With views of Kalemegdan Park and the city fortress, Belgrade Zoo is a scenic and fascinating spot to see a diverse array of animals. The comprehensive complex has about 2,000 animals in an area covering 17 acres (7 hectares). Learn about some of nature’s most majestic creatures via the informative plaques decorating their enclosures.
Note that many of the animals are white, including white lions, white tigers, polar bears and albino wallabies. Former owner Vuk Bojović wanted to honor Belgrade, whose name means White City. Animals here are lauded for their personality and feats, such as an escape artist chimpanzee and a dog that saved a guard from a jaguar.
Look for your personal favorites, including Amur tigers, black leopards, arctic wolves and the red kangaroo. Fawn over meerkats and seals. Other highlights include the brown bear, the Balkan lynx and the puma. See the statue of Sami, a chimpanzee who resided here in the 1980s and escaped multiple times.
The zoo has many tropical birds and birds of prey. Gaze up at the griffon vulture and the golden eagle. Browse the reptile exhibit to see crocodiles, pythons and chameleons. Take the kids to look at the eerie scorpions, tarantulas and stick insects in their enclosures.
Speak with the guides about the zoo’s vulnerable species, such as the cheetah, the Brazilian tapir and the white-throated toucan. The zoo is among Europe’s oldest, dating back to 1936. It was bombed during World War II, killing most of the animals.
Arrive at the zoo on any day from morning until evening year-round. Purchase tickets, which are discounted for students and children.
Belgrade Zoo is near the southern banks of the River Danube in the central part of the city. Access the zoo, which is in the heart of Kalemegdan Park, with a tram ride to the stops of Tadeuša Košćuka or Beko. Nearby attractions include the Ružica church, the old Turkish Bath Hamam and the Belgrade Fortress.
