A Family-Friendly Wildlife Adventure in the Heart of Gdańsk’s Oliwa District and Home to the World’s Only Albino African Penguin 

While exploring Gdańsk, we knew the zoo would be on our bucket list. You can find Gdańsk Zoo in the Oliwa district, allowing you to observe a diverse array of animal species within a sprawling 123.7-hectare area. Established in 1954, it is the largest zoo in Poland by area and houses over 1,100 animals representing approximately 193 species. The zoo is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), reflecting its commitment to animal conservation and education. In this blog post, you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit to Gdańsk Zoo, from practical details like ticket prices and opening hours to highlights of the zoo’s must-see animals, fun facts about its most famous residents (yes, the albino penguin), and tips to make the most of your wildlife adventure in northern Poland.

How to Get to Gdańsk Zoo from the City Center

📍 Adress: ul. Karwieńska 3, 80-328 Gdańsk – Oliwa, Poland

Whether staying in the historic city center or arriving from another part of the Tricity area, getting to the zoo is easy and convenient, and you have several options for reaching it.

By Public Transport. This was how we got to the zoo. It is also the most popular and eco-friendly way to reach it. One of the quickest routes combines the local SKM train and bus line 179. From Gdańsk Główny station, hop on a train to Gdańsk Oliwa. The ride takes around 15 minutes. From there, transfer to bus 179, heading directly to the stop “Oliwa ZOO,” which drops you just a short waddle from the entrance.

If you’d prefer to skip the train, you can take bus 179 directly from Dworzec Główny (Main Railway Station). The direct bus ride takes about 45 minutes, depending on traffic, and offers a scenic view of the city’s greener neighborhoods.

Another option is combining tram lines 6 or 12 with bus 179. Ride the tram to the Oliwa district, then switch to bus 179. This can be a good choice if you explore the Oliwa Park or Cathedral before visiting the zoo.

Buying Public Transport Tickets

Tickets are available at most stops via ticket machines, which accept coins and cards. You can also buy them in kiosks around the city. Some buses and trams have on-board machines, but you’ll need exact change. Always remember to validate your ticket once you board; inspectors check it.

You can also download apps like  Jakdojade (available in  GooglePlay as well as AppStore) or ZTM Gdańsk to plan your journey in real-time and buy digital tickets.

For our whole stay in Gdańsk, we used Jakdojade, and it was easy to navigate and buy tickets.

By Car. If you’re driving, set your GPS to ul. Karwieńska 3. The route from the city center takes about 20–25 minutes, depending on traffic. The zoo has a large paid parking lot about 300 meters from the main gate. Parking costs 7 PLN per hour or 30 PLN for a full day, payable by cash, card, or the APCOA FLOW app.

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Gdańsk Zoo welcomes visitors year-round, though its opening hours vary by season. The zoo opens daily at 9:00 AM and closes at 7:00 PM from April to September. During the colder months, from October to March, it shortens its hours and closes at 3:00 PM while opening at 9:00 AM. It’s important to note that the ticket office closes one hour before the zoo, so plan to arrive on time.

Tickets to Gdańsk Zoo

Ticket prices vary by season:

April to September

• • Regular: 45 PLN
  • Discounted*: 35 PLN
  • Family (up to 5 people with at least two children under 18): 140 PLN
  • Group (minimum 10 people): 30 PLN per person, plus one free ticket
  • Penguins: free entry

November to March

• • Regular: 30 PLN
  • Discounted*: 20 PLN
  • Family: 90 PLN
  • Group: 15 PLN per person, plus one free ticket
  • Penguins: free entry

*Discounted tickets are available for children aged 3–7, students up to 26 years old, retirees, pensioners, veterans, and individuals with disabilities upon presentation of appropriate identification. Children under 3 years old, individuals over 70, and certain persons with disabilities are eligible for free admission after obtaining a free ticket. 

You can buy the tickets at the zoo’s ticket office at the entrance (as we did), through ticket vending machines at the front gate, or online via the official website.

Also check the website for any changes for opening hours or ticket price changes. 

Facilities and Amenities

Gdańsk Zoo offers various facilities to enhance the experience:

• • Educational Programs. Informative exhibits and programs aimed at raising awareness about wildlife conservation.
  • Interactive Areas. Designated spaces for children to engage with animals and learn through play.
  • Accessibility. Paths and facilities designed to accommodate visitors with mobility challenges.
  • Dining Options. On-site restaurants provide refreshments and meals.
  • Souvenir Shops. Shops offer souvenirs and educational materials but prepare cash.

