Visiting Edinburgh Zoo
Spending a Day Visiting Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland © David Wheater. (Please note that the Giant Pandas left Edinburgh Zoo on 4th December, 2023).
This forward thinking and pioneering zoo opened its gates in 1913 and is located just three miles west of the city centre in the suburb of Corstorphine. It’s easy to get to by bus from the city centre (about 18min’s on Lothian buses 12, 26 or 31) ) and has an onsite car park. It’s open every day of the year, except Christmas Day.
There are over 2,500 different animals to see from all around the world. From delightful Meerkats and beautiful Red Pandas, to characterful Penguins and amazing Giraffes, there’s a whole world of natural wonder just waiting to be discovered, right here in Edinburgh.
Two of the zoo’s most famous animals are ‘Wotjek’ the Soldier Bear (Memorial statue in Princes St Gardens) and ‘Brigadier Sir Nils Olav’, the mascot and colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King’s Guard - a VIP - Very Important Penguin you can see today!
The Zoo's ever more important and urgent mission is ‘to save wildlife and empower people in Scotland and around the world to protect, value and love nature’. The charity has made a pledge ‘to reverse the decline of at least 50 species’ and to ‘create stronger connections with nature for more than a million people’.
The Zoo is spread over 82 acres of lovely parkland and is owned by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, a non-profit organisation. It’s the second most popular paid-for attraction in Scotland (after the Castle) and remains the only zoo in the UK to have koalas. Its patron is Princess Anne.
If you think you know what a ‘zoo’ is - it’s time to think again! With its unrelenting and laser-like focus on conservation, breeding programmes and education, coupled with an unwavering commitment to animal welfare, it is perhaps more correct to think of this zoo as a much needed ‘ark’, without which, the fragile light of animal and habitat conservation would greatly diminish, right around the globe. The Zoo ultimately aims to educate people on the fragility of the natural world and our collective responsibility to preserve and protect it and, ultimately, to fall completely in love with nature.
With increasing habitat destruction from an ever-growing world population and commercial exploitation (highly complex problems), we desperately need conservation charities, like this one, more than ever - but will it be enough to save the tiger, rhino or even the lion? Zoos will always have their critics, which can sometimes be a good check on welfare practices, but please never doubt the commitment and passion everybody at this zoo has for preserving, protecting and conserving wildlife, in every corner of the globe, for future generations.
The Zoo has an amazing Wild Genes Lab, which was recently involved in training scientists in Vietnam how to use rhino horn DNA tests, to help fight the illegal trade in rhino horn.
It’s thought that the number of rhinos being poached is close to outnumbering the ones being born, making it only a matter of time before this species becomes extinct. The sobering truth is that a lot of species, like the rhino, are now a great deal safer and protected in a zoo like Edinburgh than they are in the wild - and soon, if we don’t take the necessary action - zoos may be the only places we ever see them which would be desperately sad.
Highlights & Facilities
Penguins Rock - Europe’s largest outdoor penguin pool
The Budongo Trail - a pioneering habitat & home for Chimpanzees
Daily animal talk programme including Flamingos, Sun Bears and Chimpanzees
Fantastic range of ‘Keeper Experiences’ allowing you to get up close & personal with the animals (pre-book early at least 7 days in advance)
Animal adoption & Zoo membership options (great value!)
The Penguins Cafe, Grasslands Restaurant and The Gannet Fish Bar
Excellent gift & souvenir shop
Picnic & play areas for children
Ongoing events & talks throughout the year, including Photography Workshops
Wheelchair hire and dedicated Mobility Vehicle
Tickets & Opening Hours
Edinburgh Zoo is open all year round (except 25th December) and very easy to get to in Corstorphine. There is free admission for carers, disabled parking, wheelchair hire and an accessible route.
Opening Hours: April-Sept, 10am-6pm / Oct and Mar, 10am-5pm / Nov-Feb, 10am-4pm and closed on Christmas Day. Last admission is 1 hour before closing.
*Walk-Up Prices: Adults £24.25 / Children (3 - 15 yrs) £15.25 / Concession (65 yrs+) £22 / Children under 3 years old go free. Strongly recommended to buy online in advance and get a discount on these prices.
*(Without Donation Prices, correct as of 22 Jan 2024, and subject to change.
There is an online discount if you book via the website)
