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Your hotel at the Berlin Zoo: Central location in the capital

The hotel is located in the central district of Charlottenburg, near the Zoological Garden. You can look forward to a variety of attractions, exciting visits for the whole family, and the proximity to the train station and Kurfürstendamm.

The Zoological Garden of Berlin

It is the oldest zoological garden in Germany and the most species-rich in the world. The hotel is located in close proximity to the zoo in the Tiergarten district, which is part of the Berlin-Mitte district. Additionally, there is the Tierpark in Berlin, which is located further east in the Friedrichsfelde district.

Connection road “Dammweg” from 1542

The precursor to Kurfürstendamm was the so-called Dammweg, which was established in 1542. It was intended to connect the Berlin City Palace and the Grunewald Hunting Lodge in the western part of the city. Personalities like Elector Joachim II used the Dammweg as a riding path. Old maps from 1685 show the connecting road. About 100 years later, the name “Churfürsten Damm” officially appeared. The Berlin Zoological Garden covers an area of 33 hectares and is home to over 20,000 animals representing around 1,100 species. There is also an aquarium. Together, the zoo and aquarium attract well over 2 million visitors per year, making it one of the most visited attractions in the city. Furthermore, it is also the namesake of the Berlin Zoologischer Garten railway station. It is located at Hardenbergplatz, across from the administrative building and the Lion Gate. Attractions such as the Berlin Gedächtniskirche and the historic Ku’damm are also easily reached on foot from here, making the hotel’s location very central.

The story

In 1841, Martin Hinrich Lichtenstein, the zoologist of the Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Berlin, managed to persuade the king to establish a zoo. With the support of Friedrich Wilhelm IV, he not only received a loan but also a portion of the Fasanerie grounds in the Berlin Tiergarten for his use. Thus, on January 31, 1841, the Zoologischer Garten was founded. It was opened on August 1, 1844, with Martin Hinrich Lichtenstein serving as its first director.

A new destination for day trips

In the following years, the first notable features of the zoo were established, such as the Antilope House in 1871. Due to its exotic style, it quickly became a popular attraction. The Elephant House, Ostrich House, Stork House, and Elephant Gate also gained many enthusiastic followers. Pavilions and restaurants within the zoo grounds made it a popular destination for day trips. By 1888, the animal collection could already be compared to that of the London Zoo. Initially, it was surrounded by a simple wooden fence, but in 1905, a wall was erected. There were plans to build an exhibition hall for trade fairs and similar events, but the public opposed it. They did not want the zoo to lose its character as a place for animals.

Expansion and destruction

The zoo continued to expand. For example, the Aquarium was added in 1913. After World War I, the director took the Hagenbeck Tierpark in Hamburg as a model to renovate the outdoor enclosures. From 1939, a dark period in the zoo’s history followed. Under Lutz Heck, Jews were no longer allowed to enter the zoo. The zoo suffered extensive damage during Allied air raids, with only 91 animals out of over 3,700 surviving the attacks. Between 1945 and 1956, Katharina Heinroth was the only female zoo director in Germany. She organized the reconstruction of the Berlin Zoo and initiated many renovations. In the following decades, the zoo focused on breeding rare and endangered species such as black rhinos and Przewalski’s horses. Since German reunification, there has been close cooperation with the Tierpark in Berlin-Friedrichsfelde.

The animal facilities

There is a wide range of animal enclosures, shows, and commented feedings. Special events, children’s birthdays, school activities, and “favorite animal visits” are also offered by the Zoo School and other teams.

These are the animal facilities to admire near your hotel:

Ibex Rock
Eagle Gorge with Eagle Rock
Camel Area
Bear Rock
Cattle Area
Seal Rock
Hoofed Animals
Deer Area
Pheasantry
Rodent Rock
Aviaries

Additionally, there is also the petting zoo “Hans im Glück” for children. The zoo also features numerous enclosures and houses for elephants, rhinos, hippos, pigs, carnivores, nocturnal animals, monkeys, pandas, birds, penguins, antelopes, giraffes, as well as the aquarium.

FAQ – Questions?

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Is it currently open?

Opening hours:

1 January - 26 February
9:00 - 16:30
Last admission: 15:30

27 February - 26 March
9:00 - 18:00
Last admission: 17:00

27 March - 24 September
9:00 - 18:30
Last admission: 17:00

25 September - 29 October
9:00 - 18:00
Last admission: 17:00

30 October - 31 December
9:00 - 16:30
Last admission: 15:30

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How do I get to the zoo?

To get to the zoo, you have several transportation options: Public Transportation: You can take the U-Bahn (subway) or S-Bahn (urban train) to the Zoologischer Garten station, which is directly connected to the zoo. The station is served by multiple lines, including U2 and U9 (subway) and S5, S7, and S75 (urban train). Bus: There are several bus lines that stop near the zoo, including bus numbers 100, 109, 110, 200, 204, 245, 249, M45, M46, M49, X9, X10, X34, N2, N10, and N26. You can check the specific bus routes and schedules to plan your trip. Car: If you prefer to drive, you can use a car or a taxi to reach the zoo. The zoo is located near the city center, and there are parking facilities available nearby, such as the parking lot at the zoo itself or other parking garages in the vicinity. It's recommended to check the current schedules and routes of public transportation options before your visit to ensure smooth travel to the zoo.

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How long does it take me to walk to the zoo?

9 Minutes

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Which Berlin zoo is better?

Basically, both Berlin zoos are worth a visit!

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How much time should one plan for the visit?

If you want to see all the animals and attractions, you should plan 2 days.

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How big is the Berlin Zoo?

The total area is equivalent to 33 hectares, which is about 15 football fields.

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How many animals are there currently?

There are currently over 20,000 animals from around 1,000 species on display.

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How much is the entrance fee?

Day Tickets Adults

Zoo €17.50 Zoo + Aquarium* €23.50

Day Tickets Children Aged 4 to 15 years

Zoo €9.00 Zoo + Aquarium* €12.00

Children under 4 years

Zoo + Aquarium Free

Reduced** Students (16+), Apprentices, Volunteer Service Participants, Unemployed (receiving benefits), Severely Disabled (50% and above, 16+)

Zoo €12.00 Zoo + Aquarium* €17.00

The Berlin Zoo Station

Next to it is the Berlin Zoologischer Garten station, also known as Bahnhof Zoo. It is an important transit station operated by Deutsche Bahn. It serves S-Bahn and U-Bahn lines, as well as regional and express trains. Numerous buses and night buses operated by BVG depart from the bus station in front of Hardenbergplatz.

Thanks to this excellent connectivity, your hotel is easily accessible. You can reach the station from Berlin Hauptbahnhof (main station) in just a few minutes and then take a leisurely walk to your hotel located in the heart of Berlin-Charlottenburg.

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Berlin Zoo since 1841