Riyadh Zoo

A great place to enjoy with family. Food and drinks from outside aren't allowed. There are food stalls/shops inside but quite pricier. Eat first at home so if you would have to spend for food it'll be minimal, especially for kids as they get thirsty quite easily. The zoo opens at 9am and closes at 4:30-ish. There is only public parking available, so park at your own risk as the streets tend to get busy at around nokn time. Tip: Tickets are free so its always "sold out" on the WBK App. So book tickets early in the morning as there's only a small window of time for you to do that. There are guidelines upon booking of do's and don'ts inside the premises. Also, there are some attractions that are enclosed, not sure if it needs another fee, we didn't get to try the bear and kangaroo arena, because of limited time. but other enclosed areas like owl cave and aviary were free.

Excellent experience at Riyadh Zoo. There is a very clear improvement in quality and overall organization. The zoo offers a wide variety of animals from around the world, with information boards in front of each animal that clearly state key facts and add educational value. The zoo is large and well maintained, and it also features some enjoyable shows. Facilities are very good, including restaurants, cafés, food trucks, shuttle buses, restrooms, and many seating areas. Entry is free, but tickets must be booked online in advance and availability is not always guaranteed. Having visited many zoos in other countries, I believe Riyadh Zoo is a distinguished destination for visitors to Riyadh and the region.

Google shows that they are open, but when I arrived, I found them closed. A one-hour trip completely wasted, especially with Riyadh traffic. This is a waste of people’s time and shows carelessness and a lack of respect. I hope those responsible will consider people’s circumstances and pay attention to such matters, which cost nothing to fix. The park security guard said that they will remain closed until Ramadan (about two weeks from now). This should have been clearly stated on their official website and on Google, as it is a long closure period.

Disappointing Experience at Riyadh Zoo I had an incredibly disappointing experience at Riyadh Zoo, primarily due to the behaviour and policies of the staff. Despite traveling with small children, I was stopped at the entrance and told I could not bring in home-cooked food. As a parent, I believe the safest and healthiest food for my children is what I prepare at home, rather than the fast food (pizza and burgers) sold inside. It felt as though the staff were prioritizing the profits of internal restaurants over the well-being of visiting families. The most upsetting part: I followed their instructions and left my food at the entrance to collect later. However, when I returned to pick it up, the food was gone. When I questioned the staff, they indifferently told me they had thrown it in the garbage. My Concerns: Lack of Empathy: The staff showed no kindness or understanding toward a family with kids. Wasted Resources: Throwing away a family's prepared meal is disrespectful and wasteful. Tourism Readiness: With Saudi Arabia hosting major global events like Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup, the hospitality standards must improve. PR and marketing are not enough; the actual "on-the-ground" experience is what matters. I cannot recommend this establishment to anyone traveling with small children until they train their staff to be more professional and hospitable. High-quality service is the best marketing, and unfortunately, Riyadh Zoo failed completely in this regard.

Very organised. We booked the tickets same day around 8 in morning when tickets were open. Kids loved it from exhibits to feeding sesion everything was very well managed. This yer they have added magic show aswell. I found ths year's parade also more interesting. They have also added more food trucks like Dominos, Sharwarmer, Baskin Robbins etc. All in all lovely experience

Well arranged and organised, information sign board is there in front of every animal explaining basic knowledge.. cleanliness show the extent of care provided.. thank for such a beautiful experience..

I went for the nostalgia of it. The old school tripes memories, but idk something changed about it, animals looked sad. I wish if was the animals cages arrange and decorated in a different way, or like different type interactions ways with animals. And thanks for the staff and organic

Perfect family spot – animals, fun walk & free entry! Very good place for kids to see a wide variety of animals – from birds and monkeys to African cheetahs and lions. 🦜🐒🦁 The walk takes about 1.5 hours to cover fully, and it’s enjoyable for the whole family. Best part – when I visited in August, the entrance was free! Definitely worth a visit.