Ishøj Dyrepark
Free, family-friendly animal park and green oasis in Ishøj, where Highland cattle, goats and history share meadows, playgrounds and easy walking paths.
Ishøj Dyrepark is a free, family-friendly animal park and green oasis on the edge of Tranegilde in Ishøj. Spread across former royal hunting grounds, it combines grazing Highland cattle, marsh sheep, and goats with meadows, small woodland, and a popular nature playground. A striking red, Chinese-inspired portal recycled from old Tivoli in Copenhagen marks the entrance, while historic stones, gravel paths, and picnic-friendly clearings make this a gentle nature escape close to the city.
A brief summary to Ishøj Dyrepark
- Brentevej 28, Ishøj, 2635, DK
- +4543577777
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 3 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Bring your own snacks and drinks; there are picnic-friendly grassy areas and benches but no on-site café inside the animal park itself.
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for gravel and grassy paths, which can become muddy after rain, especially near the animal enclosures.
- If visiting with children, allow extra time for the nature playground, which is a highlight and can easily extend your stay by an hour.
- Visit in spring or early summer to see young animals in the fields and enjoy the meadows at their greenest and most colorful.
- Respect fences and signs around the animals, and supervise children closely, especially near the larger Highland cattle.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Seating Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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S-train and short bus ride from Copenhagen
From central Copenhagen, take the S-train line A towards Solrød Strand or Køge and get off at Ishøj Station; the ride usually takes 20–25 minutes. From the station, local buses toward Tranegilde or the surrounding residential areas run roughly every 15–30 minutes during the day and bring you close to Brentevej in about 5–10 minutes. A standard one-way adult ticket within the city and Ishøj zones typically costs around 24–40 DKK depending on your ticket type. From the nearest bus stop, expect a short, level walk on paved and gravel paths; this option suits most visitors, including families with prams.
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Bicycle from Ishøj Station or along the coastal area
For a more active approach, rent or bring a bicycle and ride from Ishøj Station to Ishøj Dyrepark. The route is roughly 3–4 km and usually takes 10–20 minutes at a relaxed pace, following local cycle paths through suburban streets and green corridors. The terrain is flat but can be windy, especially if you combine the park visit with a detour via Strandparken along the coast. There is typically informal bike parking near the entrance area, but no staffed facilities, so bring your own lock and be prepared for outdoor conditions year-round.
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Car or taxi within Greater Copenhagen
Drivers coming from Greater Copenhagen can reach Ishøj Dyrepark in about 20–30 minutes in light traffic, using the main ring and motorway network toward Ishøj and following signs for the Tranegilde area. Parking is generally available near Brentevej in simple, outdoor spaces without height restrictions, but it may fill up on sunny weekends and school holidays. A taxi from the city centre will typically take a similar amount of time and cost in the range of 250–400 DKK one way, depending on traffic and time of day. Surfaces from the parking area into the park are mainly gravel and grass, so consider footwear for wet weather.
Ishøj Dyrepark location weather suitability
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Hot Weather
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Cold Weather
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Any Weather
Discover more about Ishøj Dyrepark
A green pocket of countryside in suburban Ishøj
Ishøj Dyrepark feels like a slice of rural Denmark tucked into the outskirts of Greater Copenhagen. Set on roughly 30 tønder land of open meadows and light woodland, it is laid out as a gently undulating landscape crossed by a network of firm gravel paths. These trails loop between paddocks, copses and small clearings, so even a short stroll gives a sense of space and fresh air despite the urban surroundings. The park’s primary purpose is nature management: the animals are not here as an intensive zoo collection, but as four‑legged gardeners keeping Ishøj’s grasslands open and diverse. That gives the area a relaxed, unfussy feel. Fences are low, views are wide, and there is plenty of room to wander, pause and simply watch the animals at work.Meet Highland cattle, sheep and cheerful goats
Instead of exotic species, Ishøj Dyrepark focuses on hardy, traditional breeds that thrive outdoors year-round. Shaggy Scottish Highland cattle with sweeping horns graze calmly through the fields, their long coats rippling in the coastal wind. Nearby, marsh sheep move in loose flocks, trimming the grass more closely and helping create varied habitat. Two goat breeds add extra character: African dwarf goats and Danish landrace goats, both curious and lively. At certain enclosures you can stand close enough to hear their bleats, hoofbeats and the clink of horns. The animals are overseen by dedicated keepers, who care for their welfare and sometimes share stories with visiting children about how each species supports the landscape.Playful corners and room for slow picnics
Beyond the paddocks, the park doubles as an easy-going outdoor playground. A nature play area is tucked among the trees, built mainly from logs and natural materials. Balancing beams, simple obstacle elements and climbing features invite children to scramble, test their courage and invent their own games away from screens. Elsewhere, grassy patches and benches provide informal picnic spots. Families often spread out on rugs near the edges of the paths, keeping an eye on both the animals and the playground in the same outing. The overall pace is unhurried: you can come for a brief loop walk or let an entire afternoon drift by between snacks, play and short exploratory walks.From royal hunting grounds to modern animal park
