The Innsbruck Alpine Zoo (Alpenzoo) is Europe’s highest zoo at 750 metres above sea level, specialising exclusively in Alpine wildlife. Founded in 1962 by Austrian zoologist Hans Psenner, the zoo houses around 2,000 animals from approximately 150 species across just over 5 hectares built into the mountainside.
No other zoo in the world presents such a complete collection of wildlife from the Alpine region. The zoo has achieved international recognition for conservation breeding programmes, particularly for bearded vultures, Alpine ibex, and northern bald ibis.
Location and access
The zoo is at Weiherburggasse 37, on the slopes of the Nordkette mountain range above Innsbruck, Austria. It’s a 20-minute walk from Innsbruck’s historic city centre, though the uphill route makes this tiring for most visitors. Better options exist.
The Hungerburgbahn funicular railway offers the easiest access. Combi-tickets are available at the valley station at Congress Innsbruck, including the funicular ride (section I, return) and zoo admission. The modern funicular, with stations designed by Zaha Hadid, takes just a few minutes from the Congress station to the Alpenzoo stop.
Bus line W also serves the zoo. On some weekends and public holidays the car parks can be very full, so the Hungerburgbahn and bus line W are recommended alternatives.
If driving, car parks at the Alpenzoo are subject to charges daily from 9am to 7pm. For the first 3 hours you pay 50 cents per half hour, with each additional half hour costing €1. Access to the car park is only possible for coaches up to 8.5 metres overall length.
Innsbruck Alpine Zoo opening times and admission
The zoo opens year-round at 9am, closing between 5pm and 6pm depending on season. Adult admission starts from €15, with €8 concessions available. The accompanying person of a person with a disability receives the same discount. Adults with disabilities (71%+) get free admission. Children also receive reduced €8 rates. The zoo is covered by the Innsbruck Card.
After-work tickets are available in the last hour before closing at the reduced price of €9 for adults. Most visitors spend 2-3 hours exploring.
Tickets should be booked online. Book a combi-ticket if you want the funicular included.
Why book the Innsbruck Card for sightseeing and transport?
- Free access to top attractions: Visit museums, historic sites and landmarks in Innsbruck without paying individual entrance fees.
- Free public transport included: Use buses and trains within the city at no extra cost, making it easier to get around.
- Flexible duration options: Choose a 24-hour, 48-hour or 72-hour pass to match your travel schedule.
- Save time and money: One pass covers many things — great for first-time visitors wanting convenience and value.
- Easy digital format: Use the card on your phone — no need to print any tickets or vouchers.
The layout
The zoo is built on a mountainside, meaning you’ll climb up to 100 metres in altitude as you walk the paths between enclosures. This isn’t a flat zoo where you stroll leisurely — it’s more like a hike through animal habitats. The terrain can be steep and tiring, particularly on hot days. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, and the paths can be slippery when wet.
After entering, turn right to find the aquarium and water creatures. Keep right when exiting the aquarium to pass the reptiles and reach the show farm. The path continues past larger animals and includes a detour to a viewing platform with excellent views over the zoo, city, and Inn Valley. Look for the Bergisel ski jump on the opposite hill. The Alpine ibex, lynx, and moose live in the upper sections of the zoo.
What to see at Alpenzoo
The collection includes approximately 20 of the 80 mammal species found in the Alps, 60 of the approximately 200 Alpine bird species, 11 of the 15 Alpine reptile species, 6 of the 21 Alpine amphibian species, and almost all fish species of the Alps.
Large mammals include brown bears, wolves, European bison, lynx, and moose. The zoo is the only zoo in the world that exhibits the wallcreeper, a small bird that clings to cliff faces. Birds of prey are a major feature — golden eagles occupy Europe’s largest eagle aviary, and bearded vultures and northern bald ibises can be seen in large walk-in aviaries.
Alpine ibex and chamois occupy naturalistic rocky enclosures where they demonstrate their climbing abilities. Otters play in water features. Marmots burrow and whistle from their hillside homes.
The show farm displays the diversity of Alpine livestock, with many species of fowls, sheep, cattle, pigs, and goats that can be observed and petted. Many breeds are old breeds created to meet the specific requirements of small-scale farming in the Alps’ micro-climates.
Six large terrariums accommodate reptile species, and an aqua-terrarium caters for amphibians. With its 17 tanks containing between 80 and 14,000 litres each, the Alpenzoo owns the biggest fresh water aquarium in the world (well, by one definition, anyway). Over 50 species of Alpine fish inhabit recreated habitats from cold Alpine rivers to lakes and the Danube.
Spring visits are particularly rewarding. Most young animals are born between April and June. Kid goats and chamois jump wildly around their enclosures, while newly hatched birds explore their aviaries. Even winter occasionally brings newborns among the farm animals.
