IllustrationVisit Tiergarten Worms for an easy-going day of wolves, rare farm animals and play in the Bürgerweide recreation area.
Visit Tiergarten Worms for an easy-going day of wolves, rare farm animals and play in the Bürgerweide recreation area. The roughly 8.5-hectare zoo sits between central Worms and the Rhine, with animal areas arranged around a pond. Pick up a plan at the ticket office and choose an animal everyone particularly wants to see.
The farm deserves an unrushed first stop. Glan cattle, Bunte Bentheimer pigs and Thüringer Waldziegen are among the old domestic breeds cared for here. Read their breed names together: conservation can mean preserving familiar farm animals as well as protecting animals from distant countries.
In the Eurasian woodland, you enter a walk-through setting with fallow deer and mouflon. Keep to visitor paths and give animals room to pass. Spend time at the wolves too, then change pace with budgerigars, meerkats or alpacas. These are animals in the zoo’s care, including those in walk-through enclosures; photographs here record captive animals rather than wild sightings.
Build the day around pauses at the inclusive playground or Café am See by the pond. A second look at a favourite enclosure often adds more than hurrying through the last few stops. Explore the grounds like a pro—download the Snappit app to instantly identify animals and plants.
The zoo opened in July 1972 and has since expanded to more than twice its original size. In 2014 its farm became a GEH-certified Arche-Park, recognising work to maintain endangered domestic breeds. The current Exotenhaus renovation continues that evolution: the building began in the early 1970s as a plant display house with aquariums and aviaries.
For a broad circuit, begin with the farm, continue towards the Eurasian woodland and wolves, then use the park plan to connect the Australian aviary, meerkats and South America area. Fit the playground and café in wherever your group needs a break. You can shorten the circuit at any point. The Exotenhaus is closed for renovation: some of its animals have moved to other public enclosures, while others are behind the scenes. Ask at the entrance what can currently be seen.
The zoo normally opens daily at 09:00, closing at 19:00 from April to September, 18:00 in March and October, and 17:00 from November to February. Last admission is one hour before closing. It is closed on 24 and 31 December and opens at 13:00 on 25 December and 1 January. Check current notices before travelling. The renovated Exotenhaus is provisionally expected to reopen in 2027; do not plan an indoor animal circuit until reopening is confirmed.
The park advertises accessible grounds, seating, accessible toilets and accessible café and shop entrances. Designated parking is beside the main entrance. Borrow a wheelchair free by arranging it ahead on 06241 853 7800. The inclusive playground has a wheelchair carousel. For particular mobility needs, ask about current routes around the Exotenhaus works and access to walk-through areas before visiting.
The Exotenhaus is closed. Focus on outdoor areas and ask staff where its relocated animals can be viewed.
Look for Glan cattle, Bunte Bentheimer pigs and Thüringer Waldziegen, part of the zoo’s work to preserve old domestic breeds.
Explore the Eurasian walk-through enclosure, then give the wolves a patient viewing stop from the visitor area.
The central playground has a wheelchair carousel and other accessible play equipment, making it a useful shared stopping point.
Choose one domestic pig on the farm and a wild boar in the Eurasian area. Ask children to notice the ears, coat and body shape, then read the signs together. You can do the same with a farm sheep and a mouflon. A quick drawing is enough; no animal needs to come to the fence for the activity to work.
During the breeding season, use the official stork webcam before or after your visit to see what is happening in the nest. Let children describe one behaviour they notice. The camera gives a close view without approaching a nest; its availability and the birds’ activity vary.
Bring waterproof layers and choose a few outdoor stops you especially want to make. Use Café am See for a break if it is open and there is space inside. While the Exotenhaus renovation continues, choose another day if a substantial indoor animal visit is essential to your plans.
Look across the whole enclosure before raising your camera. A resting wolf may be less obvious than a moving one. Watch how individuals position themselves without trying to provoke a response.
Stay on the public path and let deer choose their distance. Look for a clear view of the coat and body shape. Enjoy the wider woodland scene if an animal moves away.
Compare the mouflon with the deer sharing this area: notice the coat, face and any horns. Keep food away and leave the animals an unobstructed way past.
Search the perches slowly for the owl’s outline and ear tufts. A still bird is worth observing too. Keep voices low and never tap the enclosure to attract attention.
Look for the snout and sturdy body shape, then compare your picture with the farm’s domestic pigs. Stay behind the viewing barrier and never use food to bring animals closer.
Try a wider picture showing several alpacas and differences in their fleece. Wait for an uncluttered view. Special keeper-led encounters do not mean ordinary visitors may enter or feed here.
Follow one bird between perches before taking a photograph. Notice its colours, shape and movement. Follow the entrance-door instructions; every bird here belongs to the zoo collection.
Use the viewing windows and look low as well as towards higher points. Watch movement along the ground as well as upright poses. Give other visitors a turn at the glass.
The European wolves introduced in December 2024 were four siblings. Watching the animals together gives the enclosure a different interest from looking for a single portrait: notice who rests near whom and how they use the space.
60–90 minutes, 2–3 hours and 3–4 hours are editorial family planning estimates, not measured route times.
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Start with the big picture, then zoom in to explore individual wildlife observations around this place.
Driving
The postal address is Hammelsdamm 101, 67547 Worms. For satnav, use Friedrichsweg 45 and follow the signs. Free parking at the zoo is limited.
By bus or bike
Bus 405 serves the zoo; check your outward and return connections with VRN. Bicycle stands are at the entrance, with a limited number of free e-bike battery-charging lockers.
Tickets and extras
Check the current admission and family-ticket options. Handcarts can be hired at the ticket office subject to availability; the Emma children’s railway is a separately charged extra when running.
Feeding rules
Never use food brought from home. Zoo food may be given only to animals explicitly marked for feeding. Feeding is forbidden in walk-through enclosures, including with food bought inside the zoo.
Dogs
Dogs need their own ticket and must stay on a short lead. They cannot enter animal houses or enclosures marked with a dog ban, so plan your stops accordingly.
Food and a seat
Café am See has indoor and outdoor seating. Its hours are shorter than the zoo’s, so check them before relying on a late meal or a warm drink near closing time.
Leave scooters outside
Bicycles, scooters, skateboards and similar riding toys are not allowed inside. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Quiet photographs
Stay on visitor paths and keep barriers clear. Personal photos are allowed; commercial use needs advance written permission. Let animals retreat without calling or tapping to attract them.
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.
