More about: Barcelona Zoo Tickets
Barcelona Zoo is one of the best things to do in the city if you are looking for a fun family afternoon. Characterized by housing creatures from all corners of the world and endangered species, the dynamism and joyful atmosphere of this place is unmatched by any other in the city.
Below, I tell you everything you need to know to get your tickets and better organize your visit but you have to read the information to the end. Happy travels!
1. How much do tickets to Barcelona Zoo cost?
Like so many other attractions in Barcelona, tickets to the Zoo are divided into categories. While an adult must pay about 22€ to access the facilities, other population groups have offers that I recommend you take into consideration when making a budget: the adult ticket costs about 22€; children from 3 to 12 years about 13€; free admission for children under 3 years; Individuals with functional diversity; pay about 6€ and adults over 65 about 11€.
If you visit Barcelona with children the Zoo is a great alternative as well as some excellent excursions to the outskirts of Barcelona.
2. Are there guided tours of the Barcelona Zoo, is it worth it?
At the moment there are no exclusive guided tours to the Barcelona Zoo, neither provided by tour operators nor by the zoo administration itself. Although you can find guided tours of Barcelona, the zoo is almost never included due to the time it takes to visit it and how easy it is for tourists to find their way around the complex.
In the absence of a guide there are additional resources that can help you have the best experience on your next visit to the zoo, I'll tell you about them below.
Barcelona Zoo mobile application
To find your way around the complex, the official app of the Zoo Barcelona attraction is the best option. With this resource the visitor is offered numerous facilities such as real-time location within the Zoo Map and the possibility of finding your way to the most popular points of interest in the complex. In this way it is possible to build and customize your own route based on the areas or enclosures that most attract your attention.
3. How to get tickets for the Barcelona Zoo at the box office
If you did not have time to buy your tickets online to the Barcelona Zoo, it is possible to buy them directly at the ticket office located at the entrance of the Zoo. However it is not an action that I recommend to my traveler friends who visit Barcelona for a few days because they can find long queues and lose a lot of time. Keep in mind that the Zoo ticket office always closes 30 minutes before closing time (18:00 or 17:00 depending on the season).
In general the purchase of zoo tickets on the web is a resource used mostly by tourists looking to save time on their trip and avoid queues; the inhabitants of Barcelona and surrounding cities who visit the enclosure frequently to have a nice family day prefer to use the direct ticket office so there is always a queue to access this attraction. This queue can be avoided if tickets are purchased in advance.
4. Are tickets to the Barcelona Zoo included in any of the city's tourist passes?
Yes; visiting the Zoo is one of the best things to do in Barcelona if you have a few days to tour it; this fact is well known by tour operators who have included the Zoo in the Barcelona Pass tourist card, a resource that allows travelers to save money on their visits to the main attractions.
In addition to the Zoo, this special pass, which is valid for two or three days, will give you free access to other important attractions in the city such as the Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, Park Güell, the Aquarium and many more. The pass can be purchased in conjunction with access to the city's tourist bus.
5. How to get to the Barcelona Zoo (from central areas, by bus, metro, etc.)
Due to its strategic location, getting to the Barcelona Zoo is really a simple task. The enclosure is located in the Parque de la Ciudadela of Barcelona and has two independent accesses, the first one through the Parque de la Ciudadela itself and the second one through Wellington Street, near the famous Paseo de Circunvalación. The most recommended options to get to this area of the city I share with you below.
Public Transportation
You can get to this area of the city using public transport in Barcelona, such as:
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Barcelona streetcar, with this option you will have to take the T4 route to the Ciutadella - Vila Olímpica stop located 5 minutes from the entrance.
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Barcelona Metro, you must take the L4 line to the Ciutadella - Vila Olímpica station located about 5 minutes from the Zoo.
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Barcelon bus, routes 59, D20 and H16 have stops that stop a few minutes from the entrances.
Barcelona tourist bus
If you need help getting to this area of Barcelona, know that the Barcelona tourist bus is an excellent alternative. This transportation resource will take you through the main attractions in the city and you can hop on and off at the stops as much as you want.
In Barcelona there are two tourist buses with two routes, to visit the Zoo you will have to take the bus Route West, the stop located just in front of the zoo is El Born - Ciutadella - Zoo and a new bus passes approximately every 30 minutes.
6. Is it advisable to go to Barcelona Zoo with children?
If you visit Barcelona with children the Zoo is an essential attraction since the youngest are undoubtedly the ones who most enjoy this space. The most beautiful thing about the experience is their innate ability to marvel at the novelty, whether it is a small amphibian or a huge kangaroo.
Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that the collection of species at the Barcelona Zoo is one of the most diverse, which means that both children and adults admire creatures that are difficult to see outside the pages of books or digital screens.
