Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo is a world-renowned family attraction, conservation and breeding centre. The penguin is the emblem of Edinburgh Zoo because it was the world’s first zoo to house and breed them.

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo is the most extensive and exciting wildlife attraction in Scotland, located on a hillside in 82 acres of parkland on the outskirts of the capital offering extensive views of the city. A day out at Edinburgh Zoo offers guests a fascinating and fun insight into one of Europe’s premier centres of animal conservation, education and research.

Attractions at Edinburgh Zoo

Founded on Corstorphine Hill in 1913, Edinburgh Zoo welcomes over 650,000 visitors a year. As well as the breeding of endangered species, the enticing family attraction where penguins first went on show in January 1914 has a wide range of animals for you to discover.

Penguins at Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo became the world’s first zoo to house and breed penguins after Christian Salvesen’s whaling expedition docked in Leith in January 1913 with three king penguins. They subsequently had the first successful hatching of a king penguin chick in 1919. These were the first penguins ever to be seen anywhere outside of the South Atlantic, and Edinburgh Zoo has pioneered the care and science of penguins ever since. This is why the king penguin is featured on the zoos logo.

Monkeys

Don’t miss the titi monkeys, gelada baboons and the star-turn of the primate section, a large group of inquisitive and playful Chimpanzees, who regularly entertain their human cousins, especially at feeding time. Their antics amid the climbing frames and vegetation are just the ticket for a fun family day out.

Horticultural Heritage

Edinburgh Zoo has a rich horticultural heritage. Before its inception in 1913, the site was a nursery, once owned by Thomas Blaikie, who planted many of the great French parks such as ‘La Bagatelle’. It was on this site that two nurserymen raised the famous apple cultivars ‘John Downie’ and ‘James Grieve’.

Edinburgh Zoo inherited one of the most diverse tree collections in the Lothians with some 120 species. The unique south-facing aspect offers a micro-climate that allows bananas to grow, although they do get wrapped up in winter. Increasingly, Zoo horticulture is seen as a discipline in its own right, with the focus on habitat creation within enclosures, foodstuffs for the animals, and enrichment for both the animals and the visiting public. The gardens team aims to provide interesting displays throughout the year, from summer tubs with Regal and scented pelargoniums to winter displays of alpines.

Admission Prices and Offers

You can purchase tickets in advance from the official website and also keep an eye on our offers page for great savings on Edinburgh Zoo Tickets.

Travelling to Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo is situated three miles to the west of Edinburgh city centre on the south-facing slopes of Corstorphine Hill, from which it provides extensive views of the city. The zoo has its own on-site car park and there are also parking spaces within the vicinity of the zoo but please note these spaces are limited due to the residential nature of the zoo’s location.

Travelling by Train

If you are travelling by train, there are two stations in the city centre, Edinburgh Waverley Station and Edinburgh Haymarket Station. Train timetables and ticket information are available from the ScotRail website. From Waverley and Haymarket stations, it is a short bus ride to Edinburgh Zoo.

Alternatively, if you are coming from further afield please see the National Rail website for timetables and ticket information.

Search for your train tickets using Raileasy.

Travelling by Bus

Edinburgh Zoo can be easily accessed via public transport with high-frequency bus services from Edinburgh city centre. The 100 Airlink Service also stops regularly outside the front entrance and operates between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre.

Nearby Accommodation

Check our dedicated accommodation page for more ideas on places to stay or view self-catering cottages available from Snaptrip.

Attractions Near Me Offers

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