That was quite a long time ago, but last summer, on a shiny August morning, I visited the Barcelona's ZOO. Nowadays, it is pretty much a classic for my family: so many years strolling around inside the beautiful park of la Ciutadella and watching the animals eat, play and even grow up. I have been to summer camps there, discovering its secrets and incredible facts about the animal kingdom, now I take my little brother there and I have even been there with my friends. So surely, the Zoo does have a special beloved corner in my heart. And now it is the time for you to discover it too!
WHAT TO SEE.
Animals, basically. But there is so much more to that. From the fauna side, there is a huge variety to see: from gorillas to penguins, from little frogs and fishes to turtles and iguanas... there are tigers and lions, zebras, elephants, giraffes and hippos and many more. And there are also peacocks running around.
Check all the species they have here: http://www.zoobarcelona.cat/en/know-the-zoo/animal-files/all-the-animals/
However, the zoo offers many more options! There is the aquarium where you can see the dolphins shows and also sea lions, there are different playgrounds with slides and zips and other things to play, there is a farm where you can touch and play with some goats... and art and flowers can also be found!
Animals, basically. But there is so much more to that. From the fauna side, there is a huge variety to see: from gorillas to penguins, from little frogs and fishes to turtles and iguanas... there are tigers and lions, zebras, elephants, giraffes and hippos and many more. And there are also peacocks running around.
Check all the species they have here: http://www.zoobarcelona.cat/en/know-the-zoo/animal-files/all-the-animals/
However, the zoo offers many more options! There is the aquarium where you can see the dolphins shows and also sea lions, there are different playgrounds with slides and zips and other things to play, there is a farm where you can touch and play with some goats... and art and flowers can also be found!
PRACTICAL INFORMATION.
- Opening hours: from 10 am to 7 pm (closing hours depend on the time of the year, check the full schedule here)
- Prices: Adults - 19.90 euros / Children until 12 years - 11.95 euros / Seniors 65+ 10.05 euros
- Where is it? The Zoo is found inside the park of la Ciutadella (quite near the beach), so it can be entered both from the park and from the street. They have a map if you want to check it out.
- How do I get there? If you are going by taxi, tell the driver. If you are driving on your own, ask Google or any GPS with the direction Carrer Ramon Trias Fargas and this will lead you to the closes parking. If you are coming with public transport, in metro the lines yellow (L4) and red (L1) are the ones which will drop you the closest and there are several buses like 141, 42, H16, 40, 39, 51, 64 that go around that area.
TIPS AND TRICKS.
- If for any reason you don't feel like walking throughout the whole park there are many solutions for you. One is to hire a golf car (not sure how they are actually called) so you can drive on your own through the park's roads. And the other option is to buy a ticket for the Zoo's bus and while it strolls you around you will also have some added comments from the animal experts.
- There are some peacocks walking around the park, and not inside an enclosure, so take care they don't bite your children! (they never do anything unless you really punch or bother them).
- For kids there are so many other things apart from just watching the animals. You can take a ride with a pony at the pony club!
- Or you can also sit down for a while... while your kids play around at the different parks with slides and ropes and all those things.
- There are many animals and many things to do, so be sure to check out what you most like and feel more excited for, or otherwise you might end up missing it! Schedule. Organize.
FUN FACTS.
- The Zoo used to be home for the Snowflake: the only white gorilla ever found. Unfortunately, he passed away a few years ago.
- It was first founded back on 1892 by the wealthy banker Lluís Martí Codolar so as to offer to the city of Barcelona his collection of exotic and native animals.
- Nowadays there are more than 200 different species at the Zoo.
- Inside the enclosure there can be found that statue of the Lady with and Umbrella by Joan Roig i Solé which was a famous symbol of the 1888 Universal Exposition in Barcelona.
WHERE TO EAT.
There are many places where you can eat, both inside or outside the park. Inside there are various restaurants and bars where you'll be able to buy food -there are spaces to sit or you can juts grab a sandwich and keep walking. There is an italian one (Trattoria Sabana) and a Mexican one (Les Àguiles), although you can also find a classical steak with fries, salads, snacks, chicken, and dessert in any of them (La Granja and Terrari are some more restaurants).
However, eating inside can turn unpleasant if there are many visitants and restaurants are full and slow. So what we usually do is to get out of the zoo and search for a restaurants in the area .as it is next to the beach there are plenty of them. My favorite is Trattoria del Mare.
How to get there? Get out of the zoo at the wellington entrance, and then go up (sea direction) until you find the subway stop. Then turn left and take Av. Icària.
You'll be there! And they cook some wonderful Italian pasta there!
There are many places where you can eat, both inside or outside the park. Inside there are various restaurants and bars where you'll be able to buy food -there are spaces to sit or you can juts grab a sandwich and keep walking. There is an italian one (Trattoria Sabana) and a Mexican one (Les Àguiles), although you can also find a classical steak with fries, salads, snacks, chicken, and dessert in any of them (La Granja and Terrari are some more restaurants).
However, eating inside can turn unpleasant if there are many visitants and restaurants are full and slow. So what we usually do is to get out of the zoo and search for a restaurants in the area .as it is next to the beach there are plenty of them. My favorite is Trattoria del Mare.
How to get there? Get out of the zoo at the wellington entrance, and then go up (sea direction) until you find the subway stop. Then turn left and take Av. Icària.
You'll be there! And they cook some wonderful Italian pasta there!
What is your favorite children activity?
Sincerely,
Vera
Vera
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