Bojnice Zoo: how to visit Slovakia's oldest zoo

What Bojnice Zoo is

The Slovak National Zoological Garden in Bojnice opened on 1 April 1955 and is described as the first zoo to open in Slovakia. It is the oldest and the most visited Slovak zoo, with around 403,000 visitors counted in 2018. It is run by the Slovak Ministry of Environment, took the word National in its name in 2017 and belongs to international zoo associations including EAZA and WAZA.

The zoo covers 42 hectares, a large area that includes green slopes, so expect a lot of walking. A reported total of over 2,700 animals and more than 360 species in 2022 shows how broad the collection is, though official tables count species differently.

Animals to look for

The African elephant and the Carpathian lynx are the headline animals. The zoo also keeps species found in no other Slovak zoo: the agile wallaby, Hamlyn's monkey, the African palm civet and the red-fan parrot. If your children love big animals, plan your route past the elephants early. If you like local wildlife, the lynx and other Carpathian species give a sense of the region's forests. Animal lists change as the zoo moves and exchanges animals, so use the zoo's map and website on the day.

Getting there from Bratislava

By car, Bojnice is roughly two hours from Bratislava, see Bratislava to Bojnice for route options. Trains reach Prievidza and buses cover the last stretch. From the Tatras or Košice, the trip takes three hours or more, so a stay in the region helps.

If you drive, the driving in Slovakia page lists rules, and the vignette helper explains motorway permits.

Combining the zoo with the castle

The zoo's official address is on the castle grounds, so many visitors do both in one day. The usual order is zoo in the morning while animals are active, lunch in the town and the castle tour in the afternoon, because castle visits are typically guided and run on a schedule. Check English tour times on the castle site, and buy tickets in advance in busy periods. Read more in the Bojnice Castle guide, and see castles in Slovakia for other options.

Planning with children

Wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat and water, and plan breaks at the cafes. A pushchair is useful, but some paths are hilly. Check feeding times if the zoo publishes them, and respect signs, because feeding animals is usually forbidden. In summer, start early to avoid heat and crowds. On rainy days, bring waterproofs and plan fewer outdoor hours. For other family trips, see Bratislava with kids and High Tatras with kids.

Tickets, hours and seasons

Opening hours vary by season, and last entry is usually earlier than closing. Prices depend on age and ticket type, so use the official website for current figures. Weekends in summer and school holidays are the busiest, while spring and autumn weekdays are calmer. A quiet visit lets you see more animals and take more time at each enclosure.

Who should skip it

If you only have a short Slovakia trip and little interest in animals, the castle alone may be enough. If you dislike zoos on principle, consider nature options such as national parks in Slovakia. If mobility is limited, check the terrain, since the grounds are large and uneven.

Sample day from Bratislava

Leave Bratislava early so you arrive close to opening. Spend two to three hours in the zoo, concentrating on the animals your group cares about most, then eat in Bojnice. Take the castle tour in the afternoon, walk the gardens, and head back in the evening. If you want less driving, stay one night in the area and spread the visit over two days. The nearby thermal pools in Bojnice are a typical addition for tired legs, see thermal spas in Slovakia.

Accessibility and practicalities

The grounds are large and include slopes, so wear sturdy shoes and carry water. Pushchairs generally work on main paths, but steeper stretches are tiring. Check the visitor service pages on the official site for toilets, baby changing, accessibility and any rules about outside food. Bring a rain jacket and a light layer in spring and autumn.

Nearby places to add

Bojnice sits in central Slovakia, so it combines with Banská Štiavnica, Trenčín and the mining town of Kremnica. A three-day loop from Bratislava can run through Trenčín, Bojnice and Banská Štiavnica before returning by the motorway. For a broader route, use the 7-day itinerary and the trip planner to fit the zoo into your plan.

Budget tips

Bring a picnic or eat in town rather than inside the grounds, and look for family tickets on the official site. Travelling with two or more families splits the cost of a transfer or rental car. Visit on a weekday if you can, since it is cheaper in time, with shorter queues for the castle tour as well.