Great Day out in Berlin! (Zoologischer Garten Berlin)

Member Name: Joanne84

Product:	Zoologischer Garten Berlin
Date:	20/07/09 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to find, value for money, great collection of animals

Disadvantages: None I can think of, this really is the best Zoo I've visited so far in Europe!

Having spent Christmas in Berlin last year, I was extremely keen to visit Berlin Zoo and so we spent a relaxing (but bitterly cold!) day there on Boxing Day. Having heard all about Knut the Polar Bear, and being a bear-lover, I was plesantly surprised at the collection of other bears at the zoo, including both Brown, North American Black and Panda bears. The enclosures were spacious and offered excellent vantage points for visitors. Having only seen Brown bears in American Zoos before, seeing one in Europe was excellent. The Zoo also boasts an impressive collection of big cats, although when we visited, they were all in their inside enclosures, more than likely because of the weather! Another notable enclosure was that of the hippos, where visitors can see them underwater which gave a great insight into just how graceful they are underwater, but also just how large they are as you are very close to them. As well as an impressive collection of animals, Berlin Zoo does benefit from some beautiful and well-landscaped grounds. The famous Elephant Gate is breathtaking in stature, and strolling around the grounds was extremely pleasant. In fact, it was easy to forget that you were in the middle of the city at some points!
The Zoo was incredibly good value for money, especially considering the collection of animals available to see there. Adult tickets were around £12/£13 each (depending on the exchange rate!) which is great in comparison with similar zoos in England. There is also an Aquarium on site which you can buy a seperate ticket for, although we did not visit it on this occasion. All in all, Berlin Zoo was a great experience and we very much enjoyed ourselves. It really is an all weather attraction as well so great whatever the weather and whatever the time of year!

Summary: Very enjoyable experience and well worth a visit.