Bearded vulture breeding
In 1974, Alpenzoo was the first institution to succeed in breeding the bearded vulture ex-situ in the Alps. The zoo started the first breeding plan in 1970 with reintroduction as the ultimate goal. In 1978, an international organisation was created to advance the project. In 1987, the first couple was released in an artificial nest in the Alps. The zoo remains the European Endangered Species Programme coordinator for northern bald ibis.
Facilities and accessibility
The lower zoo area can be easily accessed and experienced with a wheelchair. In the zoo’s upper zone, however, some paths are steeper and only accessible for disabled people with assistance. There are disabled toilet facilities at the zoo entrance. Free electric wheelchairs are available.
ANIMAHL Bistro serves small dishes and drinks, though expect long waiting times on busy days. Café and Restaurant Weiherburg offers more casual dining with indoor and outdoor seating. Playgrounds include a large one and a smaller area for young children, plus a climbing wall leading to an Eagle Nest viewing area.
A mobile app provides information about animals through profiles, films, 3D models, and missions. The app acts as a digital zoo guide. A small museum at the Weiherburg, an old residence on site, can be visited with the same ticket.
Five great things to do in Innsbruck
- 🚵 Explore the Alpine villages on an ebike tour.
- 🍽️ Take a traditional food tour and indulge in classic Tyrolean dishes.
- 🪂 Fly over the Stubai Valley on a tandem paragliding adventure.
- 🏰 Take a private day tour to the fairytale Neuschwanstein Castle.
- 🎶 Embrace the cheese at a Tyrolean folk show.
Nearby attractions
The Nordkette cable car system continues from Hungerburg to Seegrube and then Hafelekar at 2,256 metres. The journey offers spectacular Alpine views. At Seegrube, summer hiking trails wind through the Karwendel mountains, while winter brings skiing and snowboarding. The cable car stations were designed by Zaha Hadid.
Innsbruck’s Old Town (Altstadt) is 20 minutes downhill. The Golden Roof (Goldenes Dachl) with its 2,657 gilded copper tiles is one of the most admired landmarks, built around 1500 by Emperor Maximilian I. The building now houses the Golden Roof Museum. The Old Town’s pedestrianised streets are lined with pastel-coloured buildings and cafés.
Stadtturm (City Tower), near the Golden Roof, offers panoramic city views from the top of 133 steps. The Hofburg Palace is a magnificent baroque residence that once served as the Habsburg family home. Tours of the apartments and historic rooms run regularly. The Hofkirche (Court Church) nearby contains an elaborate tomb and silver chapel.
Maria-Theresien-Straße is a pedestrian promenade lined with baroque palaces, shops, and cafés. St Anne’s Column commemorates the retreat of Bavarian troops in 1703. The Triumphpforte (Triumphal Arch) marks the southern end of the street.
The Bergisel Ski Jump, visible from across the city, is another Zaha Hadid design used in the 1964 and 1976 Winter Olympics. A viewing platform at the top offers panoramic views. The Tirol Panorama Museum at the base displays a giant circular painting of the Battle of Bergisel from the Napoleonic era.
Schloss Ambras, a Renaissance castle set in beautiful gardens, features unique art collections including works by Rubens, Van Dyck, and Velázquez. The castle is a 15-minute bus journey from the city centre.
Swarovski Crystal Worlds in nearby Wattens showcases crystal art from famous artists. The attraction is about 15 minutes from Innsbruck by bus.
Making the most of your visit
The uphill layout means arriving early when you have most energy makes sense. On hot days, animals often retreat to shaded areas or indoor sections, reducing sightings. Spring and early morning visits see more active animals.
The combination of mountain location, conservation focus, and complete Alpine collection makes this unique among European zoos. You’re not seeing exotic animals from distant continents — you’re seeing the specialised wildlife that has adapted to survive in one of Europe’s harshest environments. Bears, wolves, and lynx that were nearly extinct in the Alps now thrive here as part of breeding programmes that have helped restore wild populations.
The Innsbruck Card provides good value if you’re visiting multiple attractions including the zoo, cable cars, and museums. The card includes free public transport throughout Innsbruck.
If mobility is limited, understand that the upper sections will be challenging despite the zoo’s excellent accessibility efforts in lower areas.
This isn’t a zoo for those wanting only easy, flat walking or seeking tropical animals. It’s for anyone interested in Alpine ecology, mountain wildlife conservation, or experiencing a genuinely different type of zoo built into spectacular mountain terrain above one of the Alps’ most beautiful cities.
More Innsbruck travel
Other Innsbruck travel articles include:
- Is the Bergisel ski jump in Innsbruck worth the entry fee?
- The incredible range of strudels at Innsbruck’s Kroll café.
- Visitor tips for St James’ Cathedral in Innsbruck.
- Visiting the world’s oldest existing museum at Schloss Ambras.
- What to expect at Swarovski Crystal Worlds.
