Barcelona Zoo opened its gates on September 24, 1892, inside the leafy Parc de la Ciutadella, making it one of Europe’s older urban zoos still operating today. Over more than a century, it grew from a modest municipal menagerie into a full-fledged conservation and research institution accredited by both EAZA and WAZA.
The zoo occupies roughly 13 hectares (about 32 acres) near central Barcelona and is home to around 180 species and more than 1,200 individual animals as of 2024. It draws close to 850,000 visitors a year, making it one of the city’s most popular family attractions alongside its famous architectural landmarks.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona, Spain
- Opened: September 24, 1892
- Size: About 13 hectares (32 acres)
- Species: About 180 species
- Animal count: About 1,239 animals (2024)
- Annual visitors: About 841,000 (2024)
- Famous for: Snowflake, the world’s only known albino gorilla
A Legacy of Iconic Animals
Barcelona Zoo’s international fame largely traces back to Snowflake (Copito de Nieve), an albino western lowland gorilla who lived at the zoo from 1966 until his death in 2003 and became one of the most recognized animals in Spain. More recently, the zoo was home to Yoyo, an African elephant who, at the time of her death in 2024, was believed to be among the oldest African elephants living in captivity.
The zoo’s terrarium houses one of the larger reptile and amphibian collections in Europe, while its aviary complex showcases roughly 70 bird species. In July 2020, Barcelona Zoo closed its dolphinarium for good, transferring its final three dolphins to the Attica Zoological Park in Athens, Greece, making Barcelona the first Spanish city to end cetacean captivity at its zoo.
Visiting Today
Modern additions like the Sahel Savannah complex, opened in 2018, give visitors closer views of African species in more naturalistic, open-air settings. The Marmoset Gallery, dating to 1990, lets guests walk among free-ranging tamarins and marmosets.
Located within walking distance of Barcelona’s city center and Ciutadella Park’s other attractions, the zoo remains a popular stop for both tourists and local families, drawing near-record visitor numbers in recent years.
Explore more: Explore more zoos and aquariums.
Barcelona Zoo FAQs
When did Barcelona Zoo open?
Barcelona Zoo opened on September 24, 1892, in Parc de la Ciutadella.
How many species live at Barcelona Zoo?
As of 2024, the zoo houses about 180 species and roughly 1,239 individual animals.
What is Barcelona Zoo famous for?
It is best known for Snowflake, the only known albino gorilla, who lived there from 1966 to 2003.
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Photo: Josep Panadero / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.