Hello everyone,
During my time in Pilsen, I’ve been trying to explore what the city has to offer beyond the bars and trams. So far, one of the more unexpected places I’ve visited (twice!) is the Pilsen Zoo, tucked away in what feels like a mini mountain park on the edge of town.
Welcome to the jungle !
A Zoo in the Hills
What’s unique about this zoo is its location built on a hillside, it turns your visit into a gradual climb through animal habitats, exotic trees, and botanical corners. It’s not just animals you’re walking past, you’ll also come across a Japanese garden, small ponds, and a section entirely dedicated to plants, fungi, and medicinal herbs. It’s a mix of nature, science, and storytelling.
Even though it’s not huge, the zoo is expanding, with visible construction areas and signs of development throughout. The surrounding park makes the approach to the zoo genuinely pleasant, birds singing, trees everywhere, and even the occasional free-roaming wallaby (no joke).
Animals From Everywhere (and Lots of Wallabies)
You’ll find species from pretty much every continent, giraffes, reptiles, kangaroos, meerkats, and a surprising number of wallabies that seem to have taken over a whole section. Fun fact: you can even spot some of them outside the zoo on your way up. Who needs a ticket?
And once you reach the top of the zoo, you’re rewarded with a great panoramic view over Pilsen. A peaceful moment after the uphill walk.
DinoPark: A Prehistoric Detour
Inside the zoo, there’s a whole DinoPark with life-size dinosaur models, interactive exhibits, and educational games for kids. The models are built to nearly accurate scale, which makes them pretty impressive up close. Each dino comes with detailed info panels, so you don’t just look, you actually learn. Oh, and their roars echo across the zoo, which can be both funny and confusing when you’re near the penguins !
Wolves, Bears... and Construction
A bit of a letdown. Both times I visited, the wolf and bear areas were closed. Since the zoo is open year-round, even on holidays, some enclosures get closed for maintenance. During my last visit, I even caught a group of poor penguins getting surprised by a construction crew, definitely not the most peaceful morning for them.
Final Thoughts
The Pilsen Zoo is more than a place to see animals, it’s a walk through foreign ecosystems, rare plants, and even the dinosaur era. It’s educational, green, and a surprisingly relaxing way to spend the day.