ARTIS is the zoo every Amsterdam parent ends up at eventually, usually more than once. It’s one of the oldest zoos in the world, tucked into the Plantage neighbourhood a short tram ride from Centraal, and it packs animals, an aquarium, a planetarium and two museums onto grounds small enough that you’re not doing a five-kilometre march with a stroller. Here’s what’s actually worth your time with kids, what it costs, and how to avoid spending half your visit looking for the toilets.
If you’re weighing this against NEMO for a rainy Tuesday, the short version is: ARTIS works best when you’ve got at least half a day and reasonably cooperative weather, since a good chunk of it is outdoors. NEMO is the better call for a two-hour indoor fix.
What ARTIS with kids actually costs
A standard zoo ticket covers the zoo grounds, the Aquarium and the Planetarium. As of this summer, adults (13+) start from €29.50 booked online, more like €32.50 if you buy at the counter, and kids aged 3 to 12 start from €25.50 online. Under-3s get in free. Booking ahead on ARTIS’s own site is always cheaper than turning up and queueing, and prices shift a bit depending on the day, so check the current rate before you commit to a date.
If your kids are older and into the science-museum side of things, there’s also a combination ticket that adds Micropia and the Groote Museum. Worth it if you’ve got a curious 9-year-old; skip it if you’ve got a toddler who just wants to see the lions.
Getting there without the parking headache
Trams 1 and 14 both stop right at ARTIS, a couple of minutes’ walk from the main entrance on Plantage Kerklaan. If you’re coming from the south side of town, Waterlooplein metro station is about 15 minutes on foot, doable with a buggy but not thrilling in the rain. If you’re cycling in with an OV-fiets rental, there’s bike parking right on Plantage Kerklaan too. There’s a car park on-site, but it fills up fast on sunny weekends and school holidays, so trams are the more reliable option if you’re set on a specific arrival time.
The animals kids actually stop for
ARTIS runs on the older European zoo model, meaning enclosures spread through a genuinely nice park rather than one big loop, complete with historic buildings, ponds and mature trees that make it feel more like a stroll through a botanical garden than a modern zoo layout. The reticulated giraffes and their savanna neighbours are usually a first stop, and the sea lions draw a crowd whenever there’s a keeper around, check the info boards near the entrance for that day’s talk times since they change. Kids gravitate to the gorillas and chimpanzees too, and the polar bear enclosure surprises most visitors, it’s not what people expect to find in an Amsterdam zoo.
There’s a small petting zoo just past the main entrance, along with a couple of playgrounds scattered through the grounds, useful when your youngest has had enough of looking at things behind glass and needs to run. The paths are wide and stroller-friendly throughout, and pull-along wooden wagons are available if you want your toddler riding instead of walking the whole way.
The Aquarium, Micropia and the Planetarium
The Aquarium reopened this year after a long renovation and it’s genuinely one of the highlights now, tanks running from an Amazon flooded forest to a tropical coral reef to a cross-section of an actual Amsterdam canal, complete with the bikes and bottles you’d expect to find at the bottom. It’s included in the standard zoo ticket, so there’s no reason to skip it.
Micropia, the microbe museum, is the one to think about before you queue up. It’s dark, the exhibits are built around powerful microscopes, and the concepts are genuinely abstract, better suited to kids around 8 and up who can handle “you are currently covered in bacteria” as a fun fact rather than a nightmare. Younger kids can go in, but don’t expect them to get much out of it.
The Planetarium runs shows throughout the day and is included with your zoo ticket. It’s a nice sit-down break if little legs are flagging, and most kids find space easier to get excited about than microbes.
The Groote Museum, ARTIS’s natural history museum, sits in one of the park’s grand old buildings and covers evolution and the natural world in a more traditional, walk-through format. It’s part of the combination ticket rather than the base zoo entry, so it’s worth deciding before you buy whether your crew has the appetite for a third indoor stop on top of the Aquarium and Planetarium.
Tips for visiting ARTIS with kids
- Go early, or go late. The gates open at 9:00 and close at 18:00, and the first hour and last two are noticeably quieter than the midday crush.
- Plan for half a day minimum, a full day if you want to hit the Aquarium, Planetarium and playgrounds without rushing anyone.
- Bring your own snacks or budget for the on-site cafés, prices are what you’d expect for a major attraction.
- If you’ve also got a Museumkaart, check whether it applies before buying separate tickets, it can change the maths on a family visit.
- Pack layers. Large parts of ARTIS are outdoors and the Dutch weather does not care about your plans.
ARTIS pairs naturally with a wider museum day if the weather holds, our guide to Amsterdam’s best kid-friendly museums has other options nearby. If the forecast turns against you, keep our rainy day guide on hand, and browse the wider places directory and current deals and offers for ticket discounts before you book.
FAQ
How long should we plan for an ARTIS visit with kids?
Half a day covers the animals and one extra attraction, like the Aquarium. If you want to add Micropia, the Planetarium show and a proper playground break, budget a full day.
Is ARTIS good for toddlers?
Yes, it’s one of the better zoo options for younger kids specifically because of the stroller-friendly paths, the petting zoo near the entrance, and the playgrounds spread through the grounds. Micropia is the one attraction that’s genuinely better suited to older kids.
Do we need to book tickets in advance?
You don’t have to, but booking online is cheaper than paying at the counter, and it saves you a queue on busy days. Prices vary a bit by date, so check the current rate when you’re ready to commit.
Is there somewhere to eat inside ARTIS?
There are cafés on-site, though bringing your own snacks and a picnic is the more budget-friendly option, especially with multiple kids to feed.
