Attraction
Elbphilharmonie
Herzog & de Meuron's glass concert hall on a 1960s brick warehouse, with a public Plaza 37 metres up that gives a full circuit of views…
Tierpark Hagenbeck
A family-run zoo opened in 1907 that pioneered enclosures without bars, with a large elephant herd, an Arctic sea walkway and a separate tropical aquarium.
At a glance
- Type
- Zoo and tropical aquarium
- Area
- Stellingen, Hamburg, Germany
- Official site
- hagenbeck.de
Good to know
- Tropical aquarium
- Arctic walkway
- Elephant herd
- Orang-utan house
- Playgrounds
Why we recommend it
Tierpark Hagenbeck opened in May 1907 and is still run by the Hagenbeck family. Its founder, Carl Hagenbeck, built it around a then radical idea: instead of barred cages, animals were shown in open enclosures separated from visitors by moats, and grouped together rather than displayed one cage at a time. The concept influenced zoo design around the world, and Hagenbeck's design was used for the Rome Zoo in 1911, and Hagenbeck himself described his aim as an animal paradise.
The zoo covers about 25 hectares and holds thousands of animals from hundreds of species. Highlights listed by the zoo include the Eismeer, an Arctic sea area with a 750-metre visitor walkway, home among others to the zoo's walruses; the Africa panorama; a light-filled domed orang-utan house; and one of the largest elephant herds in Europe. Look out for the life-size dinosaur sculptures, the Thai pavilion gifted in 2002 which was built in Thailand and reassembled here without nails, and the historic Art Nouveau gate at the main entrance, reopened after a long reconstruction. The park's walruses have included Antje, a Pacific walrus who arrived in 1976, and a group of four that came from Moscow in 2013.
The Tropen-Aquarium next to the main entrance is a separate attraction with its own ticket. It takes you through cave and tropical worlds with small frogs and free-roaming ring-tailed lemurs, and is a good option on a cold or wet day. Combined visits are possible but make for a long day with young children.
Hagenbeck suits families above all, but its history and landscaping also appeal to adults. With separate tickets for the zoo and the aquarium, it makes sense to arrive early and make a day of it. Ticket desks close an hour before the park does and last entry is in the late afternoon; opening times change with the season, so check the zoo's visitor information page before you go. Allow at least four hours for the zoo alone.
The zoo is in Stellingen. Take the U2 to Hagenbecks Tierpark, which stops right outside, or one of several bus lines to the same stop. Drivers should leave the A7 at the Stellingen exit.
Tierpark Hagenbeck FAQs
How do you get to Hagenbeck?
Take the U2 to Hagenbecks Tierpark, which stops right by the entrance, or a bus to the same stop.
Is the Tropical Aquarium included in the zoo ticket?
No, the Tropen-Aquarium has its own ticket, though both can be visited on the same day.
What makes Hagenbeck special?
It was the first zoo to use open enclosures without bars, separated by moats, when it opened in 1907.
What are the main highlights?
The Eismeer Arctic walkway, the Africa panorama, the orang-utan house and one of Europe's largest elephant herds.
When does the zoo open?
Opening times vary by season; ticket desks close an hour before closing, so check the zoo's visitor information page.
How long should you allow?
At least four hours for the zoo, and most of a day if you add the aquarium.
Is it good for young children?
Yes, it is aimed above all at families, and the aquarium is a good indoor option in bad weather.
Who runs the zoo?
It is still owned and run by the Hagenbeck family.