Artis

Artis review

The first zoo on mainland Europe (and the third oldest in the world) provides a great day out for children and adults. Along with the usual animals, Artis has an indoor 'rainforest' for nocturnal creatures and a 120-year-old aquarium that includes a simulated Amsterdam canal (the main difference is that clear water improves your chances of spotting the eels). The zoo expanded a couple of years ago after a long battle for extra land, and now features a savannah that wraps around a light-infused restaurant.

The narration in the planetarium is in Dutch, but an English translation is available. Further extras include a geological museum, a zoological museum, an aquarium and, for kids, a petting zoo and playgrounds; you could easily spend all day here. And while there's no guarantee, staff will often let you hang out long after closing hours.