🌳 A Green Heart in the City
Step through the gates of ARTIS and you enter a world where the city softens into shade and song. The leafy avenues of the Plantagebuurt cradle this historic zoo, founded in 18th century, making it the oldest in the Netherlands. Here, heritage and wilderness intertwine: monumental buildings rise among gardens, and centuries-old trees whisper stories of Amsterdam’s past.
The Heimans Oak, dating back to 1750, stands as a living witness to time, its branches stretching across generations. ARTIS is not simply a zoo—it is a sanctuary where nature, culture, and science converge. With over 900 animal species and 250 varieties of trees, it is a place where every step reveals a new layer of life.
🦓 The Savannah: Africa by the Canal
On the northern flank of the park, the Savannah exhibit unfolds like a living painting. Giraffes stretch their necks against the skyline, zebras graze in harmony, and kudus wander with quiet grace. The Entrepotdok canal glimmers in the background, a reminder that this African plain exists in the heart of Amsterdam.
It is here that ARTIS achieves something rare: the blending of naturalistic habitats with the city’s rhythm. Visitors linger, captivated by the sight of animals moving freely in spacious enclosures, their lives unfolding against a backdrop of water and sky.
🦋 The Butterfly Pavilion: A Living Kaleidoscope
Step inside the Butterfly Pavilion and you are surrounded by thousands of wings. Blue Morphos shimmer like fragments of sky, while delicate species flutter in a tropical haze. The air vibes with color and movement, a reminder of nature’s fragile beauty. Children chase butterflies with wide eyes, adults pause to marvel, and everyone leaves with a sense of enchantment.
🐒 Lemur Land: Playful Spirits of Madagascar
At the renovated Kerbertterras, lemurs leap and lounge in the sun. Ring-tailed lemurs, ruffed lemurs, and Madagascar tortoises share this habitat, their interactions a lively dance of coexistence. Keeper talks at noon bring the island alive with stories of these creatures’ unique behaviors.
Visitors learn not only to watch but to understand, to see the threads that connect species across continents.
🌌 The Planetarium: Journey to the Stars
Beyond the enclosures lies the cosmos. The Planetarium at ARTIS transports visitors faster than the speed of light, past moons, planets, and galaxies. Shows in Dutch and English invite families to marvel at the universe, reminding us that the story of ARTIS is not only about earth but also about the stars above. On weekends, the space adventure begins at 1 pm, offering a cosmic pause amid earthly wonders.
🐠 The Aquarium: Secrets Beneath the Surface
Housed in a historic building from 18th century, the Aquarium reveals the hidden life of water. Displays range from Amazonian mangroves to tropical coral reefs, and even a slice of Amsterdam’s canal. Though under renovation until 2026, its legacy endures—a monument to exploration and education.
The façade itself is a reminder of Amsterdam’s golden age, when curiosity drove discovery.
🌿 Botanical Gardens and Historic Monuments
ARTIS is as much a botanical garden as it is a zoo. Stroll among centuries-old trees, admire the diversity of plants, and pause at monuments that tell the story of Amsterdam’s past. The grounds contain 26 national monuments, each a piece of history woven into the landscape. The blend of flora and architecture creates a living museum, where heritage and nature coexist in harmony.
🎭 Seasonal Events: ARTIS Alive
Throughout the year, ARTIS transforms with seasonal highlights.
Zoo Nights: Late openings with live music and illuminated pathways.
Winter ARTIS: A cozy wonderland of festive lights and warm drinks.
Earthlings Festival: Workshops and encounters that inspire action for a livable planet.
These events invite repeat visits, each season offering a new perspective on the zoo.
🧒 Family-Friendly Adventures
ARTIS is a haven for families. Children delight in the petting zoo, dinosaur sculptures, and playgrounds designed with natural materials. Trolley bays make exploring easy for tired legs, while insect habitats inspire young minds to care for nature.
Interactive exhibits like Micropia—the world’s first microbe museum—turn invisible life into fascination. Kids peer through microscopes, create cuddly microbe toys, and discover how microbes shape ecosystems and health.
🧬 Micropia and Groote Museum: Invisible Connections
Beyond animals and plants, ARTIS invites visitors to explore the unseen.
Micropia: A museum dedicated to microbes, where invisible life becomes visible through interactive displays.
Groote Museum: A place to explore how humans, animals, plants, and microbes share one ecosystem.
Together, these museums expand the definition of a zoo, reminding us that life is interconnected at every scale.
☕ Artisplein: A Place to Pause
For a quieter escape, Artisplein offers fountains and views of flamingos. Open daily until 11:30 pm, it is a public space where visitors can relax and soak in the atmosphere. It is here that ARTIS reveals its dual nature: both a bustling zoo and a tranquil retreat.
🚋 Getting to ARTIS
Located at Plantage Kerklaan 38–40, ARTIS is easily accessible:Tram 14 from Amsterdam Central stops directly at ARTIS. Tram lines 7 and 19 stop nearby at Alexanderplein. Metro station Waterlooplein is a 10-minute walk away. Visitors are encouraged to arrive by bicycle, foot, or public transport, keeping with ARTIS’s eco-conscious ethos.
🎟️ Tickets and Admission
Standard admission: €29.50 (13+), €25.50 (ages 3–12), free for children under 3.
I Amsterdam City Card: Includes free entry to ARTIS, Micropia, and Groote Museum.
Combined ARTIS + Micropia tickets: €35.50 for adults.
Booking online is recommended to avoid queues and secure entry during peak times.
🌍 Sustainability and Conservation
ARTIS is more than entertainment—it is a commitment to sustainability. Insect habitats, conservation programs, and educational exhibits emphasize the interconnectedness of life. Visitors leave not only with memories but with inspiration to act for the planet.
✨ A Living Museum of Nature and Heritage
To wander ARTIS is to step into a story where past and present meet. It is a place where shady trees shelter families, where animals thrive in spacious habitats, and where heritage is preserved in stone and oak. ARTIS is not simply a zoo—it is Amsterdam’s living museum, a sanctuary of nature, culture, and wonder.
