There are many attractions in the city of Rome that will be interesting for tourists to visit. The zoo is one of them.
Has been updated and renamed "biopark" over the past few years. Covers an area of 17,000 square meters. The Zoo in Rome has about 1200 animals belonging to 150 different species, including mammals, reptiles, birds and amphibians, many of which are endangered in their natural habitats due to environmental changes, poaching and human activities of various species.
Zoo history
The Zoo of Rome has a long history. For him, in 1908, the city allocated an area for the organization of an exhibition of exotic species of animals for educational purposes. Opened on January 5, 1911 in the historical park of Villa Borghese, it is one of the oldest zoological gardens in Europe.
The project was entirely developed by Karl Hagenbeck, who has already opened the zoo in Hamburg. In fact, the park was in the same style as the German one: canals,ditches and wide green spaces. The first idea to turn the zoo into a biopark was presented in 1994. In 1997, a project was presented on how the park of the future should appear.
According to numerous reviews of the zoo in Rome, visiting it is an immersion in the natural world, aimed at spreading the importance of preserving animal species and the conditions from which they originate. The biopark is aimed at families with children and schools, offering many activities, animal exhibitions, themed events and 26 educational courses. More than 600 thousand people visit it every year, as it is one of the main attractions of the city of Rome.
Animal world
Since ancient Roman times, animals have played an important role in Italian culture. The Roman Zoo continues this legacy with elephants, zebras, tigers, Iranian leopards and Asiatic lions, and among the rarest species, the black lemur and the pygmy hippopotamus. More common animals such as donkeys, goats, sheep, etc. are also present.
According to the rules, next to each living creature is a sign (in Italian and English), describing not only its name and characteristics, but also the area inhabited by this species. This information is a sad reminder of the dangers of animal extinction and the role of zoos such as the biopark.
What to do with young children?
For kids, there are "animals" in the farmyard. These are pigsgoats, lambs, donkeys, rabbits and chickens. Children are encouraged to pet them, feed them and learn how to take care of them. In addition, there is a playground designed in the shape of an ark with swings, shaded seats and water fountains.
How about places to stay and eat?
There are plenty of places to relax in the shade with comfortable seating, including the beautiful Oasis Lake where you can have a picnic. There are also restrooms, a gift shop, a small cafe at the entrance to the zoo, and a rather expensive restaurant with great views. Overall, this place is one of the best places to visit in Rome for kids and adults if you want to relax.
Where to find, how to get to the zoo in Rome?
Bioparc is a small zoo located in Villa Borghese in Rome, Italy. This huge park is located north of the center of Rome and can be found by taking the metro to Spagna station and then following the signs. After you leave the long subway tunnel, just keep going north around the block and you will reach the park.
The zoo is located close to the route of trams number 3 and 19. Alternatively, you can walk through the park with the Spanish Steps. Another way to get to the zoo is from the Flaminio metro station + 10 minutes on foot, or by tram 19. Buses numbered 3, 52, 53, 926, 217, 360, 910 pass by the zoo.
The zoo provides a pleasant pastime for tourists and entertainment for children. There are plenty of places to relax, complete with drinking water fountains and benchesfor picnics. The zoo has a small cafe, and on the roof there is an expensive restaurant (open during the day and evening) with a beautiful view of giraffes.
Rome Zoo opening hours
Open all year round 7 days a week (except December 25th). Admission closes one hour before closing.
The zoo operates according to the following schedule.
January 1 – March 23: 09.30 – 17.00.
March 24 - October 28: 09:30 to 18:00.
October 29 – December 31: 09.30 – 17.00.
Extended Time:
March 24 - September 30, from 09.30 - 19.00; only on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
- Last appointment 60 minutes before park closes.
- Night opening for special occasions only.
NOTE. Animals are not allowed, except for guide dogs that accompany the blind.
NOTICE: due to animal needs, the following departments are closed:
- lions, lynxes, leopards, tigers, reptiles - 60 minutes before the park closes;
- giraffes, bears, elephants - 30 minutes before the park closes.
Admission fee
The price list is the lowest compared to other zoos and amusement parks in Italy and Europe. Ticket price:
- € 16.00 adults.
- € 13.00 - children over 1 meter and under 10 years old.
- Free - children under 1 meter tall and disabled.
Within the zoo, all areas are wheelchair accessible, except for roads leading from Japanese macaques to wild dogs.
Biopark is one ofthe oldest zoological gardens in Europe, which in 1998 abandoned the concept of a traditional zoo and began the gradual dismantling of visual barriers between animals and visitors and the improvement of living conditions. Those who visit the biopark in Rome have the opportunity to experience an unforgettable experience with a thousand animals belonging to more than two hundred different species of mammals, birds and reptiles, with an extensive plant collection that has been enriched over a hundred years of history with hundreds of exotic species.
