Sofia Zoo — Attraction in Sofia City

0 Stars – A Tragic, Shameful Excuse for a Zoo

Sofia Zoo is not just disappointing — it’s disturbing. It fails the animals, the visitors, and the entire purpose of a zoo: conservation, education, and the humane care of wildlife.

A proper zoo should provide environments where animals can express natural behaviors and live in dignity. Instead, Sofia Zoo offers tiny, barren cages, miserable conditions, and clear neglect.

Many enclosures were shockingly small. An alligator was confined to a cramped glass tank barely a few meters long, even though the sign said the species can grow up to six meters. Large cats sat silently in small concrete cages with no shade, stimulation, or space to move. The animals looked visibly stressed and defeated.

Rotten meat was thrown into the cages of animals like meerkats — which aren’t even carnivores. Was it food? Decoration? Trash? Whatever the reason, it was disgusting and unprofessional.

The reptile house was another disaster. Cages lacked any proper environmental control. No visible heating or humidity regulation according to the species’ needs. As a result, reptiles were crowding the glass, clearly trying to thermoregulate — a clear sign of improper conditions, as anyone with basic reptile knowledge would know.

The aquarium section felt unsafe, with tanks that appeared open or poorly sealed. There were no staff around and little protection between visitors and the animals.

The park was dirty and chaotic. Glass enclosures were smeared with grime. Trash was scattered everywhere. There were construction zones where workers stood around doing nothing, while other staff literally slept on benches under trees.

Although maps were posted inside the park, no leaflet or guide was provided at the entrance. You're left to wander aimlessly. The entrance itself looked like a long-abandoned metro station.

The toilets were absolutely vile — filthy and unusable. And just outside, the janitor sat idly doing nothing. That summed up the whole atmosphere: apathetic, unmotivated, and neglectful.

I paid €5 for entry, and it wasn’t even worth that. I couldn’t finish the visit — I was so disgusted I left early.

This zoo doesn’t just need improvement — it needs urgent intervention. The animals deserve better. Visitors deserve better. Sofia Zoo should be shut down, investigated, and completely restructured.

Avoid this place at all costs. It’s not a zoo....

Sofia Zoo is a large and diverse zoo, home to a wide variety of animals. The expansive grounds provide a spacious and enjoyable environment for visitors to explore. One of the standout features of Sofia Zoo is the impressive range of animal species on display. From big cats to exotic birds, the zoo offers a comprehensive look at wildlife from around the world, making it a fascinating experience for animal lovers of all ages.

The size of the zoo is another significant advantage. The spacious layout means that even on busy days, it doesn't feel crowded, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable visit. Additionally, the cost of admission is very affordable, making it accessible for families and individuals looking for an economical day out.

However, there are a few areas where Sofia Zoo could improve. The cleanliness of the zoo did not meet my expectations. Some areas appeared to be less well-maintained than one would hope for in a zoological park. Ensuring a cleaner environment would greatly enhance the overall visitor experience. Another downside is the absence of giraffes, which is a disappointment for those who were looking forward to seeing these majestic animals.

Despite these drawbacks, Sofia Zoo offers a pleasant and educational outing with its variety of animals and spacious setting. With some improvements in maintenance and the addition of more popular species like giraffes, it has the potential to become an even more attractive destination for both locals and tourists. The combination of diverse wildlife, ample space, and low admission cost makes it a recommended spot for a day of family fun and...

!!Don't ever go!! Worst zoo ever!! Me and my family went home crying as it was very disturbing.

Animals are so so so depressed, which you can't blame them for, if you take a look at their small cages. These cages by the way look like they haven't been renewed since the 1950's.

The lions were crying, the rhino walked back & forth and the elephants too were making loops. The smell in the indoor part (where the reptiles and smaller animals are being kept) was absolutely disgusting.

The birds had such small cages that they couldn't even fly!! Birds!! Birds who are destined to fly and be free. I have no words. Felt ashamed of visiting.

We went to visit because of my little brother who wanted te see the animals in Bulgaria. He went home crying. He is 11 years old and even feels more for these animals in poorly constructed cages then the staff who are working there. That is super sad. They were also (if you could see a staff member) rude.

If anyone who has a saying in this zoo is reading this, I want you to think about this, think about the depressed animals, the unbearable conditions and the way too cheap entrance fee, which is where it all starts. Ask normal prices and rebuild or close, just close. Animals have rights. And important ones.

If anyone who wants to visit in the future is reading this, I can only warn you, if you have your heart in the right place, you will leave this zoo with a broken one.

Someone should read these sad reviews & make a change. If only I could make a difference, I would for sure... I also didn't take any pictures because of the shock I was in during the whole hour or so we...