# Barcelona Zoo > Barcelona Zoo opened in 1892 in Parc de la Ciutadella, a short walk from El Born and the sea. Its 13 hectares are home to hundreds of species, gorillas, elephants, giraffes, lions and hippos among them, plus a reptile terrarium and a children's farm. Entry is ticketed; allow 2 to 3 hours. It's one of the best family outings in central Barcelona. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/barcelona-zoo - City: [Barcelona](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona), Spain - YesGo score: 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 2 h 30 min - Opening hours: Daily - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Paid, cheaper online - Highlights: Gorillas, elephants, giraffes, the terrarium, the farm - Time needed: 2–3 hours - Area: ≈ 13 ha - With kids: Children's zoo and playgrounds - Location: Parc de la Ciutadella, Ciutadella metro (L4) - Coordinates: 41.38788, 2.19119 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1892** — the zoo opened (source: English Wikipedia) - **≈ 13 ha** — area of the zoo (source: English Wikipedia) - **Hundreds** — of animal species (source: English Wikipedia) - **Ciutadella** — it fills the park's southern part (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Barcelona Zoo The zoo opened in **1892** in the southern part of [Parc de la Ciutadella](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/parc-de-la-ciutadella), on the grounds of the former Universal Exposition. Today it covers about **13 hectares** and is among the oldest zoos in Spain. Hundreds of species from every continent live here, and the zoo takes part in European breeding programmes for rare animals. In recent years the enclosures have been made larger and more natural, with new savannah and rainforest areas. It's right in the centre: five minutes from El Born and ten from Barceloneta beach. That makes it easy to combine with a walk around the old town or along the seafront, and tired children don't face a long trip back to the hotel. ## What to see at the zoo The stars are the **gorillas** and other great apes, which you can watch through the glass of their enclosure. Nearby is an African savannah with **giraffes**, zebras and antelopes, enclosures for **elephants**, lions and hippos, and islands of lemurs. The indoor **terrarium** houses snakes, crocodiles, tortoises and monitor lizards, including Komodo dragons. For little ones there's a **children's zoo**, a farm of goats, sheep and ponies to stroke, plus playgrounds. Flamingos and pelicans live by the ponds in the middle of the zoo. ## What to see at Barcelona Zoo - **Gorillas** — a large family of great apes. - **The savannah** — giraffes, zebras and antelopes. - **Elephants and hippos** — the biggest residents. - **The terrarium** — snakes, crocodiles and Komodo dragons. - **The children's farm** — goats, sheep and ponies. - **Flamingos** — pink birds by the pond. > **Buying tickets** Tickets are sold on the zoo's site and at the gate, usually cheaper online. Young children get in free or at a reduced price. Pick up a map at the entrance showing feeding times, which are well worth catching. ## Planning your visit The animals are most active in the morning, just after opening, and towards evening when the heat eases. At midday many retreat to the shade. In summer, start with the indoor terrarium and the shaded enclosures and save the savannah for morning or evening. The route around the zoo is a loop, and you can see everything in 2 to 3 hours. There are cafés, picnic spots and playgrounds, and the paths are pushchair-friendly. With small children, split the visit: the farm and playgrounds first, then the big animals. ## How to get to the zoo 1. Metro: **Ciutadella | Vila Olímpica** station on line L4 (yellow), a 5-minute walk. 2. Or **Arc de Triomf** metro (L1), through Parc de la Ciutadella, 15 minutes. 3. From [Barceloneta](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/barceloneta) beach, about 15 minutes on foot. 4. The main entrance is on the sea side of the park. ## Tips for your visit In summer bring a hat and water, as some paths are in the sun. In winter the zoo is calm and quiet, though some animals may stay indoors. Feeding the animals isn't allowed and loud noises frighten them, so explain this to children beforehand. After the zoo, walk into Parc de la Ciutadella for the cascade and the rowing lake, then on to the Arc de Triomf or the beach. It makes a whole family day in the centre without long journeys on public transport. Many families do the zoo in the morning, lunch in Barceloneta and the beach or the aquarium in Port Vell in the afternoon. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Buy tickets online - [ ] Arrive at opening, while the animals are active - [ ] Check the feeding times - [ ] Visit the terrarium - [ ] Row a boat in Parc de la Ciutadella afterwards ## Places in Barcelona: compare and choose Places in Barcelona rated by YesGo. - [Park Güell](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/park-guell) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid - [Montjuïc](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/montjuic) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Free - [Parc de la Ciutadella](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/parc-de-la-ciutadella) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 1 h 15 min · Free - [Barcelona Zoo](https://yesgo.io/spain/barcelona/barcelona-zoo) — YesGo score 33/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · Paid ## Don't mix it up Barcelona Zoo and the Barcelona Aquarium are different places. The aquarium is in Port Vell, by the Rambla de Mar. ## Tips - Animals are livelier in the morning. - Cheaper tickets online. - Summer: water and a hat. - Then Parc de la Ciutadella. ## Questions ### How long do you need at Barcelona Zoo? 2 to 3 hours. ### Where is Barcelona Zoo? In the southern part of Parc de la Ciutadella; Ciutadella metro (L4). ### Which animals can you see? Gorillas, elephants, giraffes, lions, hippos, and snakes and Komodo dragons in the terrarium. ### Is the zoo good for young children? Yes: a children's farm, playgrounds and pushchair-friendly paths. ### When is the best time to visit the zoo? Just after opening or towards evening, when the animals are active. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Hours and prices weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Barcelona Zoo - Official site, zoobarcelona.cat --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.