Amsterdam is a fast-paced city to be sure, but the peace and serenity of nature can be found at its core in the Artis Zoo. Founded in 1838, this popular tourist attraction offers acres upon acres of botanical gardens and 700 animals. It is known as a refuge for plants and animals that are on the verge of extinction.
In addition to the zoo and botanical gardens, this attraction offers an aquarium that lets visitors see, among other things, the lifeforms swimming in the city's murky canal water. There is also a zoological museum and a geological museum and planetarium. Free guided tours are offered on Saturdays.
This is the oldest zoo in the Netherlands and it offers an extremely diverse collection of animals that represent the entire spectrum of the animal kingdom. It has more than 200 varieties of trees as well, many of which are nearing extinction. It is truly a fascinating exhibit of nature, open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Best of all, one ticket allows visitors to see the zoo, aquarium, both museums, the planetarium and the botanical gardens. The latter attraction features statues of modern-day artists and a greenhouse dedicated to species from the tropical rainforests. Seeing the breathtakingly beautiful grounds of the Artis Zoo will involve a lot of walking, so plan to make a day of it. It is a trip that surely will not disappoint.
