Basel Zoo (Zolli)

Basel Zoo, known to everyone in the city as the Zolli, opened in 1874 and is the oldest zoo in Switzerland. It lies right in the city, in the green valley of the Birsig a short walk from the main SBB railway station, and for generations it has been one of Basel's best-loved places for families. Despite its central location and compact size, around 11 hectares of parkland, it keeps a wide variety of animals, from elephants and big cats to penguins, reptiles and fish.

The Zolli has a strong reputation for its animal care and breeding programmes. It is particularly known for its success with gorillas and other great apes, Indian rhinoceroses, okapis and pygmy hippos, and it takes part in international breeding programmes for endangered species. Highlights include the Vivarium, with its aquariums and reptile terrariums, the Etoscha house devoted to the animals of the Namibian savanna, and Tembea, the spacious elephant park opened in 2017. Shady paths, ponds and old trees make it a pleasant place to stroll even between the enclosures.

The zoo is open every day of the year, and a visit fits easily into half a day. Combine it with a picnic in the grounds or a walk back into the old town, which is only a few minutes away. Weekends and school holidays bring the biggest crowds, so a weekday morning is the most relaxed time to go.