Korkeasaari Zoo
Helsinki's island zoo, one of the oldest in the world - a rocky Baltic island of northern and exotic animals, reached by ferry in summer.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
Korkeasaari, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest zoos in the world, spread across a rocky Baltic island off Helsinki. It focuses on cold-climate and mountain species, from snow leopards and Amur tigers to northern owls, among the pines and granite of the island, reached by a summer ferry or a year-round bridge.
What you actually see
- Big cats - snow leopards, Amur tigers and lynx in island enclosures.
- Northern species - owls, wolverines and cold-climate animals.
- The tropical houses - warm indoor sections for a cold day.
- The island setting - rocky Baltic shore and pine among the enclosures.
When to go
Summer for the ferry, active animals and the full island; the bridge keeps it open year-round for a snowy visit. Weekday mornings are quietest.
Honest expectations
It is a zoo with the usual questions, though it leans to species suited to the northern climate. The island terrain means a fair amount of walking up and down rock. In winter the ferry stops and you reach it by bus and bridge.
Nearby
The Helsinki market square and Suomenlinna ferry are across the water; the city centre is close.
What to pack for Korkeasaari Zoo
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
