Jerusalem Biblical Zoo
גן החיות התנ"כי
A large zoo featuring animals mentioned in the Bible, built into a valley. It is well suited to family outings.
The Biblical Zoo was founded in 1940 and moved in 1993 to its current site in the Malha Valley in southwest Jerusalem. It covers about 25 hectares. The zoo is known for animals mentioned in the Bible, such as the Arabian oryx, Persian fallow deer, lions and bears, and it also keeps rare species including Asian elephants. The grounds surround an artificial lake, and the paths rise and fall with the terrain. Admission is about 60 to 70 shekels. The zoo is open during the Sabbath as well, but tickets must be bought in advance. It can be reached by light rail or bus, and a visit takes about half a day.
Opening hours
Sun–Thu approx. 9:00 am–6:00 pm; Fri and Sat approx. 9:00 am–5:00 pm (earlier in winter)
Nearby sights
- Ein Karem
- Mount Herzl
- Yad Vashem
- Israel Museum
- Bible Lands Museum
- Monastery of the Holy Cross
- Knesset
- L. A. Mayer Museum for Islamic Art