Are you deciding between Artis in Amsterdam and Diergaarde Blijdorp in Rotterdam? Both are excellent zoos, but they offer very different experiences. Artis is a historic city zoo surrounded by Amsterdam’s canals, museums, and neighbourhoods, while Blijdorp offers a larger journey through different habitats and continents in Rotterdam.
The better choice depends on what you want from your day. Do you want to combine a zoo visit with sightseeing in Amsterdam? Or would you rather spend most of the day exploring a large zoo with animals, themed habitats, and the Oceanium?
In this guide, we compare Artis Royal Zoo and Diergaarde Blijdorp on the things that matter most: the overall experience, animals and exhibits, aquariums, time needed, location, ticket prices, and the type of visitor each zoo suits best.
Last updated: August 23, 2026
Artis vs Blijdorp at a glance
| Category | Artis Amsterdam | Diergaarde Blijdorp Rotterdam |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | A city trip combined with a zoo visit | A full day focused on the zoo |
| Atmosphere | Historic, compact, green, and urban | Spacious, immersive, and organised around different habitats |
| Location | Central Amsterdam | Close to Rotterdam Central Station |
| Aquarium | The renewed ARTIS Aquarium | The large Oceanium with an underwater shark tunnel |
| Planetarium | Yes, included with the zoo ticket | No |
| Typical visit | Several hours, depending on how much you explore | A full day works well |
| Adult ticket price | From €29.50 online, depending on the date | From €27.50, depending on the date |
| Best choice for a wider city trip | Amsterdam | Rotterdam |
Prices are starting prices and can change according to the date of your visit. Artis currently offers cheaper online tickets, with adult zoo tickets starting from €29.50. Blijdorp also uses date based pricing, with tickets currently starting from €27.50. It is worth checking the official ticket calendars before booking.
Our quick answer
If you are already spending a day or several days in Amsterdam, Artis is usually the more convenient choice. Its central location means that you can combine the zoo with other attractions without travelling across the Netherlands. The historic setting also makes the visit feel different from a traditional large wildlife park.
If the zoo itself is the main reason for your day out, Blijdorp is usually the stronger choice. Its different themed areas, extensive collection of animals, and large Oceanium create a more expansive experience.
That does not mean one zoo is universally better. The right choice depends on the kind of day you want to have.
What is the difference between Artis and Blijdorp?
Artis is a historic city zoo
Artis is located in the heart of Amsterdam and combines animals, plants, historic buildings, science, and culture in one compact setting. This is one of its biggest advantages.
You can visit the zoo in the morning and then continue exploring Amsterdam afterwards. The location makes it particularly attractive if your trip already includes Amsterdam’s other attractions.
The experience is also about more than animals. Artis includes the ARTIS Aquarium and Planetarium with a standard zoo ticket. The Aquarium reopened to the public in June 2026 after a major restoration and now combines aquatic animals and plants with science, art, and the story of water.
If you want to know what a complete visit looks like, our complete guide to visiting Artis Zoo in Amsterdam is the logical next step.
Blijdorp feels more like a full zoo day
Diergaarde Blijdorp has a different character. Rather than being a compact city zoo surrounded by Amsterdam attractions, it is designed as a larger journey through different parts of the natural world.
Blijdorp describes its experience as moving from continent to continent. Visitors can explore areas featuring Asian elephants, red pandas, African animals, and the Oceanium, among other habitats.
This makes Blijdorp particularly appealing when the zoo is one of the main activities of your day rather than one stop during a larger sightseeing itinerary.
The zoo is also conveniently located near Rotterdam Central Station. Blijdorp states that it is about a ten minute walk from the station and also has bus and metro stops close to the entrance.
For practical information about the Rotterdam zoo, our guide to visiting Blijdorp Zoo goes into more detail.
Which zoo feels bigger?
Blijdorp generally feels more expansive because its experience is built around multiple themed areas and longer routes through the park. You can spend much of the day moving between different habitats and exhibits.
Artis feels more compact. That can be an advantage rather than a disadvantage if you are visiting Amsterdam with limited time or travelling with children who may not want to walk around a large zoo for an entire day.
So, if you are asking “Which zoo is better for a full day?”, we would lean towards Blijdorp. If you are asking “Which zoo is easier to combine with a city break?”, Artis has the advantage.
Artis Amsterdam: what makes it special?
The historic setting
Artis offers something that is difficult to reproduce in a modern wildlife park: a historic zoo experience in the middle of Amsterdam.
The grounds combine mature greenery, historic architecture, animal habitats, and cultural attractions. You are not simply walking from one modern enclosure to another. The surroundings are part of the experience.
Recent changes also continue to reshape parts of the zoo. For example, the historic Kerbert Terrace was restored in 2025 and is now home to ring tailed lemurs, red ruffed lemurs, and radiated tortoises. The former lion habitat was adapted because the older enclosure no longer met modern standards for lion care.
The new Artis Aquarium
The renewed Aquarium is one of the biggest reasons why older descriptions of Artis are now outdated.
