Bioparco

The basics

Rome’s only zoological garden opened in 1911, though rennovations have brought this historic zoo up to speed with modern habitat and conservation science. Today, more than 1,000 animals populate the zoo, and you can follow a number of paths that wind through the park and around a small lake to observe lions, elephants, tigers, monkeys, and giraffes, among others. The small barnyard area has goats, pigs, cows, and other livestock; the bioparco is also home to a rare Kleinmann’s tortoise, rescued from a smuggler's suitcase in 2005. The Bioparco is one of the most popular sights in the sprawling Villa Borghese park, and you can visit as part of a Villa Borghese bike or Segway tour that also includes the Galleria Borghese, the Silvano Toti Globe Theatre, and the Pincio Gardens.

Things to know before you go

• The Villa Borghese gardens are free to the public, but you must purchase a ticket to enter the Bioparco.
• With a restaurant and a number of refreshment stands and picnic areas inside the zoo, there are a range of family-friendly dining options.
• Footsore visitors can hop on the Bioparco Express zoo train.
• You’ll be spending most of the day outdoors, so dress for the weather and wear a hat and sunscreen.
• Most of the zoo’s exhibits are accessible to wheelchair users.

How to get there

Bioparco is located on Viale del Giardino Zoologico inside Villa Borghese, an easy walk from the Spanish Steps or Piazza del Popolo. The nearest metro stop is Spagna.

When to get there

The zoo is open daily, but can be very crowded on weekends, especially in the summer. Try to visit on a weekday from May through September, keeping in mind that it can be very hot during the midday hours in Rome, so arrive first thing in the morning to enjoy the zoo before temperatures soar.

Rome’s Historic Villa Borghese Gardens

Rome’s third largest public park, the Villa Borghese gardens were built in the 17th century for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, though the estate was reworked two centuries later as an English-style garden. One of the most popular outdoor spaces in the city, Villa Borghese covers almost 200 acres of lawn, woods, and lakes; inside the park, visitors can see Bernini’s sculptures in the Galleria Borghese, works from the 19th and 20th centuries in the National Gallery of Modern Art, Etruscan artifacts in the Villa Giulia, and animals from all five continents at the Bioparco.

Ways to explore

Buy tickets for Bioparco online: Book 60 days ahead of time for the biggest discounts. You can buy last-minute tickets in person two hours before the park closes—the zoo closes between 5pm on weekdays and 7pm, depending on the day and time of year. Explore independently at your own pace or visit on a tour that also takes in the enormous Villa Borghese gardens, home to sculptures, monuments, fountains, and a lake, as well as galleries and museums.

Accessibility

Most of the zoo is wheelchair accessible, with accessible parking and adapted restrooms.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Sunscreen and water in summer

What to wear

Hat

Not allowed

Feeding the animals, banging on the glass or fencing around the animals

Amenities

Eateries, shop, restrooms

Address

Bioparco is on Viale del Giardino Zoologico inside the Villa Borghese gardens, about 2 miles (3 kilometers) northeast of Piazza Navona.

Driving

With traffic limitations in the historic center plus a generally unpredictable driving style, Rome is no place to drive as a visitor. Take public transportation, walk, jump in a taxi or a rideshare, or join a tour.

Public transportation

Bioparco is about a 15-minute walk from Spagna metro station (line A).

Best times to visit

The zoo opens at 9:30am and closes between 5pm and 7pm, depending on the day and time of year. Visit early in the day to beat summer’s heat.

Best days to visit

In the summer, try to visit midweek rather than weekends for fewer crowds.

Best months to visit

Bioparco is open year-round, but the weather is best in the shoulder seasons: Aim for May and September if you can.