Berliner Zoo & Aquarium

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Lonely Planet review

The Zoologischer Garten is Germany's oldest zoo. It is located in the southwest corner of the Tiergarten, Berlin's green lung, which began life as a hunting ground for the Great Elector, Friedrich Wilhelm (who ruled from 1640-88) and was turned into a park in the 18th century. Around 14,000 animals representing 1500 species roam the grounds.

When it opened in 1844, the zoo was mainly stocked with the king's pheasants. These days, a menagerie of 14,000 has turned the Zoologischer Garten into the most diverse zoo in the world. The collection includes cheeky orang-utans, endangered rhinos, playful penguins and such classics as giraffes, zebras and elephants. Bao Bao, a rare giant panda donated by China, enjoys celebrity status among zoo connoisseurs.

The adjacent aquarium is also worth a visit with three floors of fish, amphibians, insects and reptiles, including the famous crocodile hall. Elsewhere you can commune with poison frogs, watch slithering octopuses or meet a real-life 'Nemo' in the clownfish tank.