Hotels near Edinburgh Zoo, United Kingdom

Zebras, lions, koalas, cheetahs – Edinburgh Zoo has it all. Get close and witness the beauty of the animal kingdom.

Overview

Location: In the west of Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, on Corstorphine Hill. Accessible via car, train, bus and bike.

History: Thomas Gillespie, founder of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, opened Edinburgh Zoo in 1913. It remains one of only a few zoos with a Royal Charter in the UK.

Unique features: Edinburgh Zoo – spread across 82 acres – is home to over 2,500 animals and is the only place in the UK with three Queensland koalas.

Visitor highlights: From flamingos and chimpanzees to rhinos and giraffes, watch majestic animals eat, play and sleep.

Activities and experiences

Guided tours: Get close to at least four incredible animals and enjoy special access on the build-your-own Wild Experience tour. Tickets for the VIP experience cost £1,000 for adults / £500 for kids.

Events and programmes: Set your alarm for the Sunrise Safari, a one-hour tour that gives you the chance to find out more about the incredible animals living at the Zoo at dawn.

Interactive experiences: Book a Keeper Experience to really get close to your favourite animals. Learn about life as a zookeeper, feed animals and enjoy behind-the-scenes access.

Visitor information

Admission fees: An adult ticket will cost you £27.50 / child ticket (3-15 years old) £17.50 / full time students with ID and over 65s £24.50.

Facilities: The Zoo has two restaurants, one café and several kiosks offering a wide range of hot and cold food, snacks and drinks. There are multiple benches and picnic areas dotted around if you’re bringing food with you. Toilets are in multiple areas – just find a map to point you in the right direction. The car park is open to all visitors and costs £10 for the day.

Accessibility: Edinburgh Zoo aims to be as accessible as possible by providing sensory bags, free admission for carers, accessible routes for wheelchairs, hiring of manual wheelchairs and a free mobility vehicle service. Visit the website for full accessibility information.

Safety tips: To keep everyone safe, the Zoo does not allow ice cream sticks or glass items including wine and beer bottles.