Accessibility at ARTIS

Borrowing a wheelchair

ARTIS Zoo has 20 wheelchairs available for visitors. A €0.50, €1, or €2 coin is needed to unlock the wheelchair, which will be returned when the wheelchair is returned. If you don’t have cash, you can get a special ARTIS token for €1 using a debit card at the ARTIS shop or ticket desks. Please note: on busy days, wheelchairs may be unavailable.

Micropia and Groote Museum
Each of these locations has one wheelchair available to borrow, with no deposit required.

Reserving a wheelchair
A limited number of wheelchairs can be reserved in advance. Please call no later than one day before your visit: +31 (0)20 523 3670.

Borrowing a mobility scooter

ARTIS has one mobility scooter available for visitors who would otherwise be unable to visit. This must be reserved at least one day in advance via +31 (0)20 523 3670. A €50 deposit is required, which can be arranged at the service desk directly to the left after entering ARTIS Zoo.

Accessibility for wheelchairs and mobility scooters

Most areas of ARTIS Zoo, ARTIS-Groote Museum, and ARTIS-Micropia are accessible by wheelchair or mobility scooter. Some areas in ARTIS-Park may be less accessible:

• the lion lookout terrace

• the climbing rocks near the jaguar habitat

• the rear section of the Tropical House

• the path to the sea lion enclosure is steep

• the second door of the Forest House must be held open manually

• the Butterfly Pavilion has a wheelchair path, but it is steep

Disabled parking

There are five disabled parking spots on the ARTIS parking lot, located close to the main entrance. The entrance to ARTIS Zoo is about 150 metres from the parking area and the route is wheelchair-friendly, with one lowered curb. Reaching the museums via Artisplein takes a few minutes longer.

On Plantage Kerklaan, in front of the Resistance Museum, there are also two disabled parking spots. From here, it's a 130-metre walk to ARTIS, with two lowered curbs along the way.

Toilets

All toilets in the zoo are accessible for disabled visitors, except for the one in the Small Mammal House. The locations are clearly marked on the map. The museums also offer accessible toilets.

Assistance dogs in ARTIS

Assistance dogs are welcome in the zoo, except in a few animal enclosures where their presence may cause stress to the animals. A special route has been developed in cooperation with Stichting Gebruikers Assistentiehonden. This route is available at the ticket desk. Dogs must wear a vest or harness with the logo of the training organisation.

Assistance dogs are also welcome in the Groote Museum and Micropia.

Audio description at ARTIS

During your visit, you can enjoy several audio walking tours via the ARTIS app on your own phone. Topics include ARTIS during wartime and the theme of water. For the Planetarium show Signs of Life, a headset with audio description is available. Please ask a staff member at the entrance of the dome.

Low-stimulus visits

ARTIS does not currently offer designated low-stimulus visits.
If you wish to avoid crowds, consult the crowd calendar to see which days are expected to be less busy at ARTIS Zoo.

Free entry for companions

Visitors who cannot visit ARTIS independently may bring one companion free of charge. The visitor requires a regular ticket. Companion tickets are available at the ARTIS ticket desk or at the museum entrance. This applies to, for example, visitors in a wheelchair or people with autism.

Autism Card

ARTIS recognises the Dutch Autism Card (Autipas). Companions receive free admission upon showing the card at the ticket desks of ARTIS Zoo, Micropia, or the Groote Museum.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard

ARTIS recognises the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower for visitors with invisible disabilities. If you've forgotten your lanyard, you can borrow one temporarily at the ARTIS ticket desks.

Would you like more information, have suggestions, or experienced any accessibility issues during your visit? 

For more details or specific requests, please contact ARTIS Public Service. They are happy to help you plan a comfortable visit. You can also call using Tolkcontact Teletolk.