A trip to the Netherlands is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people.
In addition to its many interesting cities, almost every one has its share of aquariums and zoos.
Every year, millions of locals and tourists flock to the country’s many zoos, aquariums, or both.
No matter how old you are, there is something you can learn by making these attractions a part of your visit.
With so much to see and do in the Netherlands, many visitors enjoy taking a leisurely break by exploring a local zoo or aquarium for the day.
So, what are you waiting for?
Contents
10 Best Zoos & Aquariums in The Netherlands
1. Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen
The species of animals you will find at the Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen are mammals, reptiles, birds, fish, and amphibians.
These animals come from every continent in the world.
Some of the most popular animals the zoo has included a giant panda, a brown bear, an African lion, an orangutan, an African elephant, and a giraffe, among others.
Your zoo experience should also include at least one of the fun activities offered.
Bamboo Bill runs a musical show that’s fun for the whole family.
And outside of Showtime, you may find him roaming the park.
If you come across him, be sure to ask him about that day’s adventure.
Another highlight of a visit to this zoo is its sea lion show.
Each performance runs for about 20 minutes, so this is a great time to take a breather and let the sea lions show off for you.
And before you leave for the day, consider “adopting” one of the zoo’s residents.
Your donations go to ensure each animal receives the best possible care from the zoo staff.
2. Dolfinarium
It may only be open during the spring and summer, but the Dolfinarium is a popular attraction in the Netherlands.
The animals that you’ll find here are dolphins, walruses, Harbour porpoises, California and Stellar sea lions, common and gray seals, and fish, rays, and sharks.
You’ll have an opportunity to get closer to some of these animals on your visit.
If you want to learn more about a specific animal, be sure to attend one of the animal presentations.
Your choices are The Big Whiskers ( a show about walruses,) Dolphin Delta, Sharks and Rays, Little Dolphin, Sterk Werk (about the Stellar sea lions,) Seals, Oceanica ( a dolphin performance,), and Slim Werk.
The Dolfinarium even has a water park you can visit during the summer.
The park is perfect for the whole family and includes a total of seven slides.
For some fun outside of the water, there are four playgrounds for the kids.
3. Royal Burgers’ Zoo
Chances are you’ve never seen a zoo quite like Royal Burgers’ Zoo.
It has everything from a desert to an indoor jungle.
Its eco-displays allow the animals to live in their natural habitats.
There is even a tropical rainforest called The Bush.
Other unique parts of this zoo include the Ocean, the Safari, and the Rimba.
To learn more about the zoo and the animals in it, be sure to schedule a guided tour in advance.
These family-friendly tours are led by a zoo staff member.
You’ll likely get to see some of the zoo’s eco-displays and get a close-up glimpse at how the various types of animals live in the zoo.
If you have a special request for a part of the zoo you want to see, you’ll have to let them know when you make your reservations.
They may or may not be able to honor them, but it never hurts to try.
4. Wildlands Adventure Zoo
The Wildlands Adventure Zoo is an attraction like no other.
It combines the best of the outdoors with a fun and even educational experience.
The areas of the park you’ll want to see are the polar region, jungle, and savannah.
The polar region is called the Nortica.
It’s a 4D attraction where you will see polar bears and families of penguins.
You will also experience a virtual flight where you pass icebergs.
But don’t overlook the appeal of also heading to the Norticatheater to take in the zoo’s sea lion show.
The Jungle area of the zoo is called Jungola.
To see it you’ll board a boat that takes you down the Rimbula River.
Along the way, you will see elephants and you may even catch them taking a bath in the river water.
But this island cruise also includes glimpses of gibbons, spider monkeys, tropical birds, and ring-tailed lemurs.
If you want a break from the action, make your way to the jungle theater.
There you will be entertained by stories from Jim, a bird connoisseur who crashed into the jungle.
The show also includes any animals Jim sees fit to bring with him.
5. Aqua Zoo
The Aqua Zoo Leeuwarden houses a collection of animals that include amphibians, underwater animals, reptiles, a bird kingdom, and mammals.
There are quite a few shows worth seeing on your visit to this zoo.
Regularly held programs are the Penguin Feeding Presentation, Polar Bear Inspection, and Raccoons, Skunks, Red Pandas, and Small-Clawed Otters.
Aqua Zoo Leeuwarden is the only one in the Netherlands that conducts a panda bear inspection you can watch.
This involves the zoo staff checking the pandas over to ensure that they are healthy.
The Raccoons, Skunks, Red Pandas, and Small-Clawed Otters program gives you the chance to watch these animals get fed.
6. Sea Life Scheveningen
There are more than 45 tanks of animals to see at Sea Life Scheveningen including cod, starfish, and stingrays.
This attraction also has a tropical rainforest called Amazonia.
You’ll see the animals that typically live in the Amazon River. Highlights include the 18,000-liter water tunnels.
The Sea Life Scheveningen is located near the beach.
Because of this, the aquarium runs a beach clean-up crew that visitors of all ages can volunteer to participate in.
This is part of the aquarium’s commitment to the conservation and protection of the aquatic animals of the Netherlands.
7. Ecomare
Ecomare is more than just an aquarium.
