Gdańsk Zoo (Oliwa Zoo)

The basics

Ticket prices for Gdańsk Zoo vary by season. Children under 3 go free, while 3–7-year-olds enjoy reduced entry. You can also gain free admission with the Gdańsk Tourist Card.

Gdańsk Zoo is a very different place in the lively summer months than during the chilly winter period. Seals and penguins are fed daily year-round, but more exotic animals appear on the schedule once the weather warms up. The rope park adventure course and petting zoo open only for summer, while the Zoo Train sightseeing bus operates between April and October only.

Things to know before you go

• Gdańsk Zoo is a solid choice for families with younger children who are visiting Gdańsk or vacationing in Sopot.

• Animal descriptions are in Polish only.

• Most families spend around half a day exploring the zoo, although it’s possible to tour the site in an hour by sightseeing bus, or spend a full day admiring the animals.

• There are additional charges for the petting zoo, the Zoo Train, and the rope park.

• The zoo has a range of food options, although several venues are only open during summer.

• Gdańsk Zoo is reasonably wheelchair friendly, with an accessible bathroom, but the bird and reptile houses do not have step-free access and the terrain is hilly. It’s not a good destination for travelers with vision impairments.

How to get there

Gdańsk Zoo lies in Oliwa, a rural area inland from Sopot that’s about a 7-mile (11-kilometer) drive northeast of central Gdańsk. It’s time-consuming to get there by public transit from either Gdańsk or Sopot, so many people opt to take a taxi or a rideshare, drive themselves, or join a tour. There’s a significant charge for parking.

When to get there

Between May and September, Gdańsk Zoo opens 9am–7pm seven days a week, with last admission at 6pm; between November and February, it opens 9am–3pm, with last admission at 2pm. During shoulder seasons, shutting time varies between 3pm and 7pm depending on the day and the month. There’s more to see and do in July and August, but it’s worth arriving early to beat the crowds.

Discovering Gdańsk with kids

From Sopot’s sandy beaches to Gdańsk Old Town, the Tri-City area has more to offer families than you’d think. A pirate ship river cruise or a shipyard tour by boat is a must, with the National Maritime Museum as a natural follow-up. The Hevelianum is an excellent science museum, Rope Park Port Brzeźno offers adventure for pocket-sized adrenaline junkies, and Sopot’s Crooked House will enthrall. In the Old Town, don’t miss the recently renovated medieval Crane and the astronomical clock in St. Mary’s Church.