In short:
- Danish zoological gardens are popular family attractions with over 4.3 million visitors in 2025. The best parks stand out through animal welfare, nature-oriented facilities, and family activities, attracting visitors year-round. Planning the visit, including feeding times and accommodation, can create an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Denmark's zoological gardens are among the most visited family attractions in the country. The 15 largest zoos and aquariums in Denmark had a total of 4.3 million visitors in 2025. The figures show that zoos are not just a summer activity. They are a fixed point of reference for families, school classes, and animal lovers all year round. From Copenhagen Zoo with nearly 1.3 million visitors to Givskud Zoo with safaris and dinosaurs, you will find a wide range of experiences. Rejsidanmark guides you to the best zoos in Denmark so you can plan a visit that perfectly suits your family.
What makes a zoo one of the best in Denmark?
The best zoos in Denmark stand out in three areas: animal welfare, experience quality, and facilities for families. A good zoo is not just a place where animals are on display. It is a place where animals thrive and where visitors learn something new.
Natural facilities Provides better animal welfare and allows guests to observe the animals' natural behavior. It is a clear improvement from the traditional cages that many remember from childhood. Modern zoological gardens prioritize large, open areas that mimic the animals' natural habitats.
Family-friendly activities are essential. The best gardens offer feeding, training sessions, playgrounds, and guided tours. Children remember experiences, not just the sight of an animal behind a fence.
Here are the most important factors that distinguish the best gardens from the average ones:
- Natural and spacious facilities In front of traditional offices
- Variation in animal speciesincluding rare and endangered species
- Family activities as feedings, shows, and interactive stations
- Seasonal events some Christmas experiences and night trips
- Accommodation options For those who want an extra unique experience
- God availability with parking, stroller paths, and food options
Professional tip: Always check the garden's website for feeding times before you visit. Animals are most active and visible during feeding, and it provides the best experiences for children.
Copenhagen Zoo
Copenhagen Zoo is Denmark's largest and most visited zoo, with nearly 1.3 million visitors in 2025. The Haven is centrally located in Frederiksberg and is one of the oldest zoological gardens in Northern Europe. It makes it a natural first stop for families visiting the capital.
Haven has hundreds of animal species distributed across themed enclosures. The elephant house, the polar bears, and the large savannah-like African area are among the most popular. Children can experience the animals up close in special interactive zones, and there are playgrounds spread throughout the park.
The price is not the lowest, but the quality of the facilities and the variety of experiences make it a good investment for a whole family day. The park is open all year round and offers seasonal events, including Christmas experiences in December.
2. Odense Zoo
Odense Zoo beat Visit record for the fourth year in a row In 2025 with 557,595 visitors. It is an impressive number for a medium-sized Danish town, and it reflects the garden's ability to attract families from all over the country.
The Christmas season is Odense Zoo's second-largest season after summer. Over 80,000 visitors came during the Christmas season alone. It shows that the harbor has managed to create an experience that extends far beyond the warm summer months.
Odense Zoo is particularly strong in African animals and has a well-designed savannah exhibit. The park is manageable in size, making it ideal for families with young children. The distances are short, and there are good facilities for breaks and refreshments.
3. Givskud Zoo
Givskud Zoo is one of Denmark's most unique zoos. It combines a classic safari experience with a dinosaur park included in the ticket price. It provides a full day of activity for families seeking variety.
The safari tour in Givskud should start early in the day to avoid queues and to see the animals when they are most active. The park is officially called Zootopia and has lions, giraffes, rhinoceroses, and many other African animals in large, open enclosures. The Dinosaur Park is a popular addition, especially for school-aged children.
Givskud Zoo had 433,000 visitors in 2025 and is thus one of the country's three most visited zoos. The park is located in Central Jutland and is easy to reach from both Vejle and Billund.
4. Ree Park Safari
Ree Park Safari in Ebeltoft is Denmark's safari experience in miniature. The park is designed to give visitors a feeling of driving through the African savannah, but with Danish nature as the setting. It is a different experience than a traditional zoo.
Family gets the most out of Ree Park, when they combine the safari trip with the park's playgrounds and activity zones. Children can be active between animal observations, making the visit more than just a passive tour. The park also offers overnight stays, allowing for experiences outside of opening hours.
Ree Park is particularly suitable for families with children aged 3–12 years. The combination of safari and play creates a natural rhythm in the visit, and the animals are close in open enclosures without traditional cages.
Professional tip: Choose accommodation in Ree Park if you want to experience the park without other guests. In the morning, before the park opens, the animals are especially active and easy to see.
5. Scandinavian Animal Park
Scandinavian Animal Park on Djursland focuses on Nordic and Scandinavian animal species. The park covers 450,000 square meters of wild nature and is thus one of the largest animal parks in Denmark by area. It gives the animals space to live naturally and provides visitors with an authentic forest experience.
The park is home to wolves, bears, moose, lynxes, and many other species native to Scandinavia. It is a different profile than the Africa-focused parks, and it particularly appeals to families who want to learn about Nordic nature. Accommodation is available in the park, providing a unique opportunity to experience the animals at dusk and in the morning.
The Scandinavian Animal Park is a good choice for families who have already visited the large African-focused parks and want something new. Nature and the animals are closely connected, and the experience feels more wild than in a traditional zoo.
6. Aalborg Zoo
Aalborg Zoo is the only zoological garden in Denmark with African elephants and Asian lions. It makes it a must for animal lovers who want to see these majestic animals. The harbor is centrally located in Aalborg and is easy to reach by public transport.
