Korkeasaari Zoo attracts tourists, locals all year round

The Korkeasaari Zoo, which has catered to animal lovers for more than a century, has become one of the top entertainment attractions for Helsinki residents and tourists at home and abroad.

More than a thousand people rush to the zoo every day to watch more than 1,500 animals of 150 species, the zoo authorities said.

Official source said that in 2024, more than 540 000 people visited the zoo, located on an island close to the Helsinki city center and an easy public transport system encourages the people to visit the zoo round the year.

The authorities also keep the option of visiting the zoo free on some free-entry days, but in the crowded summer season, to let people know about biodiversity and conservation as much as possible, the authorities said.

Many people, especially families with children, enjoy watching animals including lions, tigers, reindeer, peacocks, birds and fish, etc.

A woman, who brought along her two children to the zoo, told the Daily Finland that they often visit the zoo as the children like animals very much.

“We have arrived in Finland on a week’s visit. The zoo was on our priority list during our stay in Helsinki,” a tourist who came from India with his family said, noting that they liked the zoo very much.

Mari Lehmonen, communications specialist of the Korkeasaari Zoo, said that the summer is the most popular time to visit the zoo, but they also encourage visits in other seasons because every season has its own charm.

“The summer is the most popular time to visit, especially July, because it is the most popular summer holiday month in Finland. Tourists from abroad visit more evenly all the year round,” Lehmonen told the Daily Finland.

She also termed winter as nice and calm while spring is a wonderful time to visit because of the beautiful weather. Even bears wake up from their winter hibernation in February.

“The autumn is also a great season. In case of rain, we have tropical houses and indoor huts,” said Lehmonen, adding that this summer, people could still travel to the zoo by water bus from the Market Square. A bridge will be opened to people the next year, which will end the traditional water traffic.

The Korkeasaari Zoo was founded in 1889 for the purpose of education and enlightenment. The dissemination of nature and environmental knowledge, along with the protection of species, is still one of the zoo’s most important tasks.

Korkeasaari, a founding member of the European Association of Zoos and Gardens in 1992, is still actively involved with the organization.

The zoo’s joint conservation projects and campaigns have raised money for conservation work in the wild in animal habitats and created awareness of problems that threaten species.

From the beginning of 2018, the administration of the Korkeasaari Zoo changed from a City of Helsinki agency to a non-profit foundation.