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).
![Outside of Barcelona Zoo](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2019-06/783437d7bb654adb2208dc7dacf20ce9-lpl-01636.jpg?w=1920&h=640&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cedges&auto=format&q=75)
©Esme Fox/Lonely Planet
Zoo de Barcelona
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
1.36 MILES
The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family) is considered to be the symbol of Barcelona by many residents, and the…
2.58 MILES
Visitors and locals alike love Park Güell. The waving balcony and the colorful Guard’s House, with the imposing Barcelona skyline and sea in the…
1.22 MILES
One of Europe's strangest residential buildings, Casa Batlló (built 1904–6) is Gaudí at his fantastical best. From its playful facade and marine-world…
1.45 MILES
In the top tier of Gaudí's achievements, this madcap Unesco-listed masterpiece, with 33 balconies, was built in 1905–10 as a combined apartment and office…
0.85 MILES
Barcelona's most central fresh-produce market is one of the greatest sound, smell and colour sensations in Europe. It's housed in a packed-out Modernista…
0.34 MILES
Located along the grand, medieval street of Carrer de Montcada, the Museu Picasso is dedicated to one of the world’s greatest artists, Pablo Picasso. Born…
1.88 MILES
Joan Miró was a Catalan painter and sculptor born in Barcelona who combined abstract art with surrealism. He is considered one of the most influential…
0.8 MILES
La Rambla is a tree-lined boulevard featuring a wide array of architectural delights, beautifully decorated flower stalls and particularly talented (and…
Nearby attractions
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
0.26 MILES
Photography lovers should swing by this minimalist-design nonprofit foundation in El Born, which hosts thought-provoking, regularly changing exhibitions…
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…