Haven prioritizes natural landscaping and animal welfare. The elephant enclosure is one of the most praised in Scandinavia and provides the animals with space to move naturally. The lion enclosure is also designed with a focus on the animals' needs rather than pure display.
Aalborg Zoo is a good size for a family day. It is large enough to offer many experiences, but manageable enough to avoid fatigue in the youngest. The park offers guided tours and feeding sessions, which are popular among families with children.
7. What are the best zoos for children?
Zoos for children are about more than animals. The best parks combine play and learning in a way that keeps children engaged all day. Interactive stations, playgrounds, and opportunities to get close to the animals are essential.
Givskud Zoo and Ree Park are the two parks most often highlighted for children's experiences. Givskud combines safari with dinosaurs, while Ree Park offers an active safari experience with integrated playgrounds. Both parks are designed with children's pace and curiosity at the center.
Odense Zoo is a great choice for families with very young children. The parking is manageable, and the distances are short. It reduces fatigue and makes room for spontaneous breaks that the little ones need.
How to plan the perfect zoo day for families
Good planning makes the difference between a stressful day and a memorable experience. Follow these steps to get the most out of your visit:
- Check feeding times in advance. Animals are most active and visible during feeding. Plan your route in the park based on these times.
- Arrived early. Most zoos are quietest during the first two hours after opening. The queue at popular facilities is shorter, and the animals are more active in the morning.
- Take breaks at regular intervals. Children get tired quickly in large parks. Plan breaks at playgrounds or cafes to recharge your energy.
- Make use of seasonal events. Christmas events at zoos have become increasingly popular and offer a completely different experience than a summer visit.
- Consider accommodation. Parker such as Ree Park and Scandinavian Animal Park offer accommodation. It provides access to the park without other guests and unique nature experiences.
- Buy tickets online. Most parks offer discounts for advance purchases and save you from queuing at the entrance.
Professional tip: Give the children a single goal for the day, for example "we will watch the lions being fed". It creates anticipation and gives the day a natural structure.
Comparison of facilities in Danish zoological gardens
The tables below provide a quick overview of the main differences between the most popular zoos in Denmark.
| park | Special focus | Accommodation | Safari experience | Suitable age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen Zoo | Broad artistic variation | No | No | All ages |
| Odense Zoo | African animals, Christmas at the zoo | No | No | All ages |
| Givskud Zoo | Safari and dinosaurs | No | Yes | 4+ years |
| Ree Park Safari | Safari and play | Yes | Yes | 3–12 years |
| Scandinavian Animal Park | Nordic species, nature | Yes | No | All ages |
| Aalborg Zoo | Elephants and lions | No | No | All ages |
The price level varies significantly between the parks. Copenhagen Zoo is generally the most expensive, while smaller parks like Scandinavian Wildlife Park and Ree Park offer competitive prices. Many parks offer family discounts and season passes, which quickly pay for themselves through repeated visits.
Accessibility is good in most parks. All the mentioned parks have stroller paths and wheelchair accessible facilities. Transport with public funds is easiest to Copenhagen Zoo and Aalborg Zoo, while the other parks are primarily accessible by car.
My recommendations after many zoo visits in Denmark
I have visited most of Denmark's zoos several times, and my honest opinion is that the choice of park depends much more on your children's age than on the size or price of the park.
Givskud Zoo is the park I most often recommend to families with school-aged children. The combination of safari and dinosaur park is hard to beat, and it is a full-day experience without feeling stressed. Arrive early, start with the safari, and spend the afternoon with the dinosaurs.
The Scandinavian Animal Park is the park that few people know, but which often surprises positively. The 450,000 square meters of nature offer an experience that feels wild and authentic. If you have visited the major Africa-focused parks and want something different, this is the answer.
One thing I have learned is that staying overnight in a zoo fundamentally changes the experience. Seeing the animals in the morning, before the park opens to daytime visitors, is something very special. Ree Park and Scandinavian Wildlife Park both offer this opportunity, and I highly recommend it to families who want a memorable experience rather than just another day trip.
Modern zoological gardens play an important role in increasing understanding of nature and conserving endangered species. It is a perspective that makes the visit more than just entertainment. It is an investment in children's understanding of the world.
— Tommy
Plan your next family trip to a zoo
Rejsidanmark gathers the best guides and practical tips for families planning excursions in Denmark. Whether you want to combine a zoo visit with other attractions or plan a whole weekend, you will find help with the planning. Use our Guide to Denmark as a starting point for your trip, and supplement with ours Checklist for family outings to ensure that you don't forget anything important. A good preparation makes the day better for the whole family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which zoo is the most visited in Denmark?
Copenhagen Zoo is Denmark's most visited zoo with nearly 1.3 million visitors in 2025. It is also the country's largest and widest in species variation.
When is the best time to visit a zoo?
Early morning is the best time, as the animals are most active and the cows are shortest. Seasonal events such as Christmas experiences in December offer a different experience than a summer visit.
Which zoos offer overnight stays?
Ree Park Safari and Scandinavian Animal Park both offer accommodation. It provides access to the park without other day visitors and the opportunity to see the animals at dusk and in the morning.
Which zoo is best for very young children?
Odense Zoo is a great choice for families with very young children. The parking is manageable, the distances are short, and there are good facilities for breaks and refreshments.
Is the dinosaur park in Givskud Zoo included in the ticket?
The Dinosaur Park at Givskud Zoo is included in the regular admission fee. It provides a full day of activity with both safari and dinosaurs at no extra charge.