Norway offers some of the most beautiful sights, including the Northern Lights.
The country has wonderful activities and places to visit, including the 12 best zoos and aquariums in Norway.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity or just want to spend some time viewing the beautiful wildlife, these locations have it all.
Some of them even let you get up close and personal with the animals.
Let’s look at these amazing zoos and aquariums you shouldn’t miss.
Best Zoos & Aquariums in Norway
1. Polaria
Located in one of the most unique structures you will find in the world, Polaria looks like a knocked-over row of dominoes.
This aquarium is the only one in the world this far north, so ensure you pack your warm clothes when you visit.
The aquarium opened in 1998 and provides education about the chilly waters in the north.
There’s also a museum that features many specimens of the rarest cold-water fish and simulated permafrost.
However, the main attraction of this location is the central pool of bearded seals.
2. Atlantic Sea Park
The Atlantic Sea Park features many great attractions.
Its most alluring feature may well be the outdoor enclosure of harbor seals, which is the largest in Europe.
Seal Bay originated in 2014 and is designed to offer the seals a nearly perfect duplication of their life in the natural world.
For the children, there is a water play park with an octopus statue for endless fun during the warmer months.
There’s also an activity room for hands-on learning about some of the sea’s interesting species.
You won’t want to miss out on getting to fish for crabs or hold a starfish.
3. Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park
With a history of more than 50 years, the Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park are sure to please you when you visit.
You’ll see animals from around the world and enjoy park attractions like Captain Sabertooth’s World and Water Park.
There’s also an interactive town experience at Cardamom Town, where the characters from a popular children’s book come to life.
KuToppen is an ideal area for the smaller children, as it offers access to some of the more traditionally known animals on a farm they can pet and cuddle.
4. Bergen Aquarium
The Bergen Aquarium is full of educational opportunities and features more than 60 total aquariums of various sizes.
It features animals from everywhere, including the rainforest and the oceans.
Visitor favorites include sea lions and turtles, among others.
This aquarium also collaborates with many research institutions, spreading knowledge and raising awareness of the animals and the sea.
They also feature film showings and feedings daily.
You can watch how your favorite animals feed and interact in their natural habitat.
5. Oslo Reptile Park
If you like creepy crawlies, this zoo is for you.
It’s not just reptiles here, as they have an abundance of other creatures, including tarantulas and a black widow spider.
On Tuesdays at 5 PM, you can watch all the different animals during feeding time.
The park was the owner’s dream that culminated after four years of paperwork in 2002.
However, it almost didn’t survive as the lease ended, and the struggle went on to find a new location.
Eventually, the owner could relocate and expand from its one-employee operation.
6. Drobak Akvarium
A little on the smaller side of things, the Drobak Akvarium offers a quaint experience that others do not.
It features a touch pool, two large tanks, and 14 aquariums.
You’ll see sharks, deep sea eels, catfish, sweet scallops, and cod within these facilities.
Founded in 1995, it has become one of the favored attractions of Drobak, containing most of the underwater species of the Oslo fjord.
While it is a smaller aquarium, it is constantly expanding, and soon, we’ll likely not be able to refer to it as small at all.
7. The Sognefjord Aquarium
An older style setup, the Sognefjord Aquarium features the saltwater life from the Sognefjord.
However, there is more to this aquarium than just sea life.
You will also find a cinema, a model of the Esefjord, and the Munken Gallery, which offers an illustrated history of Balestrand in 50 wooden carved pictures.
While you’re there, enjoy free use of the row boats and canoes for one hour.
You can take a leisurely trip out on the water and make the most of your visit.
8. Langedrag Naturpark
While not the most traditional zoo, Langedrag Naturpark allows you to get close to many types of farm animals, making this an excellent location to bring your children.
They’ll be able to pet them, which is something younger children love to do.
In addition to the calmer animals you can touch, some of the more fierce predators are available for viewing.
They have lynxes, wolves, and moose on site.
However, despite their history of being aggressive, all the animals in this zoo are relatively tame, and the owners enter their cages to play with them.
9. Namsskogan Familiepark
Out of the way of everything, Namsskogan Familiepark sits along the Arctic Highway.
It houses various arctic wildlife, including reindeer, brown bears, arctic foxes, and wolves.
The entire zoo is spacious, with plenty of activities for everyone, especially the kids with trampolines, toboggans, and horse riding.
You can even schedule ahead for close encounters with some of the animals.
These include the reindeer, arctic fox, and moose, among others. It’s a family adventure you won’t want to miss.
