Having heard about a new arrival at Karlsruhe Zoo—a polar bear cub named Mika in early 2025—I was excited to visit. The city had also launched a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus. Traveling to Karlsruhe for INDIA SUMMER DAYS, I decided to experience these new attractions.
My dear friend Pascal Rastetter, MD, KTG Karlsruhe Tourismus GmbH, kindly arranged a short city tour with an English-speaking guide and personally accompanied me to the zoo, followed by an Indian lunch.
Karlsruhe Zoo
Karlsruhe Zoo is ideally located, just opposite Karlsruhe Hauptbahnhof, and my hotel was only 200 meters away. Along with Pascal, I explored the zoo, home to 3,000 animals across 240 species, including polar bears. In early 2025, it welcomed the cub Mika.
The zoo is renowned for its immersive “animal experience worlds,” such as the Arctic tundra habitat for polar bears and the Australian enclosure featuring wallabies. The Exotic House, converted from a former indoor pool, showcases over 2,000 animals across nearly 100 species, including sloths, tamarins, and Seychelles giant tortoises. A notable feature is the “senior residence” for elephants, providing a specialized environment for older elephants. The zoo is also involved in international conservation efforts, participating in breeding programs for endangered species.
Strolling through the greenery, shaded by old trees, with a small lake offering boating, the zoo feels like a beautifully landscaped park. At the polar bear enclosure, I was charmed by Mika and his mother. “Aren’t they cute? Visitors from across Germany and beyond love seeing the little one. Kids simply adore it,” said Pascal. Children and parents were busy clicking photos as Mika playfully rolled around.
The enclosures are animal-friendly, housing hippos, elephants, giraffes, leopards, kangaroos, seals, monkeys, bats, snakes, reptiles, ducks, geese, and many other birds. Walking through tree-lined alleys, Karlsruhe Zoo is picturesque and peaceful, offering a journey through diverse habitats.
Later, we enjoyed a delightful Indian lunch with Jo Wagner, well-known journalist and photographer, and Project Manager of INDIA SUMMER DAYS.
Hop on and Hop off bus
Exploring a city has never been easier than with a Hop-On Hop-Off bus. This convenient sightseeing option allows travelers to explore major attractions at their own pace, hopping off at landmarks that catch their interest and rejoining the bus when ready.
Having experienced it in several cities worldwide (my favorites are Hong Kong and New York), I made sure not to miss it. The biggest advantage is exploring the city at your own pace. You can hop on and off at ten prominent stops in Karlsruhe: Station forecourt, ZKM/city gallery, Ettlinger Tor/Badisches Staatstheater, Market Square/tourist information, Europaplatz, Castle District/extended Waldhornstrasse, Creative Park Alter Slaughterhouse/Gottesaue Castle, Viewing Platform Turmberg, and Karlsburg/Old Town Durlach.
This red double-decker bus departs from the main station, and with the audio guide, you’ll hear interesting facts about Karlsruhe over two hours, including a short break at the Turmberg terrace viewing platform. Check out discounts offered by CityTour, including the exclusive “experience duo” for city tour and zoo visits.
Karlsruhe: UNESCO City of Media Arts
Karlsruhe is a city where media art in its many forms is part of life. With the ZKM Centre for Art and Media, it hosts one of the world’s most important media art institutions. Established in 1989, ZKM has become a global hub for contemporary media art, showcasing innovative projects that explore the intersection of creativity and digital technology. The centre hosts a variety of exhibitions, including interactive installations, digital art, sound experiments, and multimedia performances, offering visitors a unique, immersive experience. With programs for all ages, including workshops and educational events, ZKM actively encourages public engagement with contemporary art practices.
In 2019, Karlsruhe became the first—and so far only—city in Germany to be awarded the title Creative City of Media Arts by UNESCO and to join the international UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).
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