Located along the Aare River, Dählhölzli Zoo houses over 200 species with a strong focus on native Swiss and European wildlife – wolves, lynxes, beavers, owls and more. The park blends open habitats with forest paths, creating a near-natural environment for animals and visitors alike. With both free-access and ticketed areas, the zoo promotes ecological awareness and nature education for all ages.
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What is this place
The Dählhölzli Zoo is Bern’s municipal animal park on the River Aare, focused on European and northern fauna with a large tropical Vivarium. Founded in 1937, it forms Tierpark Bern together with the BärenPark.
Key features
- Open 365 days – 09:00–18:00 in summer, 09:00–17:00 in winter; ticket desk closes 30 minutes earlier.
- About 200+ species; highlights include wolves, Carpathian lynx, bison, moose, seals and exotics in the Vivarium.
- Papageitaucherhalle 2009 – puffin hall with an underwater viewing window and wind–wave microclimate.
- “Bern Reef” 2013 – a 40,000-litre coral tank with a ceramic artificial reef.
- Wolf–BärenWald 2012 – a forest habitat for brown bears with a bear-safe passage for neighbouring wolves.
What to see
- Papageitaucherhalle – watch puffins “fly” underwater and a rocky coastal scene.
- The Vivarium – tropical hall and aquaria, including the 40,000-litre Bern Reef.
- Northern zones along the Aare – moose, bison, wolves in large forested enclosures; Kinderzoo and a big woodland playground.
History
The idea of a city zoo took shape in the late 19th century; the present Dählhölzli site opened in 1937 on the Aare bank, first focusing on European species and later adding exotic Vivarium displays.
In the 21st century, new thematic zones arrived: the Papageitaucherhalle opened in 2009, followed by the 2013 Bern Reef. In 2012 the forested BärenWald with wolf access became a flagship habitat.
Today Tierpark Bern unites Dählhölzli and the BärenPark, advancing breeding and reintroduction work (e.g., Carpathian lynx) while planning phased site upgrades.
Practical information
Location: Tierparkweg 1, 3005 Bern – Dählhölzli forest on the River Aare.
Getting there: From Bern HB take bus 19 to Tierpark, then walk ~700 m via Thormannstrasse through the woods to the main gate; about 20 minutes on foot from the station.
Access: Main routes and the Vivarium are step-free; wheelchairs available at the cash desk against a CHF 50 deposit.
Visiting hours: 1 Mar–31 Oct 09:00–18:00; 1 Nov–end Feb 09:00–17:00; open daily; ticket desk closes 30 minutes earlier.
Visit duration: 2–3 hours for the highlights; up to half a day with the Vivarium and children’s area.
Best time: Weekday mornings; the Vivarium is ideal in bad weather; summer shade in the forest keeps it cooler.
Notes: Tickets – adults CHF 11, children 6–15 CHF 7, family CHF 28; parts of the Dählhölzli forest, Aare-side enclosures and the Kinderzoo are free; the BärenPark is free 24/7. A voluntary “Naturschutzfranken” CHF 1 (family CHF 4) is included – you may opt out at the desk.