It is also a sanctuary for seals and birds.
Of special interest to this attraction are the North and Wadden Seas.
Ecomare has a rich history, have started as a stuffed bird museum.
The museum was open to the public and in addition to its stuffed birds, it also had archaeological finds, including shells.
In 1952, Ecomare welcomed its first seals, the animal the attraction is now the most famous for.
The outdoor pool area is where the seals now call home.
You’ll have an opportunity to view those seals through a huge window and watch them in their natural underwater habitat.
Of the many pools, one is deeper than the rest.
This was done so that the grey seals had room to go diving.
Some of the other pools are specifically reserved for seals who have the strength to regain.
There is also an underground sea aquarium, where you’ll find starfish, jellyfish, and crustaceans, among others.
The fish habitats help you learn which ones live in the harbor, and which prefer the open sea.
8. Gaia Zoo
The Gaia Zoo is home to 150 species of animals.
Many of these animals are ones that most people have not heard of and most zoos don’t have.
Examples include the capybara, Glutton, Chinese merganser, and Muntjak, the shelduck, and Chaco chachalaca.
This zoo is made up of a few habitats, including Limburg, Taiga, Savannah, and Rainforest.
The Limburg is billed as “the heart of the zoo.”
This is the gateway to the zoo’s other habitats.
In Limburg, you will find pigs, donkeys, and goats, as well as other animals.
Taiga is the zoo’s wooded area and is where you will find raccoons and red pandas.
Savannah is where you will find African animals, including the meerkat, lions, and white rhinoceros.
The rainforest habitat is where you will find the Western Lowland Gorilla and the Bolivian squirrel monkey.
9. Berkenhof Tropical Zoo
The Berkenhof Tropical Zoo has so much to do, you may need more than a day to do it.
Most of the activities and attractions are kid friendly.
Its mini jungle is a great place for kids to spot parrots of all colors, monkeys, and even chameleons.
And the outdoor play forest is perfect for adults and kids.
For the kids, there is a wooden playground and for the adults, there is a relaxing garden terrace.
Take the family to the Miner’s Hut, where kids can participate in a search for treasure.
They could find gemstones and minerals like Rose Quartz, Agate, Tiger Eye, and more.
The included gemstone map makes it easy to identify each gemstone they find.
Closely related to this is the Fossil Mine.
In its underground tunnel are display cases with fossils like shark teeth.
The Natural Attic is also worth exploring.
It includes everything from stuffed animals to skulls and skeletons.
Continue the educational experience by attending the zoo’s Nature Class.
Run by zookeepers, attendees can hold the animals they are learning about at that moment.
This includes lizards, snakes, and spiders.
10. Best Zoo
The Best Zoo is a smaller park, perfect for a quick visit with young kids.
It includes mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Some of the mammals you’ll find here include the brown-headed spider monkey, a Hungarian wool pig, and a Parma Wallaby.
The zoo has birds like Chinese Cranes, the Indian running duck, and a peacock pheasant.
The indoor attractions at this zoo include multiple aquariums, an enclosure for the giraffes, and a butterfly garden.
10 Best Zoos & Aquariums in The Netherlands – Summary Table
| Zoos & Aquariums | Address |
|---|---|
| Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen | Grebbeweg 111, 3911 AV Rhenen, Netherlands |
| Dolfinarium | Zuiderzeeboulevard 22, 3841 WB Harderwijk, Netherlands |
| Royal Burgers' Zoo | Antoon van Hooffplein 1, 6816 SH Arnhem, Netherlands |
| Wildlands Adventure Zoo | Raadhuisplein 99, 7811 AP Emmen, Netherlands |
| Aqua Zoo | De Groene Ster 2, 8926 XE Leeuwarden, Netherlands |
| Sea Life Scheveningen | Strandweg 13, 2586 JK Den Haag, Netherlands |
| Ecomare | Ruijslaan 92, 1796 AZ De Koog, Netherlands |
| Gaia Zoo | Gaiaboulevard 1, 6468 PH Kerkrade, Netherlands |
| Berkenhof Tropical Zoo | Langeweegje 10-A, 4434 NE Kwadendamme, Netherlands |
| Best Zoo | Broekdijk 15, 5681 PG Best, Netherlands |
Netherlands Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Netherlands Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen show any contests I can participate in?
As a matter of fact, Ouwehands Zoo Rhenen runs a photo contest every month.
All you have to do is snap a photo of your favorite animal and share it online.
If your photo gets the most votes, it is featured on the zoo’s website and you’ll be sent two free tickets for your next visit.
Does the Wildlands Zoo have wifi I can use during my visit?
Yes, there is public wifi available for all paying guests.
No password is needed.
Can I bring my pet to Burger's Zoo?
No, it is not safe to bring pets into the zoo.
The only exception to the rule is guide dogs.
Do I need a reservation to attend a show at the Dolfinarium?
No, there are no reservations for shows.
However, if you want to see Oceanica tokens are given on a first come first serve basis to get you into the show.
A trip to the Netherlands offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit some of the best zoos and aquariums, where you can learn about various species from around the world while enjoying fun activities for all ages.