Kolmården bills itself as the largest zoo in Scandinavia and if you are interested in biology, or just have small children, it is great addition for your Europe travel planning. And plus, it isn’t every day you get to see giraffes near European cities.

The zoo is an impressive display of animals from all over the world and boasts several hundred animals.  Hundreds more are born every year, and a rhinoceros was born this past winter.  There is even the opportunity for a safari like drive through in the aptly named Safari Park (although this is considered a separate ticket).  The park features giraffes, ostriches, zebras, and lions with paws the size of my head.

Kolmården is only about an hour and a half drive from Stockholm.  It’s easy to get there just following the highway, but a detour onto the smaller roads through the Swedish forests makes for a much prettier drive. Although it also raises your chance of getting lost.  Luckily, even on the smaller roads, Kolmården has managed to get quite a few sign-posts along the way.

Adult tickets cost 310 SEK and children 200 SEK to visit both the zoo and the Safari Park.  That ticket price includes access to the zoo and marine park, the Safari Park, as well as plenty of child-friendly activities like the Wild Park and Bamses World.  Each year, the zoo focuses on one endangered animal and money from the entry price is given to that cause.  In 2010, the gorilla will be the focus of Kolmården.

If you’re hoping to get away from the stress that sometimes comes from travel in a big European city, take the time to head off to Kolmården.

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