There are many attractions in the city of Rome that will be interesting to visit for tourists. The zoo is one of them.
Over the past few years has been updated and renamed the "biopark". It covers an area of 17,000 square meters. The zoo in Rome has about 1,200 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
Rome Zoo has a long history. In 1908, the city allocated an area for him to organize an exhibition of exotic species of animals for educational purposes. Opened on January 5, 1911 in the historic Villa Borghese Park, it is one of the oldest zoological gardens in Europe.
The project was fully developed by Karl Hagenbeck, who has already opened a 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 of turning a 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 disseminating the importance of preserving animal species and the conditions from which they come. The biopark is aimed at families with children and schools, offers many activities, animal exhibitions, thematic events and 26 training courses. More than 600 thousand people visit it annually, as this 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 heritage, and here you can see the following animals: elephants, zebras, tigers, Iranian leopards and Asian lions, and among the rarest species - black lemur, dwarf hippo. More common animals are also present, such as donkeys, goats, sheep, etc.
In accordance with the rules, a sign (in Italian and English) is described next to each living creature, 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 a biopark.
What to do with young children?
For kids there are “animals” in the farmyard. These are pigs, goats, lambs, donkeys, rabbits and chickens. Children are encouraged to pet, feed and learn how to take care of them. In addition, there is a playground designed in the shape of an ark with swings, seats in the shade and water fountains.
What about places to stay and eat?
There are many places to relax in the shade with comfortable chairs, including the beautiful Oasis Lake, where you can have a picnic. There are also toilets, a souvenir shop, a small cafe at the entrance to the zoo and a rather expensive restaurant with great views. In general, this place is one of the best to visit in Rome for children and adults, if you want to relax.
Where to find how to get to the zoo in Rome?
Biopark is a small zoo located at 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 the Spagna station and then following the signs. Once you leave the long subway tunnel, just keep going north around the block and into the park.
The zoo is located close to tram lines 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 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 many places to relax, complete with drinking water fountains and picnic benches. The zoo has a small cafe, and on the roof there is an expensive restaurant (open day and evening) with a beautiful view of giraffes.
Opening hours of the zoo in Rome
Open year round 7 days a week (except December 25). Admission ends one hour before closing.
The zoo operates as follows.
January 1 - March 23: 09.30 - 17.00.
March 24 - October 28: from 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 the park closes.
- Night opening only in case of special events.
NOTE. No pets are allowed except guide dogs that accompany the blind.
NOTICE: for reasons related to animal needs, the following departments are closed:
- lions, lynxes, leopards, tigers, reptiles - 60 minutes before the closure of the park;
- giraffes, bears, elephants - 30 minutes before the closure of the park.
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 up to 10 years old.
- Free - children less than 1 meter tall and disabled.
Within the zoo, all areas are accessible to wheelchair users, with the exception of roads leading from Japanese macaques to wild dogs.
Biopark is one of the oldest zoological gardens in Europe, which in 1998 abandoned the concept of a traditional zoo and began to gradually dismantle visual barriers between animals and visitors and improve living conditions. Those who visit the biopark in Rome have the opportunity to experience an unforgettable acquaintance with a thousand animals belonging to more than two hundred different species of mammals, birds and reptiles, with an extensive collection of plants that has enriched hundreds of exotic species over a century-long history.