The historic Aquarium reopened on 13 June 2026 after a five year restoration and reinvention. The new experience focuses on the importance of water for life and combines living aquatic species with interactive installations, art, and educational storytelling.
Artis describes the renewed Aquarium as containing around 250 species, with one million litres of water and new artworks integrated into the experience.
This makes the Aquarium an important part of the Artis versus Blijdorp comparison. Artis is no longer simply the smaller zoo with a historic setting and a few additional attractions. Its renewed Aquarium gives visitors another substantial experience within the zoo itself.
The Planetarium
The Planetarium is another feature that distinguishes Artis from Blijdorp. Admission to the Planetarium is included with an Artis Zoo ticket, and visitors can attend shows about the universe, stars, planets, and our place in space. English audio is available through headsets for most shows.
For families, couples, and visitors interested in science as well as animals, this adds variety to the day. It also means that an Artis visit does not have to be entirely focused on animal exhibits.
Artis is especially good for an Amsterdam city trip
The biggest practical advantage of Artis is its location.
Instead of treating the zoo as an isolated day trip, we can build it into a wider Amsterdam itinerary. We might visit Artis in the morning, explore another part of the city afterwards, or use the zoo as a break from museums and busy tourist areas.
If you have already visited Amsterdam’s main attractions and want something different, you may also want to explore our guide to hidden gems in Amsterdam.
Artis is open daily, with the zoo currently open from 09:00 to 18:00 during the main season. The exact opening hours can vary during parts of the year and on special dates, so checking the official schedule before your visit is sensible.
Who should choose Artis?
- Visitors already staying in Amsterdam
- Travellers who want to combine a zoo with city sightseeing
- Families who prefer a more compact zoo experience
- Visitors interested in animals, science, history, and culture
- Travellers who want to visit the renewed ARTIS Aquarium
- Visitors who would enjoy adding the Planetarium to their zoo day
In short, Artis works particularly well when the city is part of the attraction. We would choose it when the goal is not simply to spend an entire day inside a large zoo, but to experience one of Amsterdam’s distinctive attractions and continue exploring the city afterwards.
Diergaarde Blijdorp: what makes it special?
A larger experience for a full day
Diergaarde Blijdorp has a different character from Artis. While Artis combines a zoo with the atmosphere and attractions of central Amsterdam, Blijdorp gives visitors more of a dedicated zoo day in Rotterdam.
The park takes you through different habitats and regions, with animals and landscapes designed around the natural world. This makes it a good choice if you enjoy taking your time and exploring a zoo without needing to combine it with other major attractions.
Blijdorp is open daily and normally welcomes visitors from 09:00 to 18:00. During special summer evenings, opening hours can be extended, so it is worth checking the official calendar for your chosen date.
The Oceanium is a major advantage
One of the clearest differences between Blijdorp and Artis is the Oceanium.
The Oceanium takes visitors on a journey beneath the surface of the water. Among the highlights are sharks, rays, sea turtles, penguins, and other marine animals. The underwater tunnel is particularly impressive because it gives visitors the feeling of being surrounded by marine life.
This makes Blijdorp an especially interesting choice for visitors who enjoy aquariums as much as traditional zoo exhibits.
Artis now also has a renewed Aquarium, so the comparison is no longer simply a choice between a zoo with an aquarium and a zoo without one. However, the two experiences are quite different. Artis focuses strongly on water, biodiversity, science, and storytelling, while the Oceanium forms a substantial marine environment within Blijdorp’s much larger zoo experience.
Animals and themed areas
Blijdorp has a wide range of animals and habitats. Visitors can see species including Asian elephants, giraffes, lions, rhinoceroses, red pandas, and Komodo dragons, alongside many birds, reptiles, fish, and smaller animals.
The zoo is organised into different areas that allow visitors to experience animals within broader geographical and ecological themes. This gives the visit a sense of travelling around the world without leaving Rotterdam.
For families, this variety can be a major advantage. There is always another area to discover, and children can experience very different animals and environments during the same visit.
Gardens and outdoor spaces
Blijdorp is not only about animal enclosures. The zoo also contains gardens and landscaped areas that create quieter moments between the larger exhibits.
The Japanese Garden is one of the best known examples. Seasonal changes can make the outdoor areas particularly attractive, while shaded paths and places to pause make it easier to spend several hours exploring the park.
Who should choose Blijdorp?
- Visitors who want to spend most of a day at the zoo
- Families looking for a large variety of animals and habitats
- Visitors who particularly enjoy aquariums and marine life
- Travellers who prefer a spacious zoo experience
- Visitors staying in Rotterdam
- People who enjoy exploring a zoo at a relaxed pace
If Blijdorp sounds like the better option for your trip, our complete guide to visiting Blijdorp Zoo covers the practical details you need before going.
Artis or Blijdorp: which zoo should you choose?
Choose Artis if you are visiting Amsterdam
If Amsterdam is already part of your itinerary, Artis is usually the simplest choice. You do not need to travel to another city simply to visit a zoo, and the zoo fits naturally into an Amsterdam sightseeing day.
