Zoo de Barcelona

The Barcelona Zoo, also known as Zoo de Barcelona or Parc Zoològic de Barcelona, is a fun attraction for all ages. Walk among chimpanzees, lions, tigers, hippos, and giraffes, and explore the world’s most beautiful fauna and flora in a fun way. You can also see animals native to Spain, such as the Catalan donkey, Spanish ibex, and the Iberian wolf!

What to See and Do at Barcelona Zoo

The city zoo is a popular place among locals for a day out with the family, offering active and educational enjoyment. Tourists can also delight in the zoo experience!

Animal Spotting

The zoo, home to over two hundred different animal species, is divided into eleven distinct areas:

• Terra de Dragons: Features Asian species such as giant Komodo dragons and muntjac deer.
• Terrari: Showcases a large collection of amphibians and reptiles, from small dragons like iguanas, frogs, and turtles to large caimans, crocodiles, and various types of giant snakes, such as pythons and boas.
• Aviari: An area with more than 70 bird species from different continents.
• Granja: The zoo’s farm where children can interact with animals like goats, sheep, rabbits, cows, pigs, ponies, horses, donkeys, and even field mice and hamsters. It’s a favorite spot for children and toddlers.
• Espai goril.les: A gorilla exhibit where you can learn about this fascinating species, the closest to humans, including an interesting display of drawings made by the park’s gorillas.
• Galeria de primats: A complex of naturalized areas where different types of monkeys live, such as the brazza monkey, dwarf monkey, siamang, and red-capped mangabey.
• Galeria de titís: This popular zoo area showcases various primates like the spring tamarin, silk monkeys, pygmy marmosets, golden-headed lion tamarins, emperor tamarins, red-handed tamarins, and marmoset monkeys.
• Palmerar: In the thirteen bird cages of the Palmerar, you can admire all sorts of exotic birds like cockatoos, macaws, and parrots.
• Aquarama: Here you can marvel at sea lions and various fish species from the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic coasts.
• Ocellera de vol: A large oval dome housing various bird species that inhabit wetlands.
• Jardí de la Biodiversitat: This last space was designed to promote native flora and fauna of Barcelona, a tranquil garden where animals can roam with less human disturbance.

The zoo provides maps and ample information about the various animal species, which you can share with your children.

There is also a train that runs through the entire zoo, and you can rent golf carts, convenient when your legs start to tire!

If you’re hungry, there are several restaurants and cafes to visit. If you’ve brought your own food, there are picnic areas available.

Children’s Activities

The Barcelona Zoo is perfect for a family outing. Not only educational but also super fun for kids! Especially the zoo’s farm is a child-friendly place where children can interact with and care for animals (open every Saturday, Sunday, school holidays, and public holidays from 11:00 to 11:30 am in Spanish and from 11:30 to 12:00 pm in Catalan).

Various activities are organized at the Barcelona Zoo, specifically for children. Check their agenda or pay attention to announcements made over the loudspeaker system (for example, when they are going to feed the penguins or exercise the elephants!).

You can also celebrate a child’s birthday at the zoo or sign them up for fun extracurricular activities!

The zoo also has several playgrounds and all the facilities a family with small children might need, such as changing areas with baby changing tables and stroller rental services.

History of Barcelona Zoo

The origins of the Barcelona Zoo date back to the donation of an exotic and wild animal collection by Lluís Martí Codolar in 1892. Zoo de Barcelona first opened its doors in September 1892, on the site freed up after the 1888 World Exhibition in Parc de la Ciutadella.

Of all the animals that have lived in this zoo over the years, Copito de Nieve (or Floquet de Neu, Snowflake in English), the famous albino gorilla from Barcelona, remains the most popular. Snowflake became Barcelona’s mascot and attracted thousands to the zoo to see this rare species. However, he died in November 2003 due to a severe skin condition.

In 2006, the city decided to close the outdated dolphinarium, making it no longer possible to attend dolphin shows. This was a clear step forward in the policy for animal rights in zoos.

Barcelona Zoo Tickets

Tickets for the Barcelona Zoo can be purchased at the ticket counters on site or in advance online. The latter option guarantees your tickets and avoids waiting in line at the ticket counter. Plus, if you order online, you get a discount on your entrance tickets!

Note: For group reservations (for more than 10 children or 20 adults), contact zoobarcelona@bsmsa.cat.

How to Get to Barcelona Zoo

The Barcelona Zoo is located in Parc de la Ciutadella, one of the most beautiful and fun parks in the city. A visit to the zoo can be conveniently combined with a stroll in Ciutadella Park and a visit to the nearby El Born neighborhood. If you’re coming by metro, the closest metro station is Ciutadella | Vila Olímpica (L4). Enter the zoo via the entrance on Carrer Wellington.

If you want to visit the park first and then the zoo, take the metro to Arc de Triomf (L1), which is at the main entrance of Parc de la Ciutadella.