetop walkway with an 18-metre-high tower was added in 2013. The zoo links the hall to its long-standing conservation project in Madagascar.
  • Kaeng Krachan Elephant Park (opened 2014): an 11,000 m² habitat where Asian elephants live in family groups; an underwater viewing area lets you watch them swimming. The roof of the elephant house is spanned by 271 skylights of UV-permeable foil.
  • Lewa Savanna (opened 2020): at 5.6 hectares the zoo’s largest habitat, with giraffes, rhinos and other endangered animals among striking baobab trees.
  • Panthera (opened 2025): Asiatic lions, Amur tigers and snow leopards rotate between four connected areas; a 17-metre elevated "catwalk" links the enclosures above visitors’ heads. In its insect forest there are no glass barriers between you and the insects.
  • Other areas include the Australia exhibit with koalas, an aquarium and a great ape house.

Tips for your visit

  • The Masoala Rainforest has its own, shorter opening hours – check the opening-hours page.
  • Take your time in the Masoala hall: the animals are not always visible at first glance.
  • In the summer months the "Masoala Express" train runs from the main entrance via the Elephant Park and the rainforest to the Lewa Savanna.
  • SBB RailAway combo tickets combine discounted fares with zoo admission.
  • Use public transport: paid parking near the zoo is limited, and when it is full, visitors are sent to off-site parking.
  • The zoologist Heini Hediger directed the zoo from 1954 to 1973.

Getting there from Zürich HB

  • From Bahnhofplatz: tram 6 to the terminus "Zoo".
  • From Bellevue or Stadelhofen: tram 8 to "Kirche Fluntern", then tram 6 to the zoo; on Sundays tram 8 runs all the way to the zoo.
  • From Stettbach station: bus 751 to "Zoo/Forrenweid". There is also a PubliBike station at the zoo.