Ahead of International Zoo Day on August 9, travel portal Csodásmagyarország.hu has published the results of a representative online survey ranking Hungary’s most popular zoos. Over 5,500 animal lovers took part in the vote in spring 2026, with one clear winner emerging.
As turizmus.com reported, respondents overwhelmingly chose Nyíregyháza Zoo as their favorite, followed by the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden and Veszprém Zoo.
A total of 5,554 people participated in the survey.
The ranking was as follows:
- Nyíregyháza Zoo – 35%
- Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden – 19%
- Veszprém Zoo – 13%
- Szeged Wildlife Park – 7%
- Tisza Lake Ecocenter – 6%
- Xantus János Zoo in Győr – 5%
- Tropicarium Budapest – 4%
- Pécs Zoo – 3%
- Veresegyház Bear Sanctuary, Budakeszi Wildlife Park, Hortobágy Wildlife Park, and Miskolc Zoo – 2% each
- Kecskemét Wild Garden and Nagyerdei Cultural Park in Debrecen – 1% each
Nyíregyháza Zoo, the clear winner of the survey, stands out with its continent-themed layout, offering visitors a journey through different regions of the world.
Daily California sea lion shows are among the zoo’s most popular attractions, while highlights include the Lemur Forest on the Tarzan Trail, where visitors can observe the animals up close, as well as regular feeding demonstrations throughout the park.
The zoo also features an oceanarium with a shark tunnel, an Asian jungle area with a giant waterfall, and a North Pole exhibition with virtual reality and 4D experiences. Visitors looking for a unique memory can also take camel rides.
Located in Budapest’s City Park, the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden is home to more than 8,000 animals from seven continents.
Beyond its diverse animal collection, the zoo is also known for its historic Art Nouveau architecture.
Its main entrance, the Owl Castle, Magic Mountain, elephant house decorated with colorful Zsolnay tiles, and the Palm House are all architectural landmarks. During the summer, visitors can also enjoy the butterfly garden with free-flying exotic butterflies.
Veszprém Zoo is considered an ideal destination for a full-day family trip.
In addition to a dinosaur park and adventure park, the zoo’s Africa-themed savanna playground is a major attraction. The covered “Kölyök-dzsungel” (Kids’ Jungle) playhouse features a terrarium, a sloth trail, and a covered slide. On Gulya Hill, visitors can find one of Hungary’s largest African savanna exhibits, home to zebras, giraffes, impalas, and a family of five white rhinoceroses.
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Via turizmus.com, Featured image: Hungary Today
