Barcelona Zoo

Barcelona Zoo was based on the private menagerie owned by the banker Lluís Martí i Codolar, who in 1892 transferred ownership of his animals to Barcelona City Council. Over its history its main attractions have included an elephant called Avi, who died in 1914, a killer whale called Ulisses, who was kept at the zoo from 1983 to 1994, and the emblematic Floquet de Neu, known internationally as Snowflake, who lived at Barcelona Zoo from 1966 to his death in 2003 and was the first albino gorilla known to man.

Currently, Barcelona Zoo has ten spaces that reproduce the ideal environment for the various species to which they are home:

• Land of Dragons: with species from Asia and the Pacific, including Komodo dragons and Muntjac deer.
• Terrarium: it houses one of the best collections of amphibians and reptiles in Europe.
• Aviarium: it is home to more than 70 species of birds from different continents. The aviary enjoys a high rate of reproductive success, even with species that are in danger of extinction, allowing Barcelona Zoo to send nestlings to populate other zoos.
• Farm: a space for children where you can find goats, cows, ponies, lambs, pigs, horses, asses and even a Catalan donkey.
• Gorillas area: a space with interactive elements to discover how the primates closest to humans in terms of intelligence and feelings live.
• Primates gallery and marmosets gallery: you will see De Brazza’s monkeys, greater spot-nosed monkeys, Barbary macaques and talapoins, among others, in addition to South American tamarins.
• Palmeral: a set of thirteen aviaries in a palm tree garden that are home to a large number of species of parrots and cockatoos.
• Aquarama: the home of Barcelona Zoo’s sea lions.
• Flight dome: a large dome where you can observe various species of birds that live in marshlands.
• Garden of biodiversity: a space designed to encourage the growth of fauna indigenous to the city of Barcelona.

In addition to these spaces, Barcelona Zoo is also home to large mammals such as hippopotamuses, gazelles, giraffes, leopards, lions, elephants, meerkats, and rhinoceroses.

Discover the most special animals

At the Barcelona Zoo you can enjoy one of the most complete and important animal collections in Europe. 

Kids will be thrilled to see their favourite animals on the farm: goats, sheep, pigs, horses and donkeys. They will learn how they live, what they eat, what their habits are and everything else they want to know about them. At the Barcelona Zoo, they will find answers to all their questions. 

The Palmeral is an ideal garden for strolling through and closely observing the bird species that live here from different points and changing perspectives. You'll be amazed by the bright colours of the cockatoos, parakeets, macaws and parrots. Outdoor plants and the presence of other birds create a sense confusion for visitors. When you step into the Palmeral, you'll have the feeling of total immersion!

A group of animals that awakens our interest more than any other, because they are so similar to us, are primates. These animals are found in the small primate area. Currently, different types of monkeys such as De Brazza's monkeys, guenons, talapoins, siamangs, collared mangabeys and titi monkeys live there.

In addition, you can also observe different marine aquariums with the most emblematic fish and invertebrates of the Mediterranean coast and the Atlantic. 

How do you get to Barcelona Zoo?

The Port Olímpic - Zoo stop on the Red Route of Barcelona Bus Turístic is very close to the zoo’s entrance.

Barcelona Zoo opening times, prices and tickets 

The Barcelona Zoo is open every day of the year. Opening times vary depending on the season, given that sunlight rather than the clock governs the animals' lives.The zoo therefore opens its gates at the same time every day but its closing time varies. 
If you're planning to visit the Barcelona Zoo, you should also know there are different general prices depending on the visitor's age, as well as a special rate for Zoo Club members. 

All the information about hours, prices and buying tickets (at the ticket office and online), offers and discounts, becoming a member of the Zoo Club and planning your visit can be found on the Barcelona Zoo official website.  

For the most curious of you

• Did you know? Barcelona Zoo participates in 97 ex-situ endangered species conservation programmes and is one of the sites of the Jane Goodall Institute.
• Local’s tip: Before going to the zoo, consult the times of the activities scheduled for that day so you don’t miss anything!
• A must: To see and learn about exotic species, some of which are in danger of extinction.