Outside of Barcelona Zoo

©Esme Fox/Lonely Planet

Zoo de Barcelona


Barcelona's zoo has 2000 animal inhabitants, from geckos to gorillas, lions, elephants and Iberian wolves, as well as pony rides, picnic areas and an adventure playground. In 2019, regulations prohibiting the breeding of animals unless they can be released into the wild were introduced by Barcelona authorities; many animals are expected to be transferred to nature reserves. The zoo's dolphins have been waiting to be released into semi-liberty since 2016 – at research time this hadn't yet happened (one of the four dolphins died in 2019).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Homenatge a Picasso

0.12 MILES

A typically impenetrable 1983 piece by Antoni Tàpies, the surreal Homenatge a Picasso overlooks busy Passeig de Picasso, on the west side of the Park de…

2. Parc de la Ciutadella

0.12 MILES

Come for a stroll, a picnic, a lake boat ride, a tour of Catalonia’s parliament or to marvel at the swirling waterfall-fountain in which Gaudí had a hand…

3. Parlament de Catalunya

0.14 MILES

On the eastern side of the Parc de la Ciutadella, in the fort's former arsenal, lies the regional Parlament de Catalunya, open for independent visiting…

4. Born Centre de Cultura i Memòria

0.19 MILES

Launched in 2013 as part of the events held for the tercentenary of the Catalan defeat in the War of the Spanish Succession, this cultural space is housed…

5. Cascada

0.22 MILES

Near the Passeig de Pujades entrance to the park stands this monumental cascada (waterfall), inspired by Rome's Trevi Fountain and topped by a golden…

6. Castell dels Tres Dragons

0.23 MILES

Along the Passeig de Picasso (western) side of the Parc de la Ciutadella, the engaging, medieval-looking 'Castle of the Three Dragons' caprice is the work…

7. Foto Colectania

0.26 MILES

Photography lovers should swing by this minimalist-design nonprofit foundation in El Born, which hosts thought-provoking, regularly changing exhibitions…

8. Edifici de Gas Natural

0.26 MILES

The work of Enric Miralles, completed in 2005, this shimmering glass waterfront office tower is only 86m (20 storeys) high, but remains extraordinary for…