Unspecified/General

Occupying a large section of the Parc de la Ciutadella in the heart of Barcelona, the city zoo has been a fixture of family life since it opened in 1892, set within the green expanse of one of the city's most important parks. The zoo houses several thousand animals across hundreds of species, ranging from big cats, primates and large herbivores to reptiles, birds, amphibians and aquatic creatures, displayed in a mixture of enclosures and habitats spread through the landscaped grounds. Over its long history the zoo became famous worldwide as the home of Snowflake, the only known albino gorilla, who lived there from the 1960s until his death in 2003 and became a beloved symbol of the city, drawing visitors from far and wide. In keeping with the broader evolution of zoos, the institution has shifted its emphasis over the years toward conservation, education and animal welfare, participating in international breeding programmes for endangered species, improving its enclosures and reducing its collection of large animals less suited to its urban setting, while developing its role in environmental education. The zoo offers a programme of activities, talks, feeding sessions and educational experiences aimed particularly at children and school groups, fostering awareness of biodiversity and conservation. Its setting within the Ciutadella park, itself a popular green space with gardens, a boating lake, a monumental cascade fountain in whose creation the young Gaudi had a hand, and the building that houses the Catalan parliament, allows visitors to combine a zoo visit with time in the wider park. Located near the El Born district, the waterfront and the Estacio de Franca, and easily reached on foot or by metro, the zoo draws families and visitors throughout the year across every season of the calendar. Tickets can be booked online, and the setting within the Ciutadella park, with its gardens, lake and monumental fountain, allows visitors to combine the zoo with a wider day in one of the city's most popular green spaces throughout the year across every season.

Type: Tourist Attraction

Address: Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona, Spain

Telephone: +34 902 45 75 45

Website: https://www.zoobarcelona.cat/

Opening Date: 24/09/1892