Antwerp Zoo (ZOO Antwerpen) was established on 21 July 1843, making it the oldest animal park in Belgium and one of the oldest zoos anywhere. Its location could hardly be more dramatic: the ornate entrance sits directly beside Antwerpen-Centraal, the cathedral-like railway station in the middle of the city.
From a plot of less than 1.6 hectares, the zoo grew through the 19th century to more than 10.5 hectares of gardens, grand animal houses and modern enclosures — earning its place high on the list of the oldest zoos in the world.
Key Stats
| Opened | 21 July 1843 |
| Location | Antwerp, Belgium (next to Antwerpen-Centraal station) |
| Animals | About 5,000 animals of roughly 950 species |
| Area | More than 10.5 hectares (26 acres) |
| Annual visitors | About 1.1 million |
A Living Architecture Museum
Antwerp Zoo’s 19th-century building boom left it with some of the most remarkable zoo architecture in Europe. The Egyptian temple of 1856, decorated with hieroglyph-style friezes, still houses animals today, while the Moorish-style antelope building of 1861 is now home to the zoo’s famous okapis — a species Antwerp has bred with world-leading success. The zoo also served a cultural role from the start, hosting concerts in its gardens.
Nearly Two Centuries in the City Centre
Run by the Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp, the zoo today keeps about 5,000 animals of roughly 950 species and welcomes around 1.1 million visitors a year. Its compact city-centre footprint means the collection is dense and walkable: within a few minutes you can move from historic monkey houses to modern aviaries and back out onto Koningin Astridplein.
Explore more: Explore more zoos and aquariums.
Antwerp Zoo FAQs
When did Antwerp Zoo open?
Antwerp Zoo was established on 21 July 1843, making it the oldest animal park in Belgium and one of the oldest zoos in the world.
Where is Antwerp Zoo located?
Right in the centre of Antwerp, immediately next to Antwerpen-Centraal railway station on Koningin Astridplein.
What is Antwerp Zoo famous for?
Its historic architecture — including an Egyptian temple from 1856 — and its world-renowned okapi breeding programme, alongside about 5,000 animals of 950 species.
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Photo: DRG-fan / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.