It is particularly attractive when you want to combine animals with history, science, gardens, and other city attractions.
We would also choose Artis if you have only a few hours available. Its compact character makes it easier to fit into a busy Amsterdam itinerary.
Choose Blijdorp if the zoo is the main event
If you want the zoo itself to be the main activity, Blijdorp has the advantage. Its size, variety of habitats, and Oceanium give you plenty to explore.
It is therefore a strong choice for families who want a full day out or for visitors who enjoy spending several hours walking between different animal areas.
Which zoo is better for families?
Both zoos are good choices for families, but the better option depends on the age of your children and the kind of day you prefer.
For younger children or families with limited time, Artis can be easier because its compact setting makes the day more manageable. The Aquarium and Planetarium also provide indoor alternatives if children need a change from outdoor animal exhibits.
For families who enjoy a longer day with lots of different habitats to discover, Blijdorp may be more rewarding. The Oceanium is another strong attraction for children who love marine animals.
Which zoo is better for adults and couples?
For couples and adults, Artis has a particular advantage because of its setting. A visit can become part of a wider Amsterdam day, with restaurants, canals, museums, and neighbourhoods nearby.
Blijdorp is the better option when the zoo itself is the attraction. Its larger scale and themed habitats make it enjoyable for adults who want to spend several hours exploring wildlife rather than combining the visit with sightseeing.
Which zoo is better if you have limited time?
Choose Artis if you have only a few hours.
Choose Blijdorp if you can dedicate most of the day to the zoo.
This is one of the easiest ways to make the decision. Artis fits into an existing Amsterdam itinerary, while Blijdorp rewards visitors who give themselves enough time to explore.
Which zoo should you visit for an aquarium?
Both zoos now offer an important aquatic experience, but they are different.
At Artis, the renewed Aquarium is closely connected to the zoo’s wider focus on nature, science, biodiversity, and our relationship with water. At Blijdorp, the Oceanium is a major part of the larger wildlife park and offers an immersive journey through marine environments.
If marine animals and the feeling of being surrounded by underwater life are especially important to you, Blijdorp’s Oceanium is a compelling reason to choose Rotterdam.
If you prefer an aquarium experience combined with Artis’s historic setting and other science attractions, Amsterdam may be the better fit.
Which zoo is cheaper?
There is no single fixed answer because both zoos use date dependent ticket pricing.
At the time of writing, Artis adult tickets start at €29.50 online, while Blijdorp tickets start at €27.50. Prices can vary depending on the date and ticket type, so we recommend checking the official ticket pages before making a booking. ([artis.nl](https://www.artis.nl/en/plan-your-visit/ticket-prices?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
The ticket price should therefore not be the only reason to choose one zoo over the other. The cost of getting there, the time available, and what else you want to do that day can make a much bigger difference to the overall value.
Artis or Blijdorp: our verdict
There is no universal winner. Instead, the best zoo depends on the type of trip you are planning.
| If you want… | Our choice |
|---|---|
| A zoo during an Amsterdam city trip | Artis |
| A zoo during a Rotterdam city trip | Blijdorp |
| A compact visit | Artis |
| A full day at the zoo | Blijdorp |
| A historic city zoo | Artis |
| A larger themed zoo experience | Blijdorp |
| A renewed aquarium combined with science and culture | Artis |
| A major marine attraction with underwater viewing | Blijdorp |
| Combining the zoo with Amsterdam sightseeing | Artis |
| Making the zoo the main activity of the day | Blijdorp |
So, Artis is our choice for an Amsterdam city trip, while Blijdorp is our choice when we want a larger, dedicated zoo experience in Rotterdam.
What should you do next?
If you choose Artis
Our next recommendation is to read Visiting Artis Zoo For A Day in Amsterdam: A Complete Guide. It covers the practical details of planning your Artis visit and helps you get more from your day.
If you are spending more time in Amsterdam, you can also continue with our guide to hidden gems in Amsterdam. This is a good option if you want to discover less obvious places after visiting the zoo.
If you choose Blijdorp
Continue with our guide to visiting Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam. It is the natural next page if you have decided that Blijdorp is the better zoo for your trip.
If you want to explore more of the city afterwards, take a look at our guide to Rotterdam’s must see attractions.
If you are still deciding on your Dutch day trip
Your zoo choice may depend on which city you want to visit. If you are comparing Amsterdam with other Dutch destinations, our Volendam vs Zaandam day trip comparison can help you choose another option.
You can also compare two of the Netherlands’ most popular historic cities with our guide to Utrecht vs Haarlem.
And if you are interested in zoos beyond Artis and Blijdorp, our complete guide to the zoos in the Netherlands is the best place to continue exploring.
Our simple recommendation: choose Artis when Amsterdam is already part of your trip and you want a compact zoo experience combined with the city. Choose Blijdorp when you want to make the zoo a major part of your day and prefer a larger collection of habitats and a substantial marine experience.