10. Risor Akvarium
As the only saltwater aquarium in Sorlandet, you won’t find the creatures in Risor Akvarium anywhere else nearby.
The facility opened in 1995 and features 25 aquariums of varying sizes.
It has over 100 different types of fish and underwater creatures for you to view.
You can also bring your children at 1 PM for the feeding time.
They’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the sea life in the wet lab.
Overall, this aquarium is a great experience for the entire family.
11. The Small Zoo
Den Lille Dyrehage, or the Small Zoo, features a large indoor rainforest that strives to be as authentic as possible, housing many inhabitants native to that habitat.
You’ll experience lemurs and monkeys jumping through the trees around you while reptiles relax on the rocks and bats hang from the trees.
If you’re a snake lover, you’re in luck, as they have an area dedicated to snakes for you to walk around in while they surround you.
Outside, you can view the enclosures with wallabies, kangaroos, and meerkats.
There are also children’s play areas so your little one won’t get bored.
12. Polar Park
The northernmost zoo in Norway, Polar Park primarily features predators, such as the brown bear, wolf, and wolverine.
They also have several moose.
You’ll have plenty of beautiful photo ops when you choose to enjoy an animal encounter.
Trained members of the staff will take you beyond the fencing to view the lynx and wolverine.
This experience will be exceptional, and you won’t want to skip out on it when you are this far north.
In addition, they offer the option of going inside the wolf enclosure to get up close and personal with the pack.
12 Best Zoos & Aquariums in Norway – Summary Table
| Zoos & Aquariums | Address |
|---|---|
| Polaria | Hjalmar Johansens gate 12, 9296 Tromsø, Norway |
| Atlantic Sea Park | Tuenesvegen 200, 6006 Ålesund, Norway |
| Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park | Kardemomme By, 4609 Kristiansand, Norway |
| Bergen Aquarium | Nordnesbakken 4, 5005 Bergen, Norway |
| Oslo Reptile Park | St. Olavs Gate 2, 0165 Oslo, Norway |
| Drobak Akvarium | Havnegata 4, 1441 Drøbak, Norway |
| The Sognefjord Aquarium | Holmen 2, 6899 Balestrand, Norway |
| Langedrag Naturpark | Langedragvegen 274, 3544 Tunhovd, Norway |
| Namsskogan Familiepark | Parkveien 1, 7892 Trones, Norway |
| Risor Akvarium | Strandgata 14, 4950 Risør, Norway |
| The Small Zoo | Brokelandsheia 10, 4993 Sundebru, Norway |
| Polar Park | Bonesveien 319, 9360 Bardu, Norway |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best zoo in Norway, and why?
Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park stands out as the clear best zoo in the country.
It offers a genuine zoo experience with animals from all over the world and is the largest in the country.
You’ll see animals of every kind and have a unique experience.
As opposed to the other zoos, you may need two full days to experience everything this one has to offer.
After all, it’s not just about the animals here, you will also have access to entertainment options that go above and beyond most things offered at a zoo.
Which aquarium is the largest in Norway?
The Bergen Aquarium is both the largest in the country and the biggest tourist attraction in Bergen.
It’s designed to allow all guests to develop a desire to learn about sea life and with the large facilities, they’ll have excellent exposure to many different types of creatures.
What kinds of activities are offered at the aquariums in Norway?
Many of the aquariums offer hands-on activities in which guests, particularly younger ones, can explore sea life.
They can fish for crabs, hold sea stars, and get a better understanding and appreciation of the ocean’s wonders.
There are some with featured aquariums, such as one dedicated to seals, where you can get up close to the animals through pods in the glass.
These allow you the full experience of learning about them.
What are the rules governing animal welfare in zoos in Norway?
In Norway, animal welfare laws are relatively strict, requiring extra care and attention to be directed toward animals kept in a zoo.
These laws require animals to have very large enclosures.
This requirement often ends up with predators having the largest enclosures, resulting in them often not being seen because they can move so far into their habitat.
Animal welfare activists are often pleased with the conditions in Norwegian zoos, finding them to be very accommodating.
However, it can be disappointing when the animals you have come to see are nowhere in sight.
Are there zoos where you can interact with the animals in Norway?
There are plenty of zoos where you can have one-on-one interactions with animals in Norway.
From petting farm animals to have close encounters with arctic foxes, there are several options available.
Some of them are directed toward children, making them ideal for family days out, while others are geared toward adults.
Do you have to pre-book for any of these please?