Zoo Zlín in Lešná: Plan your zoo and chateau visit

• Location and getting there: The zoo is in Lešná, near Zlín. Trolleybuses on routes 4, 5 and 36 run from the city to the zoo; for rail travel, the operator recommends changing at Otrokovice and continuing to Zlín-střed.
• October opening hours: The zoo grounds are open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; ticket offices and turnstiles close at 4:30 p.m. Animal houses and exhibits open at 9 a.m. and close half an hour before the grounds.
• Seasonal entrance: In October, Entrance 2 is open on Fridays and weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Opening hours may be shortened in bad weather; Entrance 1 remains the reliable access point year-round.
• Zoo admission: The ticket price displayed on October 11, 2026, is 260 Kč for adults, 230 Kč for visitors aged 60 and over, and 200 Kč for children aged 3 to 12.99; children under three enter free. The operator may change prices and displays the applicable rate after you select your visit date.
• Lešná Chateau: The chateau is open seasonally from April 1 to November 1. The standard guided tour lasts 45 minutes; a zoo ticket is required to visit, and the tour costs extra.
• Parking: The zoo operates three free parking lots. P1 is by the main entrance; P5 and P6 serve the seasonal entrance. Private parking areas nearby may charge a fee.

The zoo organizes its animal areas by continent: Africa, Asia, Australia and America. You can focus your visit on one continent or combine several areas. If you have limited time, it makes more sense to explore one section at your leisure than to squeeze every exhibit into a tight schedule. Allowing half a day is a good way to enjoy a relaxed visit; you’ll need extra time for breaks and getting between areas.

Lešná Chateau offers a different experience from the outdoor exhibits: the standard tour takes you through eleven historically furnished rooms, including the Seilern family’s former living and reception rooms. The operator also mentions a silver collection, objects from around the world and a mummy. Tours are in Czech, and written visitor information is also available in German. The tour lasts 45 minutes and costs extra on top of zoo admission.

In October, chateau tour times vary considerably by day of the week: on weekends and public holidays, tours start between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.; from Tuesday to Friday, a tour is scheduled for 11 a.m. Mondays are reserved for groups with advance bookings. The seasonal operation ends on November 1, 2026. If you’d also like to see the interiors, plan your visit around a suitable tour. For the zoo alone, Entrance 1 remains the reliable access point; Entrance 2 is open only on Fridays and weekends in October and may close earlier because of the weather.

According to the zoo, trolleybuses on routes 4, 5 and 36 run from Zlín in the direction of the zoo. For rail travel, the operator recommends going via Otrokovice and changing for Zlín-střed; within the city, continue from Náměstí Práce on trolleybus 34 or 36. Departures and connections depend on the day you travel. If you’re taking a chateau tour, choose a connection that leaves you a buffer.

By car, you can head for the free P1 parking lot by the main entrance, which has 124 spaces. P5 and P6 are by the seasonal entrance. There are also private parking lots, whose fees are not the zoo’s responsibility. If you’re planning a weekend visit, it’s worth checking the current operating plan for your chosen entrance before setting off. Bicycle racks are available by the main entrance, but they are not locked.

Zoo admission depends on the visit date you select. On October 11, 2026, the operator listed the standard rate for card payments as 260 Kč for adults, 230 Kč for seniors aged 60 and over, and 200 Kč for children aged 3 to 12.99; children under three entered free. The “4Nature” option includes an additional contribution of 8 Kč per person for species conservation. As the zoo reserves the right to change prices during the year, select your specific date in the zoo’s official admission calendar before finalizing your budget.

On October 11, 2026, the standard chateau tour cost an additional 70 Kč for adults, 60 Kč for visitors aged 60 and over, and 50 Kč for children aged 3 to 12.99 when paying by card; cash prices were 5 Kč higher in each case. Discounts and certain special conditions depend on the visitor group. A chateau ticket does not include entry to the zoo: zoo admission must also be paid. Conversely, you can visit the zoo without touring the chateau.

Zoo Zlín makes a good standalone day trip from Zlín if you allow enough time for getting around, a break and, if you wish, a chateau tour. The combination of the zoo and chateau is not suitable for a brief stop or an arrival shortly before closing time. Families comparing several destinations can find more trip ideas for children and adults. If you’re also visiting Prague, you could consider Prague Zoo as an urban alternative; if you’re specifically looking for a safari drive, compare it with Safari Park Dvůr Králové, whose attractions and season differ from those of Zoo Zlín.

An overnight stay in Zlín can make travel easier if you’re starting early or visiting for a second day. Compare accommodation options in Zlín based on whether you’d prefer to be close to the zoo or have convenient connections around the city.

Can I visit Lešná Chateau without paying zoo admission?

No. The operator allows chateau visits only with paid zoo admission. The guided tour costs extra and must fit within the seasonal tour times.

How do I get to Zoo Zlín by train?

The zoo recommends traveling via Otrokovice and changing for Zlín-střed. Within the city, you can continue to the zoo from Náměstí Práce on trolleybus 34 or 36; choose the specific connection to suit your visit date.