The interest in dinosaurs have been unabated since British naturalist Richard Owen called a group of ancient reptiles by this name which means “terrible lizards”. This is not surprising as these animals had been the dominant life forms on Earth throughout the Mesozoic era, in the geological middle age for millions of years. Their oldest representatives appeared at the end of the Triassic period 233 million years ago, while the last surviving dinosaurs went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period 65-66 million years ago. This is a relatively sudden event by geological standards.
Dinosaur remains were discovered even in ancient times of human history but their scientific study only began at the end of the 18th century. Today paleontologists have identified around 900 different dinosaur species and their number continues to grow with new discoveries. The researchers are uncovering more and more fossilized bones, and we are learning continuously not only about how these prehistoric creatures looked like, but also about how they lived, what they ate and how they cared for their offspring.
Meanwhile, dinosaurs continue to captivate popular culture, inspiring books, films, and works of art. Among books, Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1912 classic The Lost World and Michael Crichton’s 1990 novel Jurassic Park have been the most influential.
Dinosaur exhibitions are popular attractions everywhere, promising an exciting adventure for both children and adults. These exhibitions typically showcase prehistoric creatures whose most famous representatives have been discovered in the United States, Canada, Portugal, Tanzania or Australia. However, only few people know that the name of Iharkút, a tiny, former village in Hungary, is also on the list of famous dinosaur sites. While even preschoolers can flawlessly name the T-rex, Oviraptor and Hadrosaurus, very few have heard about Ajkaceratops, Hungarosaurus, Bakonydraco or Foxemys trabanti. These are also dinosaurs and other prehistoric reptiles, world-famous Hungarian paleontological discoveries.
Visitors can see giant, often life-sized models of the most famous dinosaurs at the exhibition entitled Őslény körút 16., organized by the Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden. In addition, the exhibition offers a glimpse into Hungarian dinosaur research, showcasing findings from the Iharkút excavations, made possible through the collaboration of the Hungarian Dinosaur Foundation and the Zoo Foundation.
The prehistoric experience is enhanced by interactive excavations and various educational programs. Visitors who explore the giant reconstructions, track the moving models, watch educational films, try out the paleontology-themed mini playground, and immerse themselves in the VR prehistoric world will gain not only unforgettable experiences but also valuable knowledge. A unique feature of the exhibition is that the visitors can also encounter dragons. This highlights how legends, myths and folktales about these mythical beings were often inspired by the misinterpretation of ancient animal bones discovered long before modern science emerged.
The Dino Safari brings to life the world of Earth 100-200 million years ago with the most advanced VR technology available today. An unforgettable time travel adventure to the land of dinosaurs, where you can walk freely among the dinos and experience a prehistoric tour with the help of experienced guides. Using the latest VR technology, we bring to life an unknown, secret era of prehistory, which you can explore together with your friends and family, traveling millions of years into the virtual space. You can search for the remains of a lost expedition, explore an ancient world long disappeared, meet long-extinct beasts... and even touch them.
The experience is available only for children aged 6 and above and with a minimum height of 100 cm, accompanied by a person aged at least 18. Additional tickets can be purchased on-site and through the Zoo's online ticketing platform. Tickets are not tied to a specific time slot, and entry is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to this, waiting times should be expected on weekends.
Will you find mini-dinos or other finds in the prehistoric sandbox? There are countless finds hidden in the sand which you can dig up and clean with a hammer, chisel and brush like a real paleontologists. If you succeed you can even take one with you as a souvenir. Five children can play at the mini-excavation at the same time under the supervision of an adult, and the supplies necessary for uncovering the finds can be collected on site. The game is free.
The exhibition will be open from February 14 to March 30, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and the exhibition’s final day. Please note that the exhibition will be closed on Thursday, February 27. To ensure enough time to explore the exhibition, we recommend starting your visit at least one hour before closing. Onsite ticket sales will also close one hour before the exhibition closes each evening.
The exhibition takes place at the Biodome, which is part of the Zoo. However, the entrance is not at the usual Zoo gates but near the Hermina Road end of Állatkerti körút, at Állatkerti körút 16. Tickets can be purchased online through the Zoo’s official ticketing website or onsite during the exhibition period from 10:00 AM until one hour before closing, except on February 27, when on-site ticket sales will be suspended.
The Biodome is best reached by public Transport:
Please visit the Budapest Public Transport Center (BKK) website for more details on public transport.
If you arrive by car you can use the Parkoló Zoona parking lot, located to the right of the Biodome entrance, or the paid parking spaces on surrounding streets. More parking information is available on the official website.
The main dome of the Biodome, which hosts the exhibition, can accommodate a maximum of 900 visitors at the same time. While this is a generous capacity, if the number of visitors inside reaches this limit, further entry will only be allowed at the pace of exiting visitors. Priority entry will be given to those who have purchased their tickets in advance, rather than at the door right before entry.
We primarily recommend purchasing tickets through the Zoo’s online ticketing platform, where you can pay with a bank card or SZÉP card. Those who would like to purchase tickets onsite can do so during the opening hours of Őslény körút 16, until one hour before closing, using the KIOSK machine at the entrance of the Biodóm. The machine accepts bank cards, SZÉP cards and cash payments. If you wish to buy tickets before the exhibition opens, you can use the KIOSK ticket machines located at the Zoo’s ticket offices. Tickets must be used by March 30, 2025. Tickets cannot be refunded. Zoo membership passes and tickets for general zoo visits are not valid for entry to te exhibition. Various discounts are available for different groups of visitors, such as children, students, seniors over 65, and groups of 10 or more people. Apart from the advertised discounts, no additional reductions are available for the event.
Adult ticket: 5 500 HUF
Discounted ticket: 3 900 HUF (Discounted tickets are available to students, higher education students and pensioners based on old-age or other rights as well as to group of 10 (ten) or more.)
Baby ticket: 400 HUF (Mandatory for children under 2 years old.)
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