Hagenbeck Zoo — Attraction in Hamburg

Tierpark Hagenbeck. Big zoo considering it is privately owned. 4.5 hours gave us enough time for the zoo, playground stop, and lunch at the flamingo pavilion.

Some positives: We enjoyed seeing the giraffes up close with the opportunity to feed them some leaves for a donation. We also appreciated the plethora of benches, garbage cans, and small food stands to get a drink or snack (even if many had the same things—all expensive—to offer). Ample shade and nice playground for the children, with well-manicured grounds. The signs on the enclosures were well-written and informative with details about the species.

Big negatives: the size of the pens, as the well-being of the animals is first and foremost. We felt terribly for the big cats (tigers and lions) as well as the bears (brown and polar) and some of the other large animals for having such small enclosures; this zoo is quite outdated in that aspect of animal welfare, considering this is Germany and not some backwards nation. The elephants were all inside when we saw them, with some demonstrating repetitive weaving behavior consistent with boredom. Most of the exhibits were simply too small and somewhat bare for their inhabitants. Heartbreaking to see. We hope they have much, much larger spaces to roam around in that are simply hidden away from the public. We were also extremely discouraged to see that smoking is allowed in the zoo, considering how many children and babies are in attendance, and second-hand smoke is a known carcinogen. At lunch, one of our meals did not arrive and we had to bring this to the waiter’s attention when it was time to pay the bill as it was still listed. Lastly, there was advertisement for fireworks at the zoo, which sounds awful for the animals living there. It really makes one ask whether this zoo truly cares about the animals in its care, or if their primary concern is to make money (high cost of entrance tickets, concessions, opportunities to feed animals—like elephants—without supervision, fireworks displays, etc.)

Would we return to this zoo? Maybe, but most likely not as we believe zoos should be a place of conservation and protection of its...

This zoo is placed in a big forrest in the city, which makes a visit very worthwhile. Beatuful nature and many cages are big and beautiful for the animals. There aren't really any speciel animals here, if you are used you other zoos in Europe, if not, there will be. It's the same as many others. But you can see them from others angles, is my take of it. There are many benches and many trashcan, which is nice. The park is clean and there are many toilets. The not so nice part of Hagenbeck Zoo is, that a lot of the park is still a bit old or very old. But that can change over the next few years. The workers in the ticket booth seemed sad. The service in the in-park souvenir shop was poor. Not able to understand english and she seemed unhappy about being there. All the informations in the whole park explaining the animals is in German. I believe Germany has moved on from only speaking German. The many big aquariums where green of algae.

But besides this, I would still recommend a visit. We did not buy anything to eat or drink in here today.

Tip. The parking house next to the zoo only takes cash and only €4. Visa or Mastercard did not work. And if you put in a €10, it gets rejected. There's a parking lot next to it. Half price, but you need cash as well. But this one accepts €10 and can give back. Only challenge is, that it's very small. Also have in mind, that Hamburg is one big mess of road work and traffic jams, so make sure to leave the city before 3PM or after 8PM. Else take the train. It took us almost 1 hour to get out of town. It was a nichtmare but normal...

Tierpark Hagenbeck is a true gem for nature and animal lovers. One of its most impressive features is the wide variety of species. From elephants to walruses to tropical birds, the diversity is truly remarkable. The spacious outdoor area is beautifully landscaped and easy to explore on foot, making it enjoyable for visitors of all ages. A real highlight is how close you can get to many of the animals. Whether feeding the elephants or watching monkeys move freely through their enclosures, the experience feels immersive and engaging.

The tropical aquarium, which can be visited with a combination ticket, offers an entirely different but equally fascinating atmosphere. Visitors walk through lush, warm environments filled with reptiles, exotic fish, and other tropical creatures. Although the combo ticket for both the zoo and the aquarium may seem expensive at first glance, it is definitely worth the price. You should plan to spend around eight hours if you want to enjoy both areas without rushing.

An interesting fact is that Tierpark Hagenbeck use open enclosures instead of cages. This concept continues to shape the experience today and contributes to a more natural and respectful way of presenting animals. Parking is also very convenient and reasonably priced. The adjacent garage charges only 4,- € for the entire day, which is a pleasant surprise in a major city like Hamburg.

Overall, Tierpark Hagenbeck offers a well-rounded and memorable experience that is perfect for families, tourists, or anyone with a love for animals and...