Olomouc Zoo

Olomouc Zoo sits on the wooded slopes of Svatý Kopeček, a hill above the city of Olomouc that is also known for its hilltop pilgrimage basilica. Signs refer to it as Zoo Olomouc. It opened in the 1950s, and the forest setting and hillside terrain shape the experience. Paths climb and descend between enclosures, so the visit feels as much like a walk in the woods as a trip to a zoo.

The zoo draws close to 300,000 visitors a year and is one of the best-known attractions in the Olomouc region. Families with children make up much of its audience, and the uneven ground is worth bearing in mind for anyone with limited mobility or a pushchair. Combining the zoo with the basilica on the same hill makes a natural half-day or day outing from the city.