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Monkey World (Hillerød Mini Zoo)

Intimate mini zoo and rescue garden near Hillerød, where playful monkeys, colourful parrots and peaceful Japanese-style greenery create a close-up family wildlife escape.

4.5

Monkey World, also known as Hillerød Mini Zoo, is an intimate animal park and private rescue center set in lush gardens just outside Hillerød. Here you come face to face with monkeys, parrots, small mammals and farm animals in cozy, flower-filled enclosures, including a tranquil Japanese garden and a compact tropical “rainforest” zone. Hands-on feeding, close-up encounters and a relaxed, therapeutic atmosphere make it a standout family experience in North Sealand.

A brief summary to Monkey World

  • Nejedevej 20, Hillerød, 3400, DK
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 2 to 4 hours
  • Budget
  • Environment icon Mixed
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 11 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 11 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 11 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 11 am-5 pm
  • Friday 11 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 11 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 11 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Buy an animal feed package at the entrance so you can participate fully in the supervised feeding experiences with goats, small primates and birds.
  • Aim to arrive close to opening time, especially on weekends and school holidays, for a quieter atmosphere and more relaxed animal encounters.
  • Wear comfortable, closed footwear; paths can be slightly uneven or damp in places, and you may be standing for animal talks and handling sessions.
  • Bring a picnic if you prefer simple, flexible meal options; there are benches and tables in the garden where outside food is welcome.
  • Remind children to move calmly and speak softly around the animals; the park emphasises a low-stress, therapeutic environment for its rescued residents.
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Getting There

  • Regional train and local bus from Copenhagen

    From central Copenhagen, take a regional train toward Hillerød; the journey usually takes around 40–45 minutes and is covered by standard zone tickets or travel cards. From Hillerød Station, transfer to a local bus toward the Nejedevej area; typical ride time is 15–25 minutes depending on route and traffic, with single tickets generally in the range of 24–36 DKK. Services run regularly during the day, but timetables can be reduced on evenings and weekends, so check departure times in advance.

  • Local bus from Hillerød town centre

    If you are already in Hillerød, use the town’s local bus network to reach the Nejedevej stop closest to the park. Most buses from the centre take about 15–20 minutes, and you can pay onboard or with a travel card, with fares typically around 24–30 DKK for a short trip. Buses may run less frequently in the middle of the day or on Sundays, so allow extra time and be prepared for a short walk on a country-style road from the nearest stop.

  • Car or taxi from Hillerød and Copenhagen region

    Arriving by car from Hillerød town usually takes around 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic, using main roads followed by smaller rural stretches near Nejedevej. From northern Copenhagen suburbs, plan for approximately 30–40 minutes’ driving time in normal conditions. Parking at small attractions of this type is commonly free or low-cost, but spaces can fill on sunny weekends and school holidays. A taxi from Hillerød Station will often take under 15 minutes; fares within the local area typically fall in the range of 120–200 DKK each way, depending on time of day and traffic.

Monkey World location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Any Weather
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Discover more about Monkey World

A pocket-sized animal refuge in North Sealand

Monkey World, tucked along Nejedevej outside Hillerød, is far more intimate than a traditional zoo. Built up over years using mainly reclaimed materials, it feels like a personal passion project rather than a polished theme park. Paths weave between lush planting, small ponds and flower beds, with enclosures tucked into the greenery instead of dominating it. The scale is modest, but the sense of being close to the animals is immediate. At its heart, the park functions as a private rescue center, taking in animals that have previously lived under poor or stressful conditions. That background shapes the park’s philosophy: this is a place where calm is prized, both for the sake of the animals and visitors. You are encouraged to slow down, observe quietly and enjoy the garden setting as much as the wildlife.

Rescued animals and remarkably close encounters

The stars here are the monkeys: small primates that watch you with bright curiosity and, in some areas, may hop closer than you expect. Carefully managed feeding experiences let you offer food to selected species, sometimes with keepers explaining each animal’s story and quirks. Rather than long-distance viewing from behind heavy barriers, many encounters are at eye level, separated by light fencing or mesh. Colourful parrots and toucans bring a tropical feel, their calls echoing around the paths. In the Japanese garden, peacocks stride across the lawns while soft-furred rabbits and other small animals can be fed gently with purchased feed. A handful of more unusual residents, such as reptiles or owls, may appear in short handling sessions where staff introduce them at close range, turning curiosity into concrete knowledge about behaviour and welfare.

Japanese garden calm and tropical corner adventure

One of the park’s signatures is its Japanese-inspired garden, a surprisingly tranquil pocket with winding paths, decorative planting and carefully placed benches. Here the emphasis shifts slightly from spectacle to stillness: birds roam more freely, wind chimes or gentle water sounds mingle with rustling leaves, and it is easy to forget how close you are to town. Another highlight is the compact indoor “rainforest” environment, where heat and humidity rise and foliage presses in around narrow walkways. From here you can watch agile monkeys clamber through climbing structures and ropes overhead, mimicking the layered feel of a forest canopy. The combination of intimate scale and immersive planting can be especially memorable for younger visitors experiencing a tropical setting for the first time.

Hands-on family fun in a relaxed setting

Monkey World leans into its role as a family park. Children can act as mini keepers for a few hours by helping feed goats, rabbits and other approachable animals using feed packs sold at the entrance. Simple playground-style elements and informal seating areas encourage families to linger rather than rush from enclosure to enclosure. Food is intentionally low-key: think simple fast-food options, ice creams and drinks, supplemented by the option to bring your own picnic. Benches and picnic tables are scattered among the greenery, so you can eat within sight of enclosures or in quieter corners of the garden. The atmosphere is more like visiting an oversized private garden with animals than a conventional attraction.

A therapeutic mission behind the scenes

Behind the playful branding lies a more serious social mission. The park was created by a local founder who wanted to build a space that could support people dealing with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem or other challenges. For years, the site was run with extensive voluntary effort, welcoming vulnerable visitors and hosting therapeutic activities among the animals. That ethos continues in the way the park is run today. Staff devote time to daily training and enrichment for the animals, not for showmanship but to maintain trust and reduce stress. The garden-like setting, sensory richness and emphasis on gentle interaction make Monkey World an unusual blend of mini zoo, refuge and outdoor therapy space—a small, heartfelt project that feels distinctly personal within Denmark’s broader landscape of family attractions.

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