Founded in 1838, Artis is one of Europe's oldest zoos. Its 14 leafy hectares are home to over 750 animal species, from lions, jaguars, elephants and giraffes to sealions, golden-cheeked gibbons, iguanas, flamingos and cassowaries. There's a reptile house, several aviaries, and an aquarium (undergoing renovations at the time of writing). The butterfly pavilion has more than a thousand flittering creatures. You can journey through the solar system and Milky Way at the 324-seat planetarium (included in zoo admission).
Cafes are located throughout the grounds.
Two other museums are located here, with combination tickets available. Micropia provides an often-uncomfortably close-up look at microorganisms, such as bacteria, green algae, tardigrades, viruses and colonies of organisms that live on and in your own body. The Groote Museum highlights the connection between humans and other lifeforms. Each of its 14 interconnected zones focuses on a different part of the human body; you'll discover, for instance, how your vocal chords produce sound and the difference between your voice and that of a chimpanzee.
