ARTIS Park

About

Since 1838, ARTIS Amsterdam Royal Zoo has been an iconic place in the heart of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, where nature education is central. As one of the five oldest zoos in the world, ARTIS is proud to be recognized as an Urban Night Sky Place by DarkSky International and will continue to raise awareness about the effects of light pollution as an ambassador for the night.

When viewed from the air at night, the capital city of Amsterdam appears as a sea of lights—with one remarkably dark spot: ARTIS. Located in the center of the city, the park serves as a rare oasis of darkness, where night truly remains night. ARTIS is responsible for the wellbeing of its animals, and a proper night’s rest is essential to their health. Both the urban wildlife and the animals cared for by ARTIS benefit from the preservation of natural darkness.

ARTIS also houses the ARTIS Planetarium. As stargazing opportunities rapidly decrease amidst the bright city lights, the Planetarium offers 1.5 million visitors each year the chance to experience what they have lost. Here, people are given back a small piece of the lost night sky—the only untouched piece of nature right above their heads.

ARTIS is proud to be recognized as an Urban Night Sky Place by DarkSky International and will continue to raise awareness about the effects of light pollution as an ambassador for the night.

Area

0.14 km²

Designated

2025

Category

Urban Night Sky Place

Address

ARTIS Park,
Plantage Kerklaan 38-40,
1018 CZ Amsterdam, Netherlands
Google Maps

Contact

ARTIS Communications
[email protected]
+31 (0)6 53 738 688
www.artis.nl

Dan Oakley
Policy and Destination Senior Manager, DarkSky International
+44 780 357 0818
[email protected]

Documents

Announcement
Application
Annual Reports