The landscape hides traces of a much older story. Parts of Ishøj Dyrepark once belonged to the royal hunting grounds that surrounded Copenhagen. Near the western edge of the park stands a historic hunting boundary stone, a protected monument erected in 1775 by King Christian VII to mark the king’s sole right to hunt in the area. It is a modest feature but a tangible reminder of how controlled these landscapes once were. For a period in the 20th century, the park also served as a relief area for animals from Copenhagen Zoo, giving them space and calm when the city enclosures became too cramped. Today, those days are past, but the idea of the park as a place of rest and recovery lingers in its quiet paths and low-key character.The Tivoli gate reborn in the fields
One of Ishøj Dyrepark’s most surprising features greets you at the entrance: a distinctive red, Chinese-inspired portal. This ornate structure was originally built for a world exhibition in Copenhagen in 1888 and later stood for decades at Tivoli’s main entrance. When Tivoli updated its gateway in the 1930s, the portal migrated to a roadside inn near Ishøj Strand as an eye-catching landmark. After the inn burned down in the 1970s, the municipality rescued the gate, restored it and eventually placed it here in the open green surroundings of the park. Raised on sturdy pine posts, it now serves as an unusual blend of design history and rural setting, framing your arrival and giving the park a memorable visual identity.An easy, no-cost escape for families and walkers
Entry to Ishøj Dyrepark is free, making it an accessible outing for local families, dog walkers and anyone in need of a straightforward nature fix. The paths are generally flat and well-defined, suitable for prams and most wheelchairs in dry conditions, and you can tailor your route from a quick 30‑minute loop to a longer meander. The park connects naturally with the wider green areas around Tranegilde and the coast, so it can be part of a longer day outdoors or a simple stand-alone visit. Whether you come to let young children burn off energy, to photograph shaggy cattle at golden hour, or simply to breathe and listen to birdsong, Ishøj Dyrepark offers a calm, uncomplicated encounter with animals and landscape close to the city.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Havneholmen 33
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Copenhagen Central Station
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Unmissable attractions to see
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ARKEN Museum of Contemporary Art
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Friendly Teddy by Thomas Dambo nr. 14.
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Vestskoven
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Vikingelandsbyen
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Herstedhøje
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Mosede Fort
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Sleeping Louis by Thomas Dambo - Troll #12
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Tysmosen Naturist Camping FKK
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Glade Anders
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Kalveboderne
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Valbyparken
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Valby Beach
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Essential places to dine
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Cafe 33
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Enomania
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Restaurant Frederiks Have
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Frederiksberg’s cherished fine dining hub, blending Nordic tradition with modern cuisine in a welcoming, neighborhood setting—perfect for an authentic Danish gastronomic experience.
Hansens Gamle Familiehave
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Hansens Gamle Familiehave—a historic Frederiksberg garden restaurant famed for classic Danish cuisine, family-friendly charm, and over 170 years of tradition in scenic surroundings.
Restaurant Vandvid
13.7 km
Organic, seasonal Nordic cooking served on a gently rocking houseboat in Sydhavnen, where harbor life, simple design and water views frame every meal.
Ewalds Brasserie
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Frederik the VI
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Bevi Bevi
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Restaurant Polly København
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Restaurant Spuntino
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Madklubben Vesterbro
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Delphine
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Kødbyens Fiskebar
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Copenhagen Designer Outlet
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Rødovre Centrum
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Royal Copenhagen - Outlet
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Frederiksberg Centret
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Funky Junky
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Flying Tiger Copenhagen
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Artikel København
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Fisketorvet Copenhagen Mall
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Bonde Boutique
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RO's Torv
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Field's
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C. G. Nordic clothing and gifts
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Souvenir Gift Shop
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
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Cafe Intime
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Berlin Bar
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The House of Machines Copenhagen
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Duck and Cover - Cocktailbar
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Gensyn Bar
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Relaxing
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Fun-filled
- Casual
- Unique
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Rustic Designs
For the architecture buff
- Parks & Gardens
- Landmarks
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
- Instagrammable
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Eco-Friendly
- Low Impact
- Protected Area
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
- Wildlife Habitat
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Mindfulness
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Nature Escape
- Roadtrip Stop
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
