Zoo Schwerin | Opening Hours & Lion Lodge

The Zoo Schwerin is located south of the city center between the southern shore of Lake Schwerin and Faulen Lake, combining approximately 25 hectares of natural park landscape with modern animal husbandry and species conservation. Around 1,700 animals of about 190 species vividly demonstrate the importance of zoos today for research, education, and the preservation of endangered species. Convenient for getting there: The tram stops at the 'Zoo' station, and parking is available at the entrance on Crivitzer Chaussee 1. The zoo is open year-round; during the summer season of 2026, extended hours apply with the last admission one hour before closing. For orientation, the current path map 2025 is available for free download and in printed form at the ticket counter. Special experiences such as the new Lion Lodge, bookable animal encounters, summer safaris after closing time, and the inclusive 'Bistro am Zoo' round off the visit. Tickets, annual passes, and vouchers are conveniently available online – so you can start your adventure without waiting.

Opening Hours, Tickets, and Vouchers: Plan Quickly and Save Time

Those who approach their visit in a structured manner get more out of the day. In the summer season of 2026 – specifically from March 30, 2026, to October 25, 2026 – the zoo opens Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, on weekends and holidays from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM; the ticket counter closes and thus the last admission is one hour before closing. This is followed by the winter season until dusk. This clear schedule makes it easy to combine animal keeper appointments, tours, or an evening safari. A tip for families: Online tickets secure time advantages, as you can go directly through the turnstile without waiting in line. The zoo offers reduced categories, including for children, students, trainees, and holders of the Schwerin Card or the volunteer card. For regular visitors, annual passes are worthwhile – they allow spontaneous zoo walks on 365 days a year. Conveniently: Annual passes are also available as vouchers and can be gifted; in addition to regular options, there is even a special annual pass for dogs. Vouchers and tickets are available through the zoo's webshop; the zoo had last officially informed about this. Those who prefer to buy offline can purchase the classic admission tickets at the ticket counter; the last admission occurs, as mentioned, one hour before closing. This regulation allows sufficient time to clear the paths and ensure the animals have their quiet periods. For everyone looking for a special experience, additional paid, limited special formats such as summer safaris are available; their dates are quickly booked out – early booking pays off. In short: With an online ticket, a look at the current opening hours, and a plan for breaks and feeding times, your visit will be stress-free and eventful.

Lions & Overnight Stays: Lion Lodge and Tree House for Unforgettable Nights

A special feature at Zoo Schwerin is the Lion Lodge, whose first season began on March 1. The lodge has been positioned so that guests can observe lions resting, climbing, or splashing with a bit of luck – of course, always under strict safety and animal protection regulations. The view into the enclosure provides an intense nature experience without disturbing the animals. The offer is aimed at couples, families, or small groups who want to extend their zoo visit into the evening and morning hours when the animal world has its own quiet moments. Reservations can be made conveniently through the zoo's visitor service; the official announcement from the state capital describes the key details. Also unusual: the overnight stay in the tree house. This package includes the rental, zoo admission for all overnight guests during the booked days, final cleaning, bed linen, and towels. If you have questions about booking, you can reach the service team by phone or email; especially during holiday periods, an early inquiry is recommended. Both offers are not just a 'hotel in the park,' but aim to strengthen knowledge and appreciation for wildlife – through proximity with distance: observe, do not touch; experience, do not disturb. Our recommendation for the perfect night at the zoo: arrive early, explore the themed worlds during the day, relax in the lodge or tree house in the evening, and enjoy the special atmosphere in the morning before regular opening hours. In combination with an evening safari or a customized tour, an experience is created that goes far beyond a day visit. If you are planning a surprise, you can also gift vouchers through the webshop – ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, or as a special family gift.

Path Map 2025 and the Best Routes: From Africa Panorama to South America

The digital path map 2025 – additionally available for free at the ticket counter – is the key to a relaxed tour. It not only shows the routes through the themed areas but also marks playgrounds, service points, and gastronomy. Many guests start in the Africa area: Here, wide sightlines shape the landscape, and typical walkways, rocks, and savannah areas provide insights into animal communities such as springbok or meerkats. Depending on the time of day, a detour to the Rothschild giraffes or – with a lot of patience – a look at the lion enclosure is worthwhile. From here, a family-friendly loop continues towards the farm with play and learning stations and further to popular species such as penguins or rhinos. Those interested in rare species will also find highlights from South America in Schwerin: Giant anteaters or giant otters exemplify the connection between husbandry, breeding, and international cooperation; European zoos support rewilding and coordinate breeding programs. Zoo Schwerin communicates this species conservation work transparently, for example, through its press and magazine format. The plan also helps to avoid waiting times: Mark time slots for commented feedings or booked tours – many of these are located along the main paths and can be easily combined. For children's groups, a loop with short distances between playgrounds, petting stations, and spectacular enclosures is recommended. Barrier-free progress is facilitated by wide main paths; resting points with benches are distributed along the main routes. Those who love photography will find designated viewpoints or platforms with unobstructed views into the enclosures on the plan. Important: Respect barriers and feeding bans – the path design is such that you come very close to the animals without falling below the safety distance. With the path map 2025, you will keep an overview even on busy days – and still discover something new around every corner.

