Enjoy educational fun for all ages at the Zurich Zoological Museum (Zoologisches Museum der Universität Zürich). Get a close-up look at wildlife from Switzerland and around the world. The Zurich Zoological Museum opened in 1833 in conjunction with the establishment of the University of Zurich. Today it houses a wide-ranging collection of almost 1,000,000 amphibians, birds, insects, reptiles, mammals and mollusks gathered since the 1600s. The assortment of tiny fruit flies is a particular highlight.
Take your time to explore the museum’s two floors. Discover examples of native Swiss animals on the first floor and animals divided into geographic zones in the basement. See a timeline of the museum’s evolution and watch an introductory video about animal lifestyles.
Spot everything from a minke whale and polar bear to a gorilla, moose and zebra. Feel the genuine fur of a deer, giraffe and wild boar. Press the buttons to hear the authentic sounds that each creature makes. Read the interpretive signs, which provide scientific facts about each species.
Peer through a magnifying glass at microscopic arachnids and insects. Study a selection of the many different mollusks that thrive on the planet. Learn about dinosaurs and see models of mythological creatures.
Find the museum on the grounds of the University of Zurich, on the eastern edge of Zurich’s Old Town. Catch a tram to ETH/Universitätsspital, Kantonsschule or Neumarkt stations and then walk for about 5 minutes. Combine your time here with a visit to the adjacent University of Zurich Archaeology Collection. Among other nearby city attractions are the Grossmünster church, Kunsthaus Zurich and Zurich Town Hall. See over 300 species of living animals at the Zoo Zürich, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) east near the wooded hill of Zurichberg.
The Zurich Zoological Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, except for select public holidays. Admission to the handicapped-accessible museum is free. Guided tours and workshops in English are available. Visit the museum’s official website for more information.
