A different kind of zoo

Łódź Zoo is home to one of the largest and most modern zoological complexes in Poland, but its biggest attraction takes you far beyond the traditional idea of a zoo.

The Orientarium is dedicated to the wildlife of South and Southeast Asia, with large habitats designed to let visitors observe animals from above, at ground level, and underwater. The building and its outdoor spaces cover almost the area of ten football pitches.

Elephants, orangutans and an underwater world

One of the stars is Alexander, an Indian elephant described by the zoo as the largest and oldest representative of his species in Europe. His spacious enclosure includes a large pool, and elephant bathing is one of the most popular daily experiences.

Then the landscape changes completely. A 26-metre underwater tunnel runs beneath the ocean tanks, where sharks, rays, and hundreds of other fish swim above visitors. The seven tanks hold more than three million litres of water and are home to around 180 species of fish.

Elsewhere, visitors can meet critically endangered Sumatran orangutans, Malayan sun bears, Javan lutungs, and the impressive gharial crocodile.

A tropical world beyond the Orientarium

The wider zoo adds another layer to the experience, with outdoor enclosures, heated pavilions, and animals from different parts of the world. It is designed as a year-round attraction, so even in colder months many species can be observed indoors without being moved away from visitors.

In 2026, the zoo also opened Poland's largest butterfly house — a tropical greenhouse filled with exotic plants and hundreds of colourful butterflies. It adds an unexpectedly calm and immersive stop to a day that otherwise revolves around much larger animals.

With elephants bathing, sharks passing overhead, orangutans moving through their habitat, and butterflies flying through a tropical garden, Łódź Zoo feels less like a collection of animal enclosures and more like a series of different worlds to walk through.