One of the most interesting zoo's in the world. Is shows the animals of Israel and the region but also animals from Africa and australia. Highly recomeded for families with young children.
Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
Israel’s most-visited attraction
The unique Jerusalem atmosphere that cannot be found anywhere else has turned the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem to Israel’s most-visited tourist attraction. The Biblical Zoo is situated in a pastoral valley in the south west of Jerusalem, and it was designed to provide animals with a habitat as close to nature as possible. The zoo offers plenty of special activities for children – a petting zoo, instructed animal feedings, story and creative workshops, night tours and a visitor center shaped in the form of Noah’s Ark. Just like the original ark, the Zoo aspires to preserve and increase the population of endangered species.
The Zoo’s primary goal are establishing a zoological assortment with decent living conditions; educating the public about preserving nature and protecting wild animals; encouraging social and environmental awareness; conducting research and taking part in national and international projects of conservation of endangered species, captive breeding and reintroduction of animals to the wild; and creating a diverse attraction with a special emphasis on the values of nature.
A visit to Noah’s Ark
The visitor center in the Biblical Zoo is shaped in the form of Noah’s ark right in the center of the zoo’s magical water-themed amphitheater. Covering an area of 62 acres, the zoo includes extensive lawns, a set of pools, a large man-made pond, and shaded charming corners. The zoo is built on two levels within the valley with plenty of animal exhibitions, all connected together with a circular walking path. The children can also enjoy the marvelous sculpture garden situated on a green hill at the center of the zoo, including enormous animal sculptures, decorated with stones and mosaics. The children are allowed to climb and play on some of the sculptures.
If you need some assistance getting around or if you just want the experience, there is a train (on wheels) which travels around the zoo. The train has a few stops: 1st stop – next to the bears (drop off only); 2nd stop – by the visitor center, Noah’s Ark (drop off& pick up); 3rd stop – by “the story of a drop” exhibition (drop off& pick up); 4th and final stop – by the flamingos, low level (drop off only). That been said, strolling along the garden and watching the animals play, rest, and eat is a great experience and it is truly recommended.
The train does not operate on Staurdays and Holidays.
Photography by: Jerusalem Biblical Zoo PR
Opening hours
Sun-Thurs:
(October-March) 09:00-17:00;
(April-September) 09:00-19:00
Fridays: 09:00-16:30
Saturday and holidays:
(October-March) 10:00-17:00;
(April-September) 10:00-18:00
Tickets
Adults: 55 ILS
Children (3-18 years): 42 ILS
Students, senior citizens, policemen, and soldiers: 42 ILS *Relevant documentation and ID is required
TripAdvisor Reviews
Based on 486 traveler reviewsNew
“Funny and Ossom!”
“Very well thought out zoo”
i always thought a zoo was a zoo. But the Jerusalem zoo is in relatively new quarters and is superbly well laid out. It is expensive (including the need for a taxi as it is not near most hotels) Our grandchildren loved it.
“Wonderful.”
Great place to visit but take good walking shoes. Lots of animals, great to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the temperature is cooler. Do not enter the petting zoo with food or you will be swarmed by dozens of hungry goats.
“Nice Zoo, something to do on a Saturday when everything else is closed”
This was a nice place to go on a Saturday when almost everything is closed in Jerusalem. They have several options of touring the grounds when you enter. You can choose a route that takes 1 hour, 2 hours or more than 2 hours. The exhibits were nice and well...
MoreThis was a nice place to go on a Saturday when almost everything is closed in Jerusalem. They have several options of touring the grounds when you enter. You can choose a route that takes 1 hour, 2 hours or more than 2 hours. The exhibits were nice and well kept. I went in the middle of the day, I would suggest going early in the day before the heat really sets in. Since the buses do not run on Saturdays, if you do not have a car, you will need to take a taxi.
Less“Lovely Zoo, Fun for Kids, Surprising Animals”
Nice zoo. I’m glad we went, but I wouldn’t have included it if we didn’t have so many days in Jerusalem with kids (4, 6 and 12). After four days touring the Old City and such, this was a nice break for our crew. It feels small, with all the exhibits pretty close but also...
MoreNice zoo. I’m glad we went, but I wouldn’t have included it if we didn’t have so many days in Jerusalem with kids (4, 6 and 12). After four days touring the Old City and such, this was a nice break for our crew. It feels small, with all the exhibits pretty close but also super natural and park-like. Not a lot of the infrastructure—snack bars, gift shops, etc.—that make American zoos feel like theme parks. So that's a big plus. This is a simple and satisfying and pretty surprising place to visit. We loved the penguins, the small animal room (so creepy and also so cute), the Syrian brown bears, and the African safari walk. The “biblical” aspect of this place wasn’t very obvious. There are quotes on the placards from the Torah, related to the animals, but then it’s not just creatures from scripture. There a penguins here. Also, either eat as you come or go or bring your own food. Once you’re past the entrance plaza, food options are scarce (the two other snack bars were closed for the day by the afternoon). Also, there's a rather sizable playground in the middle of the zoo. Not enough places in the world have sizable playgrounds, and we were excited to find one here. Fun times.
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