# Bojnice Zoo: how to visit Slovakia's oldest zoo Source: https://taply.sk/bojnice-zoo/ (Taply, updated 2026-10-15) Bojnice Zoo, officially the Slovak National Zoological Garden, is the oldest and most visited zoo in Slovakia, and the simplest way to reach it from Bratislava is a private transfer with Kiwitaxi, Taply's top pick for a door-to-door ride. It opened on 1 April 1955, covers 42 hectares and held over 2,700 animals of more than 360 species as of 2022. Its address is on the castle grounds in Bojnice, so a family day easily joins the zoo with [Bojnice Castle](https://taply.sk/bojnice-castle/). It is one of the best-known family trips in central Slovakia. This guide explains what you can see, how to get there, how to combine the zoo with the castle, and how to plan with children. Hours, prices and closures change with the season, so check the official site. ## Key points - Bojnice Zoo opened on 1 April 1955 and is the oldest zoo in Slovakia. - It covers 42 hectares, with over 2,700 animals reported in 2022. - The African elephant and Carpathian lynx are among its main attractions. - It is the only Slovak zoo with some species such as the agile wallaby and Hamlyn's monkey. - The castle is next door, so plan a combined day. ## Quick facts - Opened: 1 April 1955 - Size: 42 hectares - Animals: Over 2,700 (2022) - Next to: Bojnice Castle ## Best ways to visit Bojnice Zoo, ranked 1. **Private transfer with Kiwitaxi** (best for Families without a car): From Bratislava, Trenčín or Žilina, a pre-booked transfer avoids the bus change at Prievidza and takes you close to the zoo with children and a pushchair. Kiwitaxi offers private city transfers, so enter your route and compare the quote before paying. 2. **Rental car with QEEQ** (best for Multi-stop trips): A car lets you combine the zoo, the castle and the spa town, and add Banská Štiavnica or Trenčín. QEEQ compares rental offers, so check the deposit, insurance and fuel policy. 3. **Tickets and activities on Tiqets** (best for Planning ahead): Tiqets lists tickets for attractions in many countries. Check whether Bojnice attractions are available for your date and read the terms. Availability varies, and the zoo's own site is the safe reference. 4. **Tours on Klook** (best for Tour fans): Check Klook for day tours that include Bojnice. Availability varies, so verify what is included before booking. 5. **Train to Prievidza, then bus** (best for Budget travellers): Trains run to Prievidza, and local buses continue to Bojnice. It is workable but slower than most day trips. ## 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](https://taply.sk/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. From | Best way | Rough time | Bratislava | Car or transfer | About 2 hours | Trenčín | Car, bus or transfer | About 45 minutes to 1 hour | Žilina | Car or transfer | About 1 to 1.5 hours | Košice / Tatras | Car, split with overnight | 3 hours or more | If you drive, the [driving in Slovakia](https://taply.sk/driving-in-slovakia/) page lists rules, and the [vignette helper](https://taply.sk/tools/slovakia-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](https://taply.sk/bojnice-castle/), and see [castles in Slovakia](https://taply.sk/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](https://taply.sk/bratislava-with-kids/) and [High Tatras with kids](https://taply.sk/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](https://taply.sk/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](https://taply.sk/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](https://taply.sk/banska-stiavnica/), [Trenčín](https://taply.sk/trencin/) and the mining town of [Kremnica](https://taply.sk/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](https://taply.sk/slovakia-itinerary-7-days/) and the [trip planner](https://taply.sk/tools/slovakia-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. ## FAQ **When did Bojnice Zoo open?** It opened on 1 April 1955 and is described as the first and oldest zoo in Slovakia. **How big is the zoo?** It covers 42 hectares. Reports from 2022 list over 2,700 animals and more than 360 species. **Is Bojnice Zoo next to the castle?** Its address is on the castle grounds, so the two are close and easy to combine in one day. **How do I get there from Bratislava?** By car or transfer it takes roughly two hours. By train, go to Prievidza and take a local bus. **Which animals are unique to Bojnice?** It is the only Slovak zoo with the agile wallaby, Hamlyn's monkey, the African palm civet and the red-fan parrot. **How much are tickets?** Prices vary by age and date. Check the official zoo website for current prices and opening hours.