Lisbon Zoo

Lisbon Zoo (Jardim Zoológico)

Lisbon Zoo is, if not the largest, one of the best in Europe. It houses more than 2,000 animals of 332 different species and the park covers an area of 94,000 m². It is home to a variety of exotic animals: giraffes, hippos, rhinos, crocodiles, camels, and various species of monkeys. Here you will not see tortured animals in cramped cages, because for all the inhabitants of the Lisbon Zoo created ideal conditions, close to natural. It is one of the few zoos in the world where you can see such a rare animal as the white tiger.

General Information

The Lisbon Zoo was created over a hundred years ago. At its origins stood Dr. Van Der Lana, the owner of the largest aviary. As a result, Lisbon got an excellent zoo, whose collection was enriched by the former colonies of Portugal.

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Along the paths of the park with visitors walk importantly dressed peacocks, sometimes showing a brightly colored tail loose in a fan. However, this is typical of many European menageries, the main principle of which is the availability of animals. It is to get to know them better that people come here. The giraffe in the Lisbon zoo is separated from the public by a tiny fence, through which the animal occasionally bends over in the hope of munching a fresh lawn or the hat of a stray tourist. Only the wildest and most unbridled ones have substantial fences. Other animals are free to roam the grounds.

Dolphin and Navy SEAL show deserves special attention, as such a rich and interesting program is few places where you can see. And the embrace of a smiling sea lion is simply impossible to forget.The whole Lisbon Zoo is divided into several thematic zones, where most of the animals just walk around their territory, and only some dangerous animals are kept in enclosures. The terrarium is amazing with an abundance of amazing reptiles and amphibians.

There are hundreds of birds flying in the Magic Forest, and the cheerful parrots will be happy to show you all their tricks.

Lisbon Zoo has the Animax Luna Park with a huge number of rides. Everyone can choose the right one for themselves, and the youngest visitors will be interested in the “little farm” where different fruits and vegetables grow. The creation of this mini-farm is done so that the city’s children know where vegetables and fruits come from to their tables.

Lion in Parliament

But there were hard times at the zoo, too. In the second half of the 20th century, after the end of the Portuguese Colonial War, the former colonies stopped supplying exotic animals to Lisbon’s zoos. And that dealt quite a blow. Although the collection continued to expand, the previous volumes could not be achieved.

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As a rule, before a leap forward, there is usually a financial crisis. Such a situation happened in the late 1990s and the Portuguese government decided to limit funding for many facilities, including the Lisbon Zoo. But not without reason its roots came from people who knew how to overcome any difficulties, and the director of the Lisbon Zoo was one of those people. Realizing that a new way was needed to get the government to allocate money for the zoo, he brought a tiger and a lion with him to a parliamentary session. Such a measure bore fruit, and the Lisbon Zoo managed to maintain its position and most importantly, its inhabitants.

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It is thanks to people who are willing to take risks for the sake of their brainchild, Lisbon has managed to preserve and multiply the magnificent collection of wild animals. And rightfully holds the title of one of the best zoos in Europe.

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Getting around the zoo

One of the features of the Lisbon Zoo is a cable car that runs over the entire area, allowing visitors to view it from above. And thus determine their itineraries. After all, in Lisbon Zoo you can admire the dolphins, get to know the animals better, and walk around admiring the rich vegetation. Giraffes with long necks will reach for your hand, and screaming monkeys will screech through the trees.

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If you are afraid of heights, or just prefer not to get off the ground, the Lisbon Zoo has a funny steam train that runs through all the protected areas.

Practical information

Opening hours: September 21 – March 20: 10:00 – 18:00, March 21 – September 20: 10:00 – 20:00. Dolphin shows take place several times a day. In summer season: 11:00, 15:00 and 17:00, in winter: 11:00 and 15:00.

Admission: 18,50 EUR, children from 3 to 11 years old: 13 EUR, children under 2 years old: free.

To get to the zoo you can take buses No. 16, 31, 54, 70, 96, as well as routes such as 701, 726, 746, 755 and 758. The stop to get off at is Jardim Zoologico.