This is a mom and pop aquarium shop. Literally. It's tiny, and filled floor to ceiling with fish,…read moretanks, fish accessories, and in the middle of the tiny shop is a big fancy goldfish tank with a giant Buddha in it. But they still have anything a start up fish owner would need, and will gladly order anything that they don't have in stock. It helps if you speak Dutch though, since their English is so-so. We went here to get a tank and some goldfish, and the woman owner walked us through every step of everything we would need. Unlike in a typical pet store, they seem most interested in keeping the fish healthy and happy, and selling stuff is their second priority. They don't follow you around and push you to buy anything. They seem much more interested in cutting up fresh cucumbers, for example, to feed to the fish to make them happy. I believe it's important to support real fish stores when buying fish, since they care more about the fish than a store that makes its money of of selling cat and dog food. This place is a great example of that, and I highly recommend it.

Wonderful zoo, arguably one of the top in the Netherlands. Each animal has a lovely habitat and…read morelots to see and do there. Great place of families with young kids with several playgrounds in the zoo. In particular the indoor playground is perfect for rainy days. Feels like we go there for the playground, and see animals along the way going there! The baby elephant is adorable, the tigers and the polar bears both very cool. One time we actually say the rhino playing around and a giraffe chasing a goose!

A tad pricey but it was really one of the best zoo's I've been too. My hubby had to work in…read moreRotterdam so he sent me and our two girls off to find the zoo. We started off with the sealife area, had CA sea lions up first lol being from CA which we've seen but they were really active, swimming and barking. Their aquarium is really beautiful with so many window displays including a large glass tunnel that had the most amazing views of the sharks, stingrays and fish swimming over your head. The kids were so excited to be surrounded like you were underwater swimming with them. We saw so much and everything was so in your face it was amazing. The kids loved seeing the tiger exhibit they came up right up to the window *although there were some middle school kids there on a fieldtrip or something and they were being super annoying banging and yelling at the windows. I wish there was some park employee there to tell them to knock that sht off! In fact, come to thing of it I don't recall seeing any caretakers or park employees in any of the outdoor exhibits. But moving on, my personal favorite and you must see is the Amazon exhibit. You walk into this and bamm the heat hits your face. You are in a jungle of flowers, plants/trees and there are butterflies small and LARGE flying in your face. I had to hold my shreeks and my hands down as my initial inclination was to scream and swat something that is flying in my face. LOL! The butterflies would stop and feed from these large flower feeders, it was really beautiful to see them so close while the fed. I highly recommend you visit this zoo if you're in Rotterdam. It took us 4 hours to go through the zoo and really enjoy it and maybe because we went during the off season and middle of the week but it wasn't crowded at all which made it more enjoyable. They have a cafe, gift shop and snack shops through out.

I haven't been to the zoo in a very, very long time, and my decision to visit this one was a bit of…read morea surprise. My plane arrived early in the day, so I got to my hotel well before the room was ready. I was able to stash my luggage in the housekeeping area until check-in, but what's to do with myself for five hours? Enter Artis. Located just had a block from my hotel, this was a natural choice. It's probably not exactly what you have in mind when you think of a zoo. Instead, it seems more like a giant, beautifully-maintained park full of gardens that happens to contain animal exhibits, a planetarium, playgrounds, and fun interactive things for kiddos and the young at heart. (I am DELIGHTED that the tulips are still going strong.) As soon as you enter the park, you pass through some absolutely lovely flowerbeds, complete with benches for basking in their beauty. From there, you have your choice: there are so many things to see and do! In addition to the habitats that have multiple layers of fencing (and/or moats, and/or electrical fences, and/or signs warning about sharp beaks, teeth, and claws--I'm looking at you, jaguar and griffin vulture), there are some habitats that let you get up close to the animals, too. There's a lemur zone, where the lemurs lounge in trees just next to the path. There are indoor areas where you can walk right through a primate habitat or bird habitat. There's a butterfly habitat! It's a real treat, and everywhere you go, there are helpful people ready to tell you the funny story about how a bad taxidermy job got the emperor tamirin its name or point out the adorable Pygmy marmoset hanging out right next to you. It really is a wonderful place, ideal for kids and adults, groups and singles, and anyone who loves nature. It's a really nice group of guests--everyone is kind, and people are happy to point out the bird that is hiding behind the bush or the frog that is in that rolled-up leaf, and the youngest guests get super excited when you point out the massive walking stick or the capybara that is taking a nap right next to the fence. I got lots of steps in and enjoyed every minute of it. Absolutely recommend.

