Copenhagen Zoo

Copenhagen Zoo, founded in 1859, is one of the oldest zoos in Europe and the most visited zoo in Denmark, drawing well over a million guests a year. Set on the border between Frederiksberg Gardens and Søndermarken, its 11 hectares pack in an unusually rich mix of animals and celebrated architecture. Since 2019 the zoo has been home to two giant pandas, on loan from China, in a yin-and-yang-shaped house designed by Bjarke Ingels Group — one of only a handful of European zoos to keep the species. Nearby stands the striking glass elephant house created by British architect Norman Foster, opened in 2008. Indoors, the Tropical Zoo recreates a rainforest hall with free-flying birds and sloths, while the Arctic Ring lets visitors watch polar bears through an underwater viewing tunnel. The zoo also runs European breeding programmes for endangered species and keeps a children's zoo with domestic animals. It is an easy trip from the city centre by bus or bike; go early to catch the pandas and larger animals at their most active, and allow half a day to see it properly.