WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE: A Surprise visit to the Attica Zoological Park
Yes, Athens has a zoo — who knew?
Did you know that Athens has a zoo? It’s true. The Attica Zoological Park is not exactly in the city of Athens itself, but it is nearby, and not far from Athens International Airport.
This is self-funded institution that encompasses nearly 50 acres and hosts more than 2000 animals representing 290 different species.
It opened in May 2000, initially as a Bird Park, hosting the third largest bird collection in the world (1,100 birds from 300 different species), farm animals for the younger visitors and three beautifully maintained walk-in aviaries — miniatures of three continents — in which visitors can meander and admire the relevant bird fauna and flora. We are bird lovers here at Greek Column, so that’s exactly what we did, and from the African green pigeons to the flighty toco toucans, we were roundly impressed. These were very perky birds!
The zoo is like a microcosm of the famous San Diego Zoo — much smaller, of course, but don’t forget the terrain is similar as is the Mediterranean climate, so the feel is very airy and open, savannah-like. The zebras have room to roam, there is a pair of Asian elephants in a separate area, and lots more.
I would suggest just meandering about and see where the paths take you. I didn’t expect to see cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes, with their long blue tongues, but I did. I am pretty sure that one of the giraffes smiled at me. I cannot say the same for the alligator, which resembled one of the Kardashians, or the python, which resembled some people in Washington DC.
Much to my surprise there were also dolphins, swimming in large pools; the biggest one, named Levi, tossed one of his toys at me which made quite a splash. I took this as a compliment!
More from the zoo’s website:
In April 2001, when the “World of Reptiles” was added to the Attica Zoological Park, constant expansions and additions began including the “Greek Fauna” section, with animals rarely seen in Greece (summer 2002), the “African Savannah” with animals from Africa (February 2003), the monkeys and apes section (June 2003), the completion of the “Big Cats” section and the extension of the African Savannah (December 2004), the “Monkey Forest”, where visitors can be in the same enclosure with the monkeys (early 2005), the “Cheetah Land”, where 4 Cheetahs are kept in a large enclosure which visitors can cross through a special corridor, the chimpanzees and gibbons section (March 2008) and finally the “Arid Lands” section hosting animals such as camels, Somali wild asses, etc. (April 2008). In addition, in May 2010, 2 white male rhinos were added to the Park’s “family” and in June 2010, 4 dolphins and 2 California sea lions became members of AZP's family.
The zoo strongly recommends online booking for weekends and bank holidays due to high visitation.
The park provides a separate entrance for online tickets and annual card holders when queuing exceeds 10 minutes.
Pets are not allowed at the park for safety reasons.
Buy your online tickets here.
General Entrance: €24
Children 3-12 years old: €18
Under 3 years old: Free Entry
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The Attica Zoological Park is a most impressive! Reserve at least a day to explore this
fascinating and educational excursion -!