Visiting Osijek with children? Looking for the perfect mix of education, recreation, and exploration? Then follow in the footsteps of generations of Osijek locals who cherish the tradition of family visits to the Zoo, a green oasis on the left bank of the Drava River.

And the best way to get there is the eco-friendly route by Osijek’s famous Kompa - a river ferry which has been shuttling across the Drava since 1916. Begin your short boat ride near Solarski Square and disembark at Tvrđavica, where you’ll also find a hotel with a restaurant and a children’s playground.

Osijek ZOO celebrated its 70^th birthday in January 2025. It is the largest in Croatia, spanning 11 hectares and home to approximately 1,000 individuals of one hundred animal species, with 95,000 visitors annually. It is open 365 days a year, and its working hours are adjusted to the length of the day depending on the seasons. The entrance fee for adults is 4 euros, and 2 euros for children.

The people of Osijek have special appreciation for their Zoo, and sometimes even participate in naming its new residents. They regularly follow reports on new arrivals. For example, they recently learned that a baby alpaca named Željka was born on the eve of the zoo’s birthday.

Among the thirty or so employees is an educator who organises workshops for children, where, among other things, they have the opportunity to prepare treats for the animals. Last winter, even some famous Osijek residents, such as athletes, singers and actors did the same, and opera soloist Sanja Toth even sang to the monkeys.

Contact:

• Tel: 00 385 31 285 234
• E-mail: info@zoo-osijek.hr
• Web: www.zoo-osijek.hr
• Kompa ferry time-table: www.zoo-osijek.hr/hr/info-za-posjetitelje

Written by: Ivana Rab Guljaš