The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, officially the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens, is one of Israel’s most popular attractions and the most reliable full-day outing for families in the city. The 62-acre park in the wooded Malha valley pairs animals named in the Hebrew Bible with endangered species from around the world: lions, Asian elephants, giraffes, gorillas, snow leopards, and a much-loved penguin exhibit. With a petting zoo, train and boat rides, shaded picnic areas, and the Israel Aquarium next door, it is built for kids and easy on parents. This guide covers the must-see exhibits, 2026 ticket prices in shekels, opening hours, Shabbat access, how to get there, and how to plan a visit around the heat.
Use it with our parent Jerusalem with kids guide, our ranked kid-friendly attractions list, and our family itinerary.
Why Visit the Biblical Zoo
What sets this zoo apart is its theme and its setting. Alongside the usual crowd-pleasers, it gathers species mentioned in the Bible and runs serious breeding programs for endangered Middle Eastern animals, several of which were once extinct in the wild here. The park is laid out across a green valley with streams, ponds, and mature trees, so a visit feels more like a hilly nature walk than a concrete enclosure circuit. That also means real distances between exhibits, so plan for a lot of walking and bring a stroller or carrier for younger children. The upside is plenty of shade and quiet corners to rest, which makes the zoo more comfortable than many city attractions on a hot day.
- Size: 62 acres in the Malha valley in southwest Jerusalem.
- Animals: over 200 species, including many named in the Bible.
- Highlights: Asian elephants, African lions, giraffes, gorillas, penguins, snow leopards.
- Conservation: respected breeding programs for endangered regional species.
- Israel Aquarium: on the same campus, with combined tickets.
- Best for ages: all ages, and especially kids 2 to 14.
Must-See Exhibits
You will not see everything well in a single visit, so it helps to prioritize. The exhibits below are the ones families come back talking about, and most have a feeding or keeper talk worth timing your route around. Schedules are posted at the entrance and can shift, so check on arrival and roughly plan a loop that hits two or three feedings without doubling back across the valley. Pick up a map at the gate, since the layout follows the contours of the hillside rather than a simple circle.
African plains and lions
- African lions viewed from a raised platform.
- Giraffes in a large open enclosure, with feeding visible at times.
- Zebras and ostriches sharing the savanna.
- Best timing: the cooler morning, when animals are most active.
Asian elephants
- A multi-generation herd, often including young calves.
- A daily feeding, commonly late morning; confirm the time on arrival.
- Indoor viewing in cooler or wet weather.
Primates
- Gorillas, one of the zoo’s stars, in a large habitat.
- Orangutans with room to climb.
- Chimpanzees and smaller monkeys such as tamarins and capuchins.
Penguin exhibit
- Humboldt penguins in a climate-controlled habitat.
- Underwater viewing through glass, a guaranteed kid magnet.
- Feeding sessions that draw a crowd, so arrive a few minutes early to get a spot at the glass.
Reptiles and biblical animals
- A reptile house with snakes, lizards, and crocodiles.
- Persian fallow deer, once extinct locally and bred back at the zoo.
- Asian wild ass and Nubian ibex, both animals of the Bible.
- A bird collection including eagles, vultures, and parrots.
The Bible Connection and Conservation
The zoo’s founding idea was to gather the animals of the Bible in one place, and that thread runs through the whole park. As you walk, small signs link species to the verses that mention them, which gives older kids and curious parents a thread to follow beyond simply spotting animals. It turns an ordinary zoo visit into a low-key scavenger hunt: find the wild ass, the ibex, the eagle, the lion. For families visiting Jerusalem’s holy sites, it is a gentle, hands-on way to bring the landscape of those stories to life.
Behind the scenes, the zoo is a working conservation center. Its breeding programs have helped restore regional species that had vanished from the wild in Israel, including the Persian fallow deer and the Arabian oryx, some of which have been reintroduced to nature reserves. Keeper talks often touch on this work, and it gives children a reason to care about the animals beyond the novelty of seeing them up close.
Petting Zoo and Children’s Areas
For toddlers and younger children, the dedicated kids’ areas can matter more than the headline animals. The hands-on petting corner, the little train, and the playground are often where the youngest visitors are happiest, and they make a natural midpoint to break up the walking.
- Petting zoo with goats, sheep, and donkeys that younger children can get close to.
- Playground with climbing structures.
- Train ride through the park (a small extra fee).
- Boat rides on the lake in season, a calm break for tired feet.
- Picnic areas scattered throughout.
Israel Aquarium (Next Door)
The Gottesman Family Israel Aquarium shares the campus and tells the story of the country’s waters, from the Mediterranean and the Red Sea to the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. A combined ticket saves money if you plan to do both, though pairing a full zoo day with the aquarium is a lot for very young kids; many families split them across two visits.
- Highlights: a Red Sea coral reef, sharks, sea turtles, and a touch tank.
- Time: 1 to 2 hours.
- Combo ticket: around 95 shekels for adults, with a discounted child rate.
