Overview
Dublin Zoo covers 28 hectares (69 acres) of Phoenix Park and holds more than 400 animals across around 70 species. It opened in 1831, which makes it one of the oldest zoos in the world, and it has spent the last two decades turning Victorian cages into large biogeographical habitats, from the sun-baked African Savanna to the shaded Himalayan Hills. Plan on at least three hours to get round it; a rushed hour is a waste of the ticket.
If you do just one thing, be at the African Savanna when the gates open at 9.30am, before the crowds and while the giraffes and rhino are still moving. The zoo keeps improving: the Rainforest House reopened in April 2026 after a long restoration, the Cottage Orné, the oldest entrance on the site, reopened that June, and an Animal Welfare Master Plan is steering the place towards its bicentennial in 2031. Over the summer of 2026, ‘Animal Bricktacular’ fills the grounds with more than 40 life-sized animal sculptures built from 3.5 million bricks (13 June to 30 August, included in admission).
What to See & Do
The zoo’s layout encourages a natural flow between exhibits, each designed to replicate the animals’ native ranges. Here’s where to focus your visit:
- African Savanna – Spanning 13 hectares, this open grassland hosts giraffes, Grant’s zebras, ostriches, scimitar-horned oryx, and a southern white rhino. Arrive early in the morning when the animals are most active.
- Kaziranga Forest Trail – Home to eleven Asian elephants, this area features waterfalls, mud wallows, and a breeding pair of blackbuck. The terrain is largely level and stroller-friendly.
- Gorilla Rainforest & Orangutan Forest – The gorilla enclosure uses dense planting to create private retreats for western-lowland gorillas. Nearby, the Orangutan Forest is five times larger than its predecessor, featuring towering trees and a spacious island habitat.
- Sea Lion Cove – A salt-water pool with an underwater viewing window and a daily keeper talk, usually around 2.30pm. Arrive ten minutes early for a spot at the glass.
- Himalayan Hills – Modelled on a Nepalese village, this cool, shaded corner keeps snow leopards and red pandas. The red pandas are the reliable crowd-pleaser.
- Family Farm – Ireland’s smallest working farm sits at the zoo’s heart, with Tamworth pigs, pygmy goats, lambs and a dairy cow milked daily. A playground and farmhouse school extend the hands-on side for younger children.
Additional highlights include Zoorassic World, the South American House and the World of Primates. Keeper talks run through the middle of the day on a fixed timetable, roughly 11.15am to 2.45pm, so check the board at the entrance and build your route around the ones you want.
History & Heritage
Dublin Zoo traces its origins to a proposal by physicians at the Rotunda Hospital in 1830, who envisioned a public garden for education and medical study. Officially opened as the Zoological Gardens Dublin on 1 September 1831, the original collection of 46 mammals and 72 birds was sourced from London Zoo and the Tower of London’s Royal Menagerie.
From the start, the zoo aimed for public accessibility. By reducing the Sunday entrance fee to one penny, it drew working-class families who might otherwise have been excluded. The collection grew steadily: the first giraffe arrived in 1844, the first lion cub was born in 1919, and the Reptile House opened in 1876. The zoo survived the Easter Rising in 1916 despite severe meat shortages, with keepers caring for animals through rationing.
Major expansions followed in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, including a 13-hectare government-funded extension in 1997 and a series of habitat redevelopments from 2001 to 2023. Notable recent milestones include the successful cataract surgery on hippo Imani in December 2025, and the passing of long-resident Bornean orangutan Sibu in February 2024 after 40 years at the zoo.
Conservation & Education
Dublin Zoo operates under a strict conservation mandate. It is an active member of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) and maintains international studbooks for the golden lion tamarin and Moluccan cockatoo. The National Centre for Species Survival, established in 2023, coordinates global biodiversity initiatives, including Asian elephant enrichment, western-lowland gorilla breeding, and scimitar-horned oryx re-introduction pilots.
The zoo supports over 30 international projects, ranging from anti-poaching patrols in Africa to habitat restoration across Southeast Asia. On-site, it cultivates more than 2,000 plant species to create authentic, climate-controlled environments.
Education extends beyond the grounds. Live webcams stream footage of the elephants, penguins, sea lions, and African Savanna. In partnership with the charity Chime, the zoo now offers Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreted keeper talks via QR codes, covering species like Asian lions, red pandas, and Humboldt penguins.
Practical Information
Opening hours – The zoo is open 363 days a year, closing only on Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day. Seasonal hours vary, with summer months running until 6:00 pm and winter months closing earlier. Last entry is typically one hour before closing.
Admission – Buying online saves up to 15%, around €4 an adult, so never just turn up and pay the gate price. Children under 3 are free, and a carer accompanying a visitor with additional needs gets in free with valid ID. Family tickets run from €62.50 online (2 adults + 2 children) up to larger groupings, and an annual pass (€125 individual / €185 family) also covers free entry to Fota Wildlife Park in Cork and to Edinburgh, Paignton, Colchester and Twycross zoos in Britain, subject to their terms.
Getting there
- Bus – Routes 11, 26, 37, 38, 38a, 39a, 60, 69, 70, 99, C5 and C6 serve the park and its perimeter. Route 99 is a circular Phoenix Park shuttle; hours vary, running roughly 7am to 7pm on weekdays and from about 10am at weekends.
- Train/Luas – The Luas Red Line to Heuston is the nearest stop, about a 20-minute walk through the park.
- Car – There is no dedicated zoo car park. Free Phoenix Park parking at Lord’s Walk (about 260 spaces, including disabled bays) and the Cricket Grounds (about 120 spaces) is a short walk from the entrance; North Road adds more, three to fifteen minutes away.
- Cycling – Flat, wide park paths suit bikes, with a Dublin Bikes station at Heuston and Phoenix Park Bikes hire on site.
Food & Facilities – The Meerkat Restaurant and Nakuru Café serve meals and snacks, with seasonal stalls during peak periods. Around 90% of the zoo is wheelchair accessible, wheelchairs can be hired on site, and large-print signage is provided throughout.
Booking – Advance online tickets are strongly recommended during school holidays and special events like Wild Lights. Groups of 10+ and educational parties should contact the Discovery & Learning team for tailored rates.
Nearby Attractions
Dublin Zoo sits inside Phoenix Park, one of the largest enclosed urban parks in Europe. It’s an easy day to combine with the rest of the park: the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre and the adjoining Ashtown Castle, the herd of fallow deer that has roamed the grounds since the 1660s, and the Wellington Monument are all within a walk or short cycle. Book zoo tickets online before you travel to lock in your entry time and dodge the queue at the gate.