HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

Barcelona Zoo was first opened in 1892 and is visited by more than 1 million people each year, making it one of Barcelona's most popular attractions.

It is known as Parc Zoológic de Barcelona in Catalan and Parque Zoológico de Barcelona in Spanish.

It is located in the Parc de la Ciutadella in the center of Barcelona and in the past was known worldwide for being the home of the only known albino gorilla called Snowflake, who sadly died in 2003.

Today the zoo is set in 13 hectares and is home to more than 5,500 individual animals with over 400 different species.

Each animal in Barcelona Zoo has its own area. These areas have been designed to replicate the natural habitation of each and every animal.

Split into different areas, there are two routes you can take when visiting the zoo.

The short route is for those people who don't have much time but would still like to visit the zoo. The mapped out 2 hour route will enable you to see most of the popular animals and facilities within the Zoo.

The Long Route is for those people who don't want to miss a single part of the zoo. This route is a circular 5-hour route, including a stop for lunch, that begins at either of the two entrances to the Zoo.

The Komodos area houses a total of five animal species from Asia-Pacific.

It consists of two integrated enclosures that are home to the Komodo Dragons, Muntjac Deer and three different species of birds that are characteristically from the Asian continent, they include the Java Sparrow, the Pied Imperial Pigeon and the Nicobar Pigeon.

The Terrario (Reptile House) has Europe's largest collection of amphibians and reptiles.

Amongst others, you will get to see some small dragons, iguanas, poison dart frogs, spectacled caimans as well as a dwarf crocodile and various types of snakes like the boa and python.

In the Reptile House you can also see baby tortoises and snakes. This is because the zoo has an assisted reproduction room for animals that is open to the public for viewing.

The Aviario (Aviary) was built in the 1970's but underwent extensive renovation in 2002. This is when the Asian, American and African jungles came to Spain. Giving the 70 plus different species of birds a feeling of living back in the wild.

The Children's Zoo/Farm with it's goats, ponies, horses, asses, cows, pigs and sheep, is a favourite of the younger members of the family.

As well as the larger farm animals, there are rabbits, hamsters, field mice and other domestic animals to see.

At set times, children can enter the stables and have contact with the small goats or sheep under the supervision of a zoo-worker or they can enjoy a ride on a pony.

The Galleria de Titis (Titi Monkey Gallery) is one of the most visited areas in Barcelona Zoo. It was built in 1990 to house some of the smallest primates, the South American Titi Monkeys.

There are now seven species of these primates living together in the gallery, they include the Goeldi Monkey, the White faced Monkey, the Pygmy Marmoset, the Emperor Tamarin Monkey and the Golden Headed Lion Tamarin to name a few.

The Gorilles (Gorillas) area is an exhibition zone dedicated solely to the Gorilla. Opened in 2006, adults and children alike can use interactive systems to learn first hand how these amazing creatures survive on a daily basis.

The Pequeños Primates (Small Primates) Gallery is the home of the Brazza, the White Nosed, the Red, the Barbary and the Talapoin Monkeys as well as the Siamang and the Collared Mangabey.

When you visit this area you will see these small primates eating and playing as they climb up and speed down ropes. This will all be witnessed as you walk through a covered passage with glass walls.

The Palmeral is a set of thirteen aviaries where a large number of psittaciform species live. Some of these are the White Cockatoo, the Triton Cockatoo, the Red Fronted Macaw and the Yellow Cheeked Parrot from Ecuador.

The Flight Dome is a large area where different species of birds inhabit swamp areas.

The combination of grasslands and water zones make for the perfect environment for breeding several native species, who are later reintroduced into the natural parks of Catalan.

The dome was built in 1985 with the support of the CSIC (Spanish Natural Research Council) of the ICONA ( Nature Conservation Institute) and enables the recovery of endangered species that had disappeared from the area many years ago , but are now being reintroduced.

The Garden of Biodiversity is an area designed for the animals living in the city of Barcelona. A quiet place with very little human intervention, to help guarantee it’s correct maintenance.

Visitors and animals will also find many nest boxes and feeders in this area, where animals can take shelter, feed and even reproduce.

A small lake surrounded by cane and other natural vegetation can also be found here. This is where the three most common amphibian species of the zoo breed, they include the midwife toad, the Mediterranean tree frog and the Iberian green frog.

Opening Times

Barcelona Zoo and box office is open every day of the year from 10am. Closing times throughout the year do vary, so please go to the website to check these.

Book your tickets online to get a 10% discount on entry prices.

Prices

Adults:- 21.40 euros
Children (3-12 years):- 12.95 euros
Under 3 years:- FREE
Functional Diversity:- 5.65 euros
Seniors (65+):- 10,50 euros
Pink Card holders with reduced rate:- 4.60euros
Pink Card holders:- Free entry
Annual membership is also available by signing up to the Zoo Club.
Zoo club membership gives you unlimited entry for the whole year. Please see the website for pricing as they are many options available.

How To Get There

The Barcelona Zoo is in the Park of the Ciutadella in central Barcelona. There are two entrances, One through the Park of the Ciutadella and the other by Carrer Wellington, next to the Passeig de Circumvallació (ring road).

Buses

D12, H14, H16, V21, V27
Metro Stations
L4 - Barceloneta and Ciutadella-Vila Olímpica
L1 - Marina and Arc de Triomf
By Tram: Ciutadella - Vila Olímpica (T4)
By Train (RENFE Stations): Arc de Triomf and Estació de França
Contact Details
Barcelona Zoo
Parc de la Ciutadella s/n
08003 Barcelona
Telephone: 937 065 656
https://www.zoobarcelona.cat/en/home

Featured image courtesy of Barcelona Zoo (Facebook)