Visitor Information
The zoo is open daily, including Shabbat, though the Light Rail and buses do not run from Friday afternoon to Saturday night, so a Saturday visit means arriving by taxi or car. Hours shift between summer and winter and on Jewish holidays, and the zoo closes for Yom Kippur, so confirm the day’s times before you set out. Prices below are 2026 guidance.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Sun-Thu hours | about 9am-6pm (later in summer, earlier in winter) |
| Friday hours | about 9am-4pm, closing before Shabbat |
| Saturday (Shabbat) | open, roughly 9-10am to 5-6pm; last entry an hour before closing |
| Closed | Yom Kippur; reduced hours on some holidays |
| Adult ticket | around 71 shekels |
| Child (3-18) | around 54 shekels; under-3s free |
| Family ticket | discounted per-person rate for four or more |
| Zoo + Aquarium combo | around 95 shekels adult |
How to get there
The simplest options from the center are a direct bus or a taxi. If you ride the Light Rail, connect from a southern stop by bus or a short walk. There is parking on site for those with a rental car, which is also the easiest way to arrive on Shabbat.
- By bus: direct city lines run to the zoo; check current numbers on the Egged or Moovit app.
- By Light Rail: ride toward Mount Herzl, then a short bus or walk.
- By taxi: roughly 50 to 70 shekels from the city center.
- By car: on-site parking; the address is Aharon Shulov Road in Malha.
For the full picture on fares, the Rav-Kav card, and Shabbat timings, see our Jerusalem transportation guide and Shabbat guide.
Dining at the Zoo
Food is easy here. The main café serves a kosher dairy menu with the sandwiches, pasta, and salads that kids will eat, and kiosks around the park sell snacks, drinks, and ice cream. Plenty of families bring a picnic and use the shaded tables, which is both cheaper and faster than queuing at lunchtime. Carry refillable water bottles and top them up at the fountains.
- Main café: kosher dairy menu with kid-friendly options.
- Kiosks: snacks, ice cream, and drinks around the park.
- Picnic areas: bring your own food and grab a shaded table.
For meals beyond the zoo, our kid-friendly restaurants guide has options across the city.
Planning Tips
- Time needed: 4 to 6 hours for a full visit, or 2 to 3 for the highlights.
- Best time of day: the morning, when animals are active and the heat is bearable.
- Avoid midday in summer: June to August afternoons are punishing.
- Strollers: welcome, with rentals available on site.
- Accessibility: the paths are wheelchair-accessible, though hilly in places.
- Footwear: wear comfortable shoes, as the trails cover the whole valley.
- Sun protection: hats, sunscreen, and water for everyone.
Seasonal Considerations
- Spring (March to May): the best window, with mild weather and active animals.
- Summer (June to August): hot, so come early or late and use the indoor exhibits midday.
- Autumn (September to November): comfortable and quieter after the holidays.
- Winter (December to February): cooler with shorter hours; many animals still visible.
For a month-by-month view of the climate, see our best time to visit guide.
Combine With the Rest of Your Day
A full day at the zoo is enough on its own for younger children, but families with older kids sometimes pair it with a nearby stop. The Malha district has a large shopping mall a short ride away for a cool, indoor break, and the Light Rail connects back toward the center for an early dinner. If your kids still have energy, the central parks such as Liberty Bell and Sacher are good places to let them run before the day winds down. When you are mapping out the week, our family itinerary shows where the zoo fits best so you are not backtracking across the city.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo?
In 2026, expect around 71 shekels for adults and around 54 shekels for children aged 3 to 18, with under-3s free. A family ticket lowers the per-person rate, and a combined zoo-and-aquarium ticket runs around 95 shekels for adults.
How long does it take to visit the Biblical Zoo?
Allow 4 to 6 hours for a full visit or 2 to 3 hours for the main highlights. Add another 1 to 2 hours if you are including the Israel Aquarium next door.
Is the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo open on Shabbat?
Yes, the zoo is open on Saturdays, with seasonal hours that are shorter in winter. Because public transport does not run on Shabbat, plan to arrive by taxi or rental car, and confirm the day’s closing time before you go.
How do I get to the Biblical Zoo by public transport?
Direct city buses run to the zoo from the center, and you can also take the Light Rail toward Mount Herzl and connect by a short bus or walk. A navigation app will give you the current line numbers and times.
What animals are at the Biblical Zoo?
Highlights include lions, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, orangutans, penguins, and snow leopards, alongside biblical species such as the Nubian ibex, Asian wild ass, and Persian fallow deer, plus more than 200 species in all.
Can I bring food to the Biblical Zoo?
Yes. There are picnic areas throughout the park, plus a kosher dairy café and snack kiosks if you would rather buy on site. Bringing your own food and water is a popular, budget-friendly choice for families.
Is the Biblical Zoo good for toddlers?
Very. The petting zoo, the train ride, the boats, and the playground are all geared to young children, strollers are welcome, and the picnic areas make it easy to take breaks when little legs get tired.
A Top Family Day Out
The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo earns its place at the top of most family itineraries: a beautifully laid-out valley park with hundreds of species, a petting zoo, train and boat rides, and that crowd-pleasing penguin exhibit, with the Israel Aquarium right next door. Slot it into your plans with our kid-friendly attractions guide and family itinerary.
