Bioparc in Valencia

About Bioparc

Bioparc is Valencia's modern, city-owned zoo. Most of the animals from the old city zoo moved here when the new park opened in 2008 at the western end of the former Turia riverbed. The collection focuses on African wildlife, from savanna to rainforest and the island of Madagascar.

What sets it apart is the idea of zoo immersion. Instead of cages and railings, rivers, ponds, streams and rocks separate people from the animals, and African plants grow all around. So it feels less like animals in an enclosure and more like you've stepped into their habitat.

The park's zones

• Savanna — giraffes, zebras, antelopes and elephants in open space.
• Equatorial forest — dense greenery and tropical wildlife.
• Wetlands — hippos, Nile crocodiles, pelicans and spoonbills.
• Madagascar — several kinds of lemur, the fossa and flamingos.

Animals not to miss

The stars are the elephants, giraffes and hippos. You can even watch the hippos underwater through the glass wall of their pool. The park is home to Makena, the first elephant born in the Valencian Community and a favourite with local children.

Madagascar is home to lemurs: ring-tailed, ruffed, red-bellied and more. Here they often sit right beside the path, easy to watch and photograph. You'll also find the fossa, an unusual Madagascan predator that looks part cat, part mongoose, while pink flamingos stand by the water.

How the walk works

The route is one long loop through every zone in turn, so it's hard to get lost or miss anything. You get a map at the entrance marking viewpoints, cafés and feeding spots.

Bioparc with kids

Bioparc is one of Valencia's best family outings. The paths are flat and buggy-friendly, with cafés, rest areas and toilets. Children love the underwater hippos, the lemurs up close and the big elephants on the savanna. A full loop with stops takes 3–4 hours, so bring water and hats.

It pairs well with the City of Arts and Sciences: animals in the morning, then the aquarium or science museum at the other end of the Turia gardens after lunch. A bus or taxi links the two, or with a bike you can ride the whole former riverbed park end to end.

Tips for your visit

Wear comfortable shoes, as the paths are long and you'll cover several kilometres. The hardest time in hot weather is from noon to four, so plan your visit for the morning. Food and drinks are sold at cafés on site, though queues build in high season.

Photographers should bring a zoom lens, since animals in the open enclosures often keep their distance. Don't use flash, which frightens them. In winter Bioparc has shorter hours but fewer people, and many animals are more active by day than in the summer heat.

If you only have a day in Valencia, save Bioparc for next time and see the centre. But if you have three days or more, or you're travelling with children, this zoo is one of the city's highlights.

How to do it right

• Arrive at opening time.
• Buy tickets online.
• See the hippos underwater.
• Allow 3–4 hours.

Questions