What is Dublin Zoo?
Opened in 1831, Dublin Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world, set in Phoenix Park. It has around 400 animals in naturalistic habitats, including the African Savanna with giraffes and rhinos, the Kaziranga Forest Trail with Asian elephants, gorillas, red pandas and the restored historic Rainforest House.
Tickets
Online booking saves up to about 15%. Group and education tickets are booked through the zoo's team.
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How busy is Dublin Zoo?
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Go when it’s quiet: see live crowds and the hourly forecast.
Tips
- Book online to save money.
- Arrive at 9:30 am. Animals are most active in the morning.
- Check the closing time for your month: winter days are short.
- Look for keeper talks and feeding times at the entrance.
- Bring a rain jacket: it's mostly outdoors.
Mistakes to avoid
- Paying the gate price.
- Arriving at 3 pm in January, when last admission is around then.
- Visiting on a sunny Saturday in summer without arriving at opening.
What to see
Founded in 1831, Dublin Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in the world, set over about 28 hectares in Phoenix Park. It's home to around 400 animals, in habitats grouped by region.
- African Savanna: giraffes, zebras, ostriches and rhinos in a large mixed habitat.
- Kaziranga Forest Trail: the Asian elephant herd, with a pool and forest paths.
- Gorilla Rainforest: western lowland gorillas on an island habitat.
- Orangutan Forest: Sumatran orangutans in tall trees.
- Sea Lion Cove: California sea lions, with underwater viewing.
- Family Farm: farm animals for younger children.
- Keeper talks: check the daily timetable at the entrance.
Wild Lights
In winter, Dublin Zoo runs Wild Lights, an evening trail of giant illuminated lanterns. It's a separate ticket, very popular in November and December, with timed slots that sell out on weekends. Day visits aren't affected, but the zoo closes earlier to daytime visitors on those days.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings during the school term are quietest. Animals are most active early in the day and at feeding times. Sunny weekends and the Irish school holidays (especially summer, Halloween and Easter) bring big crowds, and the car parks fill by late morning. Rainy weekdays are surprisingly pleasant: the indoor houses and covered areas keep you dry, and the paths are almost empty.
Crowds by day and time
From the typical weekly visitor pattern for Dublin Zoo, based on Google’s popular-times data.
Quietest time
Thursday, 9-11 am
Busiest time
Sunday, 11 am-5 pm
Combining it with Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park, one of the largest enclosed parks in any European capital, surrounds the zoo. After your visit, look for the wild fallow deer herd near the Papal Cross, see the Wellington Monument, or visit Farmleigh House and Áras an Uachtaráin, the Irish president's residence, on a free tour (check days). Bikes can be rented at the park's main gate.
With children
Dublin Zoo is designed for families, with buggy-friendly paths, playgrounds, picnic areas, the Family Farm and keeper talks pitched at children. Under-3s are free, and online tickets save money. Bring rain gear in any season. The zoo is large, so plan a route around two or three favourite animals and the talks rather than trying to see everything.
Is Dublin Zoo worth it?
Yes for families: it's well designed, set in one of Europe's largest city parks, and great value booked online. Combine it with a walk or bike ride in Phoenix Park.
FAQs
How much is Dublin Zoo?
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€22.50 for adults online (€26.50 at the gate) and €17 for children online. Under 3s are free.
What are Dublin Zoo's opening hours?
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From 9:30 am, closing around 6 pm in summer and earlier in winter. Last admission is an hour before closing.
Is there parking at Dublin Zoo?
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Yes, free parking in Phoenix Park.
How long do you need at Dublin Zoo?
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3-4 hours.
What's the best time to visit?
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Weekday mornings in term time. Check our live crowd tracker for your date.
Heading to Dublin Zoo?
See how busy it is right now and the quietest hours for your date, then walk in when the line is short.
Check live crowds →Sources
How we research: every guide is written by the BeatTheCrowd team from official sources and recent traveller reports, cross-checked against each other, and dated so you know how fresh it is. Last checked 29 October 2026. Prices and rules change, so always confirm on the official site before you book.
