David J.
Yelp
There's been a zoo in Barcelona since 1892. Located in the Cuitadella Park, itself created out of the Bourbon fortress from which it takes its name, this is a traditional city zoo spread over thirteen hectares. Although constrained by the development around it, the zoo is attractively laid out with lots of trees and small areas of gardens, and a visit here could easily occupy a whole day - if you've sufficient stamina!
Containing over 4,000 animals from 400 species, it covers most of the main groups that you expect to see in a zoo, from zebras and tigers, through apes, monkeys, deer, penguins, hippos, elephants, and assorted reptiles and birds. There is a small dolphinarium with regular shows, but a more grisly (and accordingly popular) attraction is feeding time in the reptile house, when live mice are fed to the snakes. Definitely not for the squeamish.
Great efforts have also been made to modernise the enclosures and, although some of them are still small for the animals they contain (especially large mammals), there are no old-fashioned cells with iron grills. The conditions are rather better for the smaller animals, birds and lizards, with some attempt to recreate elements from their natural environments.
Whether you find such conditions acceptable or distressing is up to you, but there's no doubt that it is hugely popular, and a great place to bring children, who are well catered for. The zoo has a long history of research, education and conservation, and the descriptions of the animals are correspondingly well done, in Spanish, Catalan and English.
As well as several cafeterias and lots of self-service stations selling bottled drinks, there are picnic spots, two well-stocked shops, left luggage lockers, pony rides in summer, and a 'train' service which operates on a set route through the zoo, providing respite for tired feet.
The zoo lays on programmes and tours for schools during term time, as well as special family days, and birthday parties. Much of the zoo is accessible for wheelchairs, although some of the ramps are rather steep. The prices are a little steep too, but then there is a lot to see, and someone has to pay for all that animal feed...
The main entrance is in the Cuitadella Park entrance close to the França Railway station, although there is another entrance on Carrer Wellington, adjacent to the T4 tram terminus, five minutes' walk from the Cuitadella / Vila Olympica metro station.