Since this is one of the favorite activities of families in Barcelona and surroundings, the administration of this space puts a lot of effort in creating thematic workshops and educational activities focused on children and that your little boy or girl can join without problems. Make a research days before your trip or ask in the information section when you arrive at the Zoo.
7. What you can't miss in Barcelona Zoo
The Barcelona Zoo is located on large grounds and although it began its activities in 1892 with few species and thanks to the donation of a private collection of animals, over the years the number of creatures sheltered in this space exceeds 7,000 specimens with an average of 400 different species. As is logical, everything is organized by areas, so below I list the most impressive ones.
The Farm
This is one of the favorite facilities for local children and those who go sightseeing in Barcelona, in this place you can meet and even play with various farm animals such as cows, chickens, pigs, sheep, donkeys and horses. Very interactive!
The Aquarama
A gigantic pond where beautiful dolphins live and interact, get close to see them greet the public through pirouettes and all kinds of graceful acrobatics. If you like marine life you should also visit the Aquarium of Barcelona.
The Primate Gallery
Possibly one of the best sections of the museum in Barcelona. You can observe these fantastic creatures and their life in society in a habitat very similar to their natural environment. Both children and adults enjoy this space very much.
The Palm Grove
Simulating the exuberant vegetation of the tropical jungle, in the palm grove you can find the most fabulous specimens that include a diversity of cockatoos, exuberant macaws and parrots in striking colors.
The tribute to Copito
For decades the Barcelona Zoo enjoyed the unique distinction of being home to the only albino gorilla, the world famous Snowflake. This special and affectionate creature lived practically all his life at the Zoo and passed away in 2003 as a result of age and skin cancer at the age of 36.
8. How much time you need to visit Barcelona Zoo
Visiting the Barcelona Zoo is not a short tour, the minimum time needed to really see a bit of everything this space has to offer is at least 4 hours. For this reason I do not recommend it to those who visit Barcelona for a day, as you run the risk of missing other more emblematic attractions.
If you are going to be in the city for several days on a family vacation I recommend spending a day trip to the Zoo. The reason is simple: there is a lot to see, do and enjoy in this space, especially if you visit with children.
The Barcelona Zoo currently occupies an area of approximately 8,000 square meters, which is quite large! In addition, the diversity of creatures that take refuge here is equally admirable; a total of 7,000 specimens grouped into 400 different species coexist in different environments.
9. Opening hours of the Barcelona Zoo
One of the most important aspects to take into account when planning a visit to this space is the schedule of the Barcelona Zoo, as it changes throughout the year and depending on the season. The Zoo operates every day throughout the year but follows the following schedule.
- Between October 30 and March 18, the opening hours are from 10 am to 5:30 pm, reduced hours for the winter monthsin Barcelona.
- Between March 19 and May 15, the opening hours are from 10 am to 7 pm, with the arrival of spring.
- Between May 16 and September 15, the opening hours are from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, extended hours for the summer months inBarcelona.
- Between September 16 and October 29, the opening hours are from 10 am to 7 pm.
- On Christmas Day, December 25, the zoo only works from 10h to 12h.
10. Tips for visiting the Barcelona Zoo
In the following section I share with you some recommendations that can be of great help in your adventure at the Zoo.
Find out what is allowed and what is not allowed.
- Food: You can bring food to the zoo and even prepare a picnic with the family. You will find several food stands inside the facilities.
- Vehicles: Vehicles such as scooters, segways or skateboards are prohibited but you can access with a baby stroller in case you go with small children.
- Pets: With the exception of guide dogs, pets and animals are prohibited inside the zoo facilities.
- Clothing: It is forbidden to walk around with bare torso in zoo facilities.
- Smoking: Exclusively in designated areas.
Do not touch or feed the animals
This is especially important if you are traveling with small children, make sure you make them understand that feeding and touching the animals is not allowed. The creatures at the zoo follow a strict diet and ingesting anything inappropriate could cause discomfort or illness.
Wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun.
You will be walking or standing for more hours than you could imagine, try to wear comfortable shoes that allow you to move freely and also apply sunscreen throughout the day, a hat or cap is an excellent accessory.
Arrive early
If you want to make the most of your day, try to arrive at the Zoo during opening hours and go immediately to the most popular areas to enjoy them more. Around noon the flow of people increases considerably, especially in the months of high tourist influx in Barcelona.
Find out about the activities
In addition to the wonderful collection of species, the Barcelona Zoo is known for having numerous educational activities throughout the year; some are camps lasting several weeks but others are activities of a few hours focused on children and their families. Finding out about these activities before you travel can make the experience even more memorable for your children.
Professional photos and videos require a special permit
It may not be your case, but it is good to keep in mind that a special permit is required for audiovisual material or professional photography in the zoo. Find out more about it on the official website.