Artis, short for Natura Artis Magistra (Latin for "Nature is the teacher of the arts"), is a zoo in the centre of Amsterdam. It is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands and one of the oldest zoos of mainland Europe.
Next to possessing a zoo, Artis also contains an aquarium and a planetarium. Artis also has an arboretum and a fairly large art collection. A part of the art collection is on display in the Aquarium building of the zoo. Artis contains 27 monumental buildings, most of which are used as enclosures for the animals, making Artis a unique cultural heritage of the 19th century.
Visitor Info
Rating
★ 4.5 19,000 reviews
Visit Time
~180 min
Best Time
Spring and summer; weekday mornings for fewer crowds
Insider Tips
- · Book tickets online in advance, especially during school holidays.
- · The Aquarium building and Planetarium are included in admission — don't skip them.
- · Artis is one of the oldest zoos in Europe; the 19th-century architecture alone is worth the visit.
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