Animal Highlights

• Kokosanka is a unique albino African penguin, possibly the only one of its kind in the world born in captivity.
• Andean Condor, these majestic birds are known for their impressive wingspans.
• Mandrills are among the largest monkeys known for their colorful faces and rumps.

Our Waddle through the Gdańsk Zoo

We arrived at the zoo via public transport (bus number 179) and bought our tickets without much of a wait at the main entrance. Payment is quick and easy, with options for cash or card. Map in hand, we head straight toward the penguin enclosure, eager to meet the zoo’s most famous resident.

The path winds past early-stirring animals, but our goal is clear: the penguin encounter. When we reach the exhibit, Kokosanka is already up and waddling, her pale feathers glowing in the sunlight. She stands out immediately, drawing a small crowd of early visitors, all just as curious and charmed.

The Penguin Enclosure 

The penguin enclosure offers an experience with a colony of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus), also known as black-footed or jackass penguins, due to their distinctive braying calls. This species is native to the southwestern coast of Africa and is classified as endangered, with populations declining due to various environmental threats. Educational signage provides information about the species, their conservation status, and the zoo’s efforts to protect them.

Kokosanka – The Albino Penguin

Among the colonies, Kokosanka stands out. An extremely rare albino African penguin. She hatched in mid-December 2018 and is the only albino African penguin in captivity.  Due to her lack of protective pigmentation, Kokosanka requires special care, as she is more susceptible to diseases and would have little chance of survival in the wild. Despite these challenges, she has thrived at Gdańsk Zoo and has become an international sensation. 

In 2024, she was crowned “Penguin of the Year” in the “March of the Penguin Madness” contest organized by Penguins International, receiving over 30,000 votes.

After staying with the penguins for a fair amount of time, we waddled to the indoor pavilions. We find a colorful mix of birds and reptiles in the tropical house. The zoo keeps around 70 species of birds and over 40 species of reptiles in its closed exhibits. Parrots chattered above us while iguanas stretched lazily under warm lights. The enclosures feel alive with movement, snakes winding through branches, turtles blinking slowly, and lizards basking in quiet corners. It’s a compact space packed with curious energy, perfect for a slower-paced stroll after the excitement of the penguin encounter.

Then we head back outside, where wide waddling paths lead through open-air enclosures surrounded by forest. The outdoor exhibits feel spacious, with animals resting or roaming in natural settings. We pass by zebras grazing near a quiet pond, watch camels chewing steadily in the sun, and stop to observe a group of mandrills digging through the grass. Further along, we spot the bison herd moving slowly through their enclosure, and nearby, a family of kangaroos lounges in the shade. The highlight, though, is the Amur tiger. It steps out from behind the trees with slow, deliberate movement, its striped coat striking against the green backdrop.

There’s a lot of ground to cover at Gdańsk Zoo, so it’s worth coming prepared. The paths wind through a vast, wooded area, and comfortable walking shoes make a big difference. While exploring the outdoor exhibits, we notice that benches are placed here and there, offering some welcome breaks, but not as many as one might hope for in such an ample space. A few snack stands pop up along the main routes, selling basics like ice cream, hot dogs, and drinks. They do the job if you need a quick bite, but the options for a zoo of this size feel limited. Packing your own water or snacks isn’t a bad idea, especially if you’re visiting with kids or plan to stay for several hours.

What We Liked and Didn’t Like About Gdańsk Zoo

Visiting Gdańsk Zoo is a mixed experience; there’s a lot to appreciate, but there are a few things to remember.

The zoo covers an enormous area, which can be both a strength and a challenge. On the plus side, it’s ideal if you’re looking for a full-day outing. There’s space to waddle, it doesn’t feel crowded, and you’re surrounded by greenery the entire time. But the size also means the animals are often far away, hidden behind trees or in distant corners of large enclosures. Many times, we waddled long stretches without spotting anything at all. At one point, we even saw a woman with binoculars, a smart move. We wished we had brought a pair ourselves.

The location is another thing to consider. It’s not close to the city center, so getting there takes a bit of planning. Once inside, the layout and design feel like an old-school communist-era zoo: functional but not exactly visitor-friendly regarding animal visibility.

We loved the penguin exhibit, which was easily the highlight of the day, but again, the penguins were too far away.

We didn’t love that the souvenir stand only accepted cash; that’s inconvenient.

Overall, it’s a worthwhile trip, but not without its quirks. Prepare, set realistic expectations, and bring patience and maybe some binoculars.

Pack your bag and be ready to waddle!

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