Plzeň ZOO and Botanical Garden

The Plzeň Zoological and Botanical Garden is the second oldest zoo in the Czech Republic and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the Plzeň region. It is located about a 75-minute drive from Prague and represents an ideal place for a family trip with children in Plzěn. The Plzeň Zoo was first established in the Doudlevka Quarter near the Radbuza River in 1926. In 1963 it moved to its current location in Lochotín where it merged with the nearby botanical garden in 1981. The Plzeň Zoo has an area of 21 hectares, with various micro-climates, and since 1996 it has been transformed into a zoo-geographical bio-park. It is worth mentioning that 70% of the species kept in the zoo are not to be found in any other zoo in the Czech Republic or Slovakia, making it truly unique in the region. You can admire many of the animals in open pens mimicking their natural environment – especially be sure to see the chimpanzees, lar gibbons, lion-tailed macaques and ring-tailed lemurs. The Asian section of the zoo and the Akva-Tera Pavilion in the center of Plzeň allow visitors to see a variety of invertebrates, fish, amphibians and reptiles. Another popular feature of the zoo is the farm section, called Lüftnerka, and which contains a collection of domestic animals and 400 exhibits of agricultural tools. Plant enthusiasts can enjoy the greenhouse with succulents from South Africa, Madagascar, and the Canary Islands or the Asian Garden with its rare and endangered species of woody plants. The Plzeň Zoo is opened 365 days a year.

Pod Vinicemi 9, Plzeň, +420 378 038 325, www.zooplzen.cz