IllustrationVisit Zoo Rostock for an unrushed day with great apes, polar bears and a park that gives children plenty of room to play.
Visit Zoo Rostock for an unrushed day with great apes, polar bears and a park that gives children plenty of room to play. The 56-hectare grounds have two distinct parts: the historic zoo around Trotzenburg, home to the Polarium, and the larger woodland section with the Darwineum. Pick your first big stop before setting out; these are substantial attractions in their own right.
In the Darwineum, start with the evolution displays before entering the tropical hall. Fossils, aquariums and interactive exhibits give children different ways into the story of life. Then slow down at the western lowland gorillas and Bornean orangutans. Watch how an ape uses its hands, chooses a climbing route or settles beside another animal. The smaller residents reward attention too: look for the Bali mynas’ white plumage and blue eye patches among the tropical surroundings.
The Polarium changes the scene to polar bears, Humboldt penguins and marine life. Try both the outdoor viewpoints and the underwater windows; a swimming animal can look entirely different from one resting ashore. In the Eiswelten exhibition, children can explore a snow cave and compare themselves with a polar bear at the long-jump activity. The Meereswelten aquariums offer a quieter pause with jellyfish and other sea creatures.
Between animal stops, give the gardens a turn. The historic oak avenue, rhododendron grove, planted dahlias and outdoor sculptures make the older section especially rewarding for a slower stroll. Be ready to snap and learn! Get the Snappit app to identify any nature species you find here.
Rostock’s zoo dates its foundation to 1899. Its early development combined animals with a dendrological garden, and the oak avenue was planted between 1907 and 1912. The Darwineum opened in 2012 and the Polarium in 2018. That combination of garden history and large modern animal houses still shapes a visit today.
Arriving by car or bus at Barnstorfer Ring, begin with the nearby otters, then follow the zoo plan towards the Darwineum. Take a proper break after the tropical hall rather than hurrying straight across the park. Continue past the seal area and follow signs for the passage between the two zoo sections if you want to add the Polarium. The big-cat area and red pandas are further options in the historic section. Arriving by tram at Trotzenburg, reverse the emphasis: start with the Polarium and explore the older grounds before deciding whether to cross to the Darwineum.
With younger children, pair one large indoor attraction with a playground and a few animals. The Fram play ship belongs naturally with a Polarium visit; the woodland section has the Viking playground and its picnic area. Let each child choose one animal to watch for several minutes. Try spotting three different actions, such as climbing, grooming and resting, rather than counting how many enclosures you pass.
The zoo opens year-round. The published last admission is 16:00 from October to March and 17:00 from April to September; animal houses close one hour later. Check the opening page before travel, especially for holidays. The Südamerika-Haus is closed for renovation, with reopening planned for 2027. In the gardens, dahlias flower from high summer until the first autumn frosts.
Accessible paths, toilets and entrances serve much of the zoo, with designated parking at Barnstorfer Ring. The zoo lists exceptions: the rainforest pavilion, snow-leopard rock, orangutan visitor hut in the Darwineum, upper circuit of the Südamerika-Haus, suspension bridge on the wading-bird meadow and petting enclosures. The Südamerika-Haus is currently closed altogether. Free wheelchairs can be reserved on 0381 2082-218. For a pushchair or wheelchair day, use the main visitor paths and ask at the entrance about current diversions and the best alternatives to these features.
Follow the evolution displays into a tropical hall with gorillas, orangutans and smaller animals worth seeking out.
Combine underwater views of polar bears and Humboldt penguins with hands-on polar exhibits and marine aquariums.
Build in the Fram ship, Viking playground or water-play stations instead of treating them as end-of-day extras.
Wander the oak avenue and look for sculptures, rhododendrons and the summer-to-autumn dahlia displays.
From Barnstorfer Ring, combine the otters and Darwineum with a meal break, then follow the signed passage to the historic section for the Polarium. Add the big cats or gardens if everyone still has energy. Starting at Trotzenburg works in the other direction.
Ask for an accessible route at the entrance and bypass the particular structures listed under Accessibility.
At the Polarium, follow a penguin from above water to the viewing window if it swims past. Ask children which movements change and which stay the same. Avoid tapping on the glass.
Compare your arm span at the orangutan activity, then try the cheetah sprint or polar-bear long jump. Let children choose one result to remember or sketch.
For persistent rain, choose the Darwineum’s evolution displays and tropical hall, or spend a slower visit among the Polarium’s ice and marine exhibits. Keep the outdoor transfer to the other section optional.
Look from the outdoor viewpoints and the underwater windows. If a bear is resting away from view, explore the exhibition and try again later.
Settle at a viewing window and watch the group’s small interactions. Rostock keeps western lowland gorillas; feeding, resting and social contact can be as absorbing as climbing.
Look for a white bird with black wing tips and bright blue skin around the eyes. Give the smaller birds a turn after watching the apes.
Check the pool and the banks near the main entrance. Otters may be tucked away resting; a scheduled Tierzeit session offers another reason to return.
Watch how the Cape fur seals move on land as well as in water. Notice how they support their bodies with their flippers when ashore.
Look carefully through the branches before moving on. A resting red panda can blend into the enclosure’s structure; keep your voice low and allow time.
Scan the rocks slowly for a long tail and pale spotted coat. The elevated snow-leopard rock is among the zoo’s access exceptions, so ask about alternative viewing.
Use the glazed views across the grassy enclosure. Lions spend plenty of time resting; watching an ear turn or a head lift still reveals their attention.
The Viking playground has a picnic area. The Darwineum restaurant is reached after the tropical hall; food outlets elsewhere may close seasonally or with poor weather. Choose your next toilet and play stop on the zoo plan before crossing sections.
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Choose your entrance
Barnstorfer Ring 1, 18059 Rostock is the main entrance with paid parking. Trotzenburg, beside the tram stop, reopened in September 2026 after renovation.
Public transport
Trams 3 and 6 serve Trotzenburg; bus 28 serves Barnstorfer Ring. Check the current RSAG journey planner for your travel date.
Tickets
Buy online or at the zoo; advance reservations are unnecessary for an ordinary visit. Compare family tickets and bring proof for concessions. Children under four enter free.
Keep your return in mind
The two main attractions are in different sections. Save the official zoo plan and leave energy for the walk back to your entrance.
Food and changing
Use the Darwineum restaurant or Lodge for a meal when open, or designated picnic areas for your own food. Baby-changing facilities include Barnstorfer Ring, the Darwineum and Lodge.
Carry less
Handcarts can be hired; reserve by the day before on 0381 2082-218. Bring waterproofs for the outdoor stretches and spare clothes if children will use the water play.
Watch respectfully
Stay on visitor paths, keep off barriers and never offer your own food. Follow staff and enclosure signs at any animal-contact area.
Photos
Switch off flash. Personal photography is permitted; credit Zoo Rostock when publishing images online. Commercial use needs the zoo’s prior permission.
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
North Carolina, US
You might spot American Robin and Eastern Gray Squirrel.
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Florida, US
You might spot Anhinga, American Alligator, and Wood Duck.
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New Mexico, US
You might spot Wood Duck, Duck, and Canada Goose.
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Michigan, US
You might spot African Lion, Komodo Dragon, and Brown Bear.
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Take the discovery with you
Identify the wildlife you spot, learn as you go, and keep a collection of the adventure.
