10 Largest and Most Beautiful Zoos in Europe - Official Ranking

Whether you're traveling with your family and little kids, with friends, or consider yourself a daring solo traveler, when you find yourself visiting a European city and want to take a moment away from the urban chaos without going too far, a trip to the nearest zoo is always a great solution. In fact, whether you are an animal lover or just very curious, the zoo contains a world of its own, where different natural environments seem to coexist in perfect harmony. (Of course, we are referring to zoos with a capital Z, those that treat animals with the respect and care they deserve, not the ones that just pretend to be such!)
In this article, we have prepared a ranking of the largest and most beautiful zoos in Europe that you can visit, listed not only based on technical parameters (which we consider crucial), but also on feedback from those who have been there in the past.
So get ready for a wonderful journey of discovery in nature accompanied by sly felines, colorful birds, mischievous little monkeys, and... protected species!

In the south of Great Britain, in the county of Devon, the Paignton Zoo Environmental Park ranks tenth in the list of the largest zoos in Europe. Here you can find a wide variety of animal species divided into different areas according to their natural habitats: forest, savanna, swamp, prairie, etc. The real uniqueness of this zoo, however, is that it is not just a traditional zoo, but rather the team at Paignton Zoo is guided by a specific mission to help conserve and maintain certain endangered species. That is why, in addition to offering visitors the chance to participate in educational guided tours, the park also promotes a more sustainable lifestyle within the community, aiming to raise awareness about the environmental emergency.

The ninth position in our ranking is held by the zoo of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh. Opened back in 1913, this zoo is located just three miles from the city center in an area of tranquility and silence. It is home to more than 1000 specimens, many of which belong to rare and/or endangered species, or are severely injured and unable to return to their natural habitat. Among these, there are two beautiful specimens of Giant Panda, the only ones in all of Great Britain: the female, Sweetie, and the male, Sunshine, love to spend their time rolling around and eating bamboo, and the infinite sweetness they convey always captivates both young and old visitors.

At the Zoo Parc de Beauval, you can also admire Giant Pandas (a young couple and their baby, born last December). However, the zoo is so vast and rich in attractions that it would be a shame to limit yourself to just visiting the Pandas: among the species most loved by children are the red panda, the white tiger, the Indian rhinoceros, alligators, and California sea lions with their funny poses. In addition to attempting to closely introduce visitors to the animals, the French zoo aims to raise awareness among visitors through various projects including Silent Forest: a project that addresses the issue of illegal trafficking of plants and animals, which is unfortunately becoming increasingly prevalent in some parts of the world.

This is the oldest zoo not only in Berlin, but indeed in all of Germany, and is considered one of the largest zoos in the world by species variety. On 35 acres, there are over 17,000 specimens, many of which come from Asian and African regions.
One of the zoo's defining symbols is the polar bear (or white bear), which at three meters in length is one of the largest predators in nature (excluding aquatic animals, of course). Inside the Zoologischer Garten, you can also visit the reptile house and the nearby aquarium, which with its giant fluorescent tanks will make you feel part of another universe.
(At the entrance to the zoo, you can make a donation to support the park and the conservation of endangered species.)

Back in England, this time in Cheshire, we visit the sixth largest zoo in the world, covering over 50 acres: Chester Zoo is open from 10 AM to 4 PM, and within it are stored a wide variety of species, from large African felines to small Arctic penguins. The park is very famous for its environmental conservation mission, and almost every day, special events are held such as Breakfast with the Big Five of the savanna (for those who don't know, these are the five largest animals of the savanna: the elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhinoceros), training and educational courses for children and adults (the Junior Rangers Training Camp is particularly loved by the little ones and usually takes place on Sunday afternoons), as well as the opportunity to organize your own birthday parties, anniversaries, etc. in specific areas of the zoo. However, the most anticipated moment of the year is the Lantern Festival that takes place from November 23 to December 23, during which the zoo is decorated with lanterns shaped like wild animals and Christmas scenes are specially created: it is a unique spectacle that delights visitors of all ages.

In the heart of the Abbey of Cambron-Casteau, Zoo Pairi Daiza (formerly known as Zoo Paradisio) provides an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Among the over 5000 specimens present are the panther, the Siberian tiger, the giraffe, along with the park's two beloved mascots, the two adorable giant pandas, Hao Hao and Xing Hui. Additionally, it is definitely worth visiting this zoo because it features an incredible variety of different themed environments: there are aviaries, tropical greenhouses, an educational farm for younger children, eight acres dedicated to the savanna, and a well-stocked aquarium, Nautilus. Furthermore, Zoo Pairi Daiza holds some important European records: here you can find the largest Chinese garden, the largest Indonesian garden, and the largest aviary.

In Prague, just a bit away from the Troja castle, there is the city's zoo home to 133 endangered species. Since its opening in 1931, the Prague Zoo has consistently pursued the goal of preserving endangered species, a goal being pursued through continuous development in zoological research, commitment to nature protection, and, above all, educating the public about animal life. It should come as no surprise that here, in 1942, the first polar bear was born through artificial insemination, and a few years later, in 2004, the first gorilla.

Still in Berlin, there is another one of the largest zoos in Europe. Tierpark Berlin, in fact, along with Zoologischer Garten, is one of two zoological parks located in the German capital and is famous worldwide. The zoo is located in the Friedrichsfelde district and houses over 9000 specimens, many of which come from exotic countries. Thanks to its numerous play areas (including a Petting zoo, where you can pet farm animals) and the free train that allows you to explore every corner of the park, Tierpark Berlin is a pleasant place for a family trip, but also for relaxing outdoors in the middle of the city.

The Port Lympne Wild Animal Park is located in England, in the town of Hythe, and was built by architect Sir Herbert Baker during World War I. Given its size (about 240 acres), it may surprise you that the park contains only 700 specimens (belonging to 90 species), but there is a more than plausible explanation: within the area, it is possible to go on safari following organized paths, admiring animals in freedom within their environment. Among these, you will have the chance to get up close with very rare species, such as the black rhinoceros, which has very few specimens worldwide. The park also features an area called Dinosaur Forest, where you can walk and discover the dinosaurs that once populated our planet: the life-sized dinosaurs are quite realistic, and alongside the reproductions, some display panels will allow you to learn more about the prehistoric world. If you are looking for an even more realistic experience, downloading the park's free app from the Apple Store will allow you to experience a virtual reality adventure.

Not only the second but also the first place on our podium is occupied by a zoo located in England, this time in Whipsnade: it is the ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, which belongs to the ZSL Society, an organization focused on the global protection of animals and their natural habitats. Recognizable from several kilometers away by the silhouette of a large white lion that dominates one of the park's hills, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo has recreated very special environments inside, such as the Butterfly House, opened only in 2016 and already very appreciated by visitors, as well as the Sea Lion Pool, the Passage through Asia accessible by car (or the Jumbo Express), the Cheetah Rock, etc. Daily, you can watch the sea lion show or the colorful Birds of the World show, near the aviary area. It is also possible to participate in photography workshops (for adults) and the Junior Zoo Academy (for the younger ones).