Artis Zoo completely surprised me in the best way and ended up being one of my favorite experiences…read morein Amsterdam. From the moment you walk in, it feels less like a typical zoo and more like a beautifully designed park that just happens to be filled with animals. The grounds are stunning, with wide walking paths, old trees, and historic buildings that give it a really unique charm you don't usually get at zoos. The enclosures are thoughtfully done, and you can tell there's a real focus on animal care and creating natural environments. There's a great mix of animals too, from the big, iconic ones to smaller, more unique species that are just as interesting to watch. What really stood out was how peaceful it felt. Even with other visitors around, it never felt chaotic or overcrowded, which made it easy to take your time and actually enjoy each area. It's the kind of place where you can wander for hours without realizing how much time has passed. If you're visiting Amsterdam, I can't recommend Artis enough. It's the perfect mix of relaxing, interesting, and genuinely enjoyable -- whether you're into animals or just want a beautiful place to spend a few hours.

This is a little pet shop that is currently under construction, so things are a little disheveled…read more But they have a store cat who hangs out in front for the kids to pet, and bunnies and guinea pigs and various birds who welcome visitors to the store. Everything is sort of low-key like this, since it feels like a real mom and pop store. They don't take pin cards, only cash, so that adds to the small business feeling. They have a decent selection of all your basic pet needs. Their fishtanks are spotless and all the fish look healthy and active. I'd highly recommend buying fish or shrimps or whatnot from here. Ironically they also have a fishing section, so if you want to catch live fish for killing and eating, you can get supplies for that here as well. They cover all the basic pet supplies, like cats and dogs and birds and fish and guinea pigs and outdoor birds. They also sell birds and bunnies as well as fish if you're looking for one of those. They give good advice, too, so I'd recommend this place. I'm so glad there is someplace like this in my neighborhood!

Since 2014, I've been a loyal customer and consequently sent many humans here to procure healthy…read more(non-grain/chemical food) for their animal family members. What makes De Jongh unique? The knowledge of the award-winning manager regarding various species of animals - mammals, aquatic, aviary, reptilian, amphibian, et cetera - is vast. Where many that work in pet shops, are doing the job to make ends meet, there is a lifetime of research and academic education that goes into the mindset of De Jongh. Above and beyond the call of duty, when I was injured and couldn't shop, the new manager delivered kibble and litter to my door. Above and beyond the call of duty, the new manager initiated a mentorship program for children to gain work experience in his store for school credit. All of them are kind and enthusiastic to have their confidence boosted via this great program. Above and beyond the call of duty, the new manager strives to maintain the ethos of a family-owned shop and ensure the customer isn't lost in a corporate conundrum of poor advice through lack of knowledge, misinformation or practical experience. You may get a euro or two off for some items (due to the ability to purchase in mass quantities) at a big box store, but you will totally miss out on quality of care and possibly the health of your pet. No discount is worth that! Above and beyond the call of duty, the new manager invested a great deal in the aesthetics and intuitive layout of the store. While it practically 'served its purpose' before, the atmosphere after the immense renovation is more pleasing and spacious to be in. He is committed! Any questions about fish, dogs, cats, rabbits, lizards.... get your notebook and ask the new manager - above and beyond the call of duty. Take care of your animals. Shop De Jongh, since changed its name to Rainer. Visit in person and via their website: https://rainer-amsterdam.nl/