Events, Tours, and Animal Encounters: Learn, Marvel, Actively Participate

Program highlights include the summer safaris after closing time: When the day guests have left and dusk sets in, a 90-minute tour with a guide begins. During this time, many animals change their behavior – an ideal time window for observations in peace and with exciting background stories. The zoo regularly offers themed tours, holiday formats, and school programs; these can be booked through the zoo campus and visitor service. Particularly in demand are animal encounters, which have age limits depending on the species. The category 'The Wild' is aimed at teenagers from 12 years old (meerkats from 14). Under guidance and with selected food, contactless feedings or special insights are possible here – safe for both humans and animals. Birthday programs combine a one-hour zoo tour with a feeding; ideal for small groups. Those who come in winter can take advantage of seasonal offers such as the winter safari; during the Advent season, events such as the Advent café attract visitors. Important: Feeding animals by visitors is prohibited during regular operations for good reason; incorrect food or stress can seriously harm animals. The zoo regularly emphasizes this animal protection aspect in its announcements. For fans of current information, the zoo's news and press pages are also recommended; there, short-term changes, offspring announcements (for example, with prairie dogs), or species conservation news such as the commitment to giant otters are published. Tip for planning: Dates for summer safaris and evening safaris are limited, often recurring during the summer months – reserve in time! If you want to round off the day, combine a tour, playground time, a break in the bistro, and finally a quiet detour to enclosures that are particularly atmospheric in the evening. This creates a didactically varied but stress-free process for families, school classes, or team events.

Directions, Public Transport, Parking, and Gastronomy: Arrive Comfortably, Be Well Taken Care Of

The official address is An der Crivitzer Chaussee 1, 19061 Schwerin. From the city center, you can easily reach the zoo by tram; the stop 'Schwerin, Zoo' is within walking distance of the entrance. From the main train station or Marienplatz, there are frequent services during the day, including on line 1; depending on the time of day, other lines also run along the central east-west axis with a stop at 'Zoo'. Visitors arriving by car should follow the signs towards Großer Dreesch/Zoo; parking is located directly at the main entrance. As the zoo specifically promotes environmentally friendly travel, it recommends public transport during peak times; additional bicycle parking spaces were established in 2024. Gastronomically, you are taken care of by the inclusive 'Bistro am Zoo' (Vielfalter), which is operated in cooperation with the Dreescher Werkstätten. It stands for teamwork between people with and without disabilities – a concept that fits the zoo's self-understanding as an educational and meeting place. For day guests, this means: solid cuisine, child-friendly options, and short distances between playgrounds, farm areas, and gastronomy. Important for access: The passage through the bistro into the zoo area has been closed since July 2025; admission is now through the regular ticket system at the main entrance. Depending on the season, kiosks supplement the operation; cleanliness and service quality are positively highlighted in reviews. Our travel tip: If you arrive by tram, you are independent of parking searches and benefit from short distances back to the city in the evening. If you choose to drive, you should note the last admission and plan a little buffer for the walk from the parking lot to the ticket counter; this way, you have more time for the first stop – for example, at giraffes, rhinos, or penguins.

Jobs, Training, News & Sponsorships: Engage, Support, Stay Informed

Behind the daily operations of the zoo is a well-coordinated team: Around 60 employees take care of animal care, technology, construction and maintenance, ticketing and shops, visitor service, environmental education, administration, and marketing. The zoo publishes open positions centrally on its website, sometimes supplemented by notices of mini-jobs or freelance positions – ideal for people who identify with nature and species conservation. For the next generation, training positions for zookeepers (specialization zoo) are regularly advertised; for 2026, there is an announcement with a start date of August 1, 2026. It combines practical work in the enclosures with theoretical content at the vocational school and internships. Those who want to orient themselves first can find insights into daily work, training, and animal health in the zoo campus and magazine. The zoo is also active in species conservation: it cooperates with partners, participates in breeding programs, and informs in the press area about international projects, such as the protection and reintroduction of giant otters. Visitors can support this course – for example, through donations or an animal sponsorship. From 60 € annually, you will be named as a sponsor on the sponsorship board at the entrance; your contribution helps to optimize enclosures, cover food and veterinary costs, and expand educational offerings. Those who want to stay informed can use the news and press pages and follow the zoo's social media channels (Instagram is linked from the website). For families, teachers, and associations, this overall package of transparent information, bookable experiences, and concrete participation opportunities offers clear added value – and connects leisure with responsibility: marvel, learn, protect. Thus, every visit to Zoo Schwerin becomes a small building block for lived species conservation.

Sources:

• Zoo Schwerin – Opening Hours & Prices
• Zoo Schwerin – Official Website (Path Map 2025, Opening Hours Summer 2026)
• Zoo Schwerin – Contact & Address
• State Capital Schwerin – Unique Overnight Stay: First Lion Lodge Season
• Zoo Schwerin – Overnight Stay in Tree House
• Zoo Schwerin – Tours & Animal Encounters
• Zoo Schwerin – Summer Safari at Zoo Schwerin
• State Capital Schwerin – Action with Public Transport: Arrival by Tram (Stop Zoo)
• Public Transport Schwerin – Press Release: With Public Transport to the Zoo
• Zoo Schwerin – Note: Bistro Access to the Zoo Closed
• Zoo Schwerin – Press Area & Current Announcements
• Zoo Schwerin – Our Animals: Africa
• Zoo Schwerin – Our Animals: South America
• Zoo Schwerin – Job Offers
• Zoo Schwerin – Training Zookeeper Specialization Zoo (Announcement 2026)
• Zoo Schwerin – Animal Sponsorships (from 60 €)
• State Capital Schwerin – Annual Passes & Vouchers from 2026
• Zoo Schwerin – Partners in Species Conservation