Zoo Antwerpen in Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium | Zoo

The Antwerp Zoo is one of the oldest and most famous zoos in the world. Its location - originally just outside the city walls, now an oasis of peace in the heart of the city, next door to Central Station - is typical of its nineteenth-century origins. You must set aside at least half a day for a visit because there really is so much to see and do. Penguins in Vriesland, elephants and giraffes in a unique Egyptian temple and a brand new pink villa for the hippos, and their neighbours, the tapirs. More than 6,000 animals await you here.
The Antwerp Zoo has developed an international reputation because of its participation in international breeding programmes for threatened species, such as the okapi, the bonobo, the Golden Lion Tamarin and the Congo peacock.
The Zoo is famous for its scientific research, for instance in Brazil, Congo and Cameroon and guarantees that the animals can spend their lives in the best possible conditions. The beautiful, distinctive buildings and garden have been classified and the Zoo has managed to combine nature and history with modern animal quarters. Depending on the season you can have a bite in one of the three restaurants, which serve a nice variety of dishes. But of course, there's nothing to stop you from having a picknick on a bench.