The zoo is nestled within Nicolae Romanescu Park, which was designed by French architect Édouard Redont and awarded a gold medal at the 1900 Paris World's Fair.
The facility serves as a refuge for rescued wildlife, particularly native Romanian species that can no longer survive in the wild.
The park surrounding the zoo contains a chain of artificial lakes and a suspension bridge built in the early 20th century.
The zoological collection is focused on species acclimated to the temperate climate of the Southern Carpathians and surrounding plains.
Zoo Park Craiova is situated within Nicolae Romanescu Park, one of the largest natural parks in Romania. The zoo houses a variety of species including lions, bears, tigers, and diverse bird populations. It functions as an educational facility focusing on the preservation and observation of native and exotic fauna. The grounds are integrated into the wider landscape design of the surrounding park, which features lakes and suspension bridges. Recent infrastructure upgrades have aimed to modernize animal enclosures to meet contemporary welfare standards. It remains one of the primary recreational attractions for families in the Oltenia region.
The elevated viewing platforms near the large carnivore enclosures or the bridge paths overlooking the park's greenery.
Combine your zoo visit with a walk around the adjacent lake to see the full extent of the Nicolae Romanescu Park.
Visit during the weekday mornings to avoid high foot traffic from local families and school groups.
Bring comfortable walking shoes as the zoo is part of a very large park network that requires significant walking.
Attempting to visit on foot from the city center without considering the significant size of the park; use the park entrances strategically.
Closed on Mondays for routine maintenance and animal care activities.
Do not feed the animals, maintain a quiet volume near sensitive species, and stay within designated paths.
