Lisbon Zoo (Jardim Zoológico de Lisboa)

The Basics

The Lisbon Zoo is a great place to spend the day with friends and family, and a welcome change of pace for kids from the city’s cultural and historical attractions. In addition to spotting animal residents such as rhinos, gorillas, Sumatran tigers, and red pandas, you can enjoy dolphin shows, animal feedings, zookeeper talks, and a cable car ride that offers unique views of some exhibits and the city beyond.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Lisbon Zoo is a must-visit for animal and nature lovers, and families with children.

• Book a skip-the-line ticket to avoid long entry lines.

• Seniors and children aged 3 to 12 receive discounted admission; kids under 3 are free.

• Check the zoo schedule for shows, feedings, and presentations throughout the day.

• Bring a hat, sunscreen, and good walking shoes to explore this mostly outdoor complex.

• There are eateries dotted around the zoo, and Wi-Fi is available in some areas.

• Most of the zoo is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Loaner wheelchairs are available at the ticket office.

How to Get There

The Lisbon Zoo is very easily reachable from the city center by public transport. Take the blue metro line to Jardim Zoológico station or the main line train to Sete Rios station. Alternatively, catch city bus 701, 716, 726, 731, 746, 754, 755, 758, 768, or 770.

When to Get There

The zoo is open from 10am to 6pm from September 21 to March 20, and to 8pm from March 21 to September 20. The zoo is generally very busy during the summer months of June, July, and August; for a quieter experience, visit outside of this time, and early in the day year-round.

Helping Animals at the Lisbon Zoo

The Lisbon Zoo is not simply a place for visitors to see exotic animals. It’s also where scientists and researchers work tirelessly to help conserve and protect a number of endangered species. There have been several successful conservation projects over the years, including artificial insemination of a Siberian tiger and reintroduction of many species back into the wild.

Ways to explore

General admission tickets offer full access to the Lisbon Zoo. Set aside at least a few hours to explore, take a ride on the cable car for a bird’s eye view of the park, and attend the zookeeper talks and presentations. Highlights include the Valley of the Tigers, home to Sumatran tigers; the Temple of the Primates, where you can see chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans; and the Savannah MEO, home to giraffes, hippos, and elephants.

The zoo is also a stop on hop-on, hop-off bus tours of Lisbon, making it easy to combine a visit with city sightseeing.

Accessibility

The zoo is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, but they’re not allowed in the cable car cabins. Wheelchairs are available to borrow.

Age limits

Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult; entry is free for kids under 2 years old.

What to pack

Your ticket or e-ticket, camera, reusable water bottle, sunscreen, wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, picnic lunch

What to wear

Weather-appropriate clothing and shoes (the majority of exhibitions are outdoors)

Not allowed

Pets (including service animals)

Amenities

Restaurant, snack bar, gift shop, restrooms with baby changing facilities, storage lockers, ATM, water fountain, free Wi-Fi area

Address

The zoo is about 4 miles (6 kilometers) north of Lisbon’s historic center. It’s easy to reach by car, taxi, or public transit.

Driving

With narrow streets and heavy traffic, driving in Lisbon isn’t for the faint of heart, but as a plus, the zoo does offer free parking. From the central Praça do Comércio, head north along Av. da Liberdade until you reach Eduardo VII Park, then continue north along Av. António Augusto de Aguiar, R. Ramalho Ortigão, and Av. José Malhoa, following the signs for the zoo.

Public transportation

A quicker and easier way to go is by metro: Take the blue line from Baixa-Chiado directly to the Jardim Zoológico station or one of the main-line trains to Sete Rios station, across the road from the zoo.

Best times to visit

The zoo is open daily from 10am to 6pm from September to March, and from 10am to 8pm from March to September. Don’t miss the zookeeper presentations, which are typically held in the morning and afternoon, or three times daily in the summer months.

Best days to visit

Weekdays are usually the quietest times to visit the zoo, especially outside of school holidays.

Best months to visit

As with most Lisbon attractions, the zoo is typically very busy during the summer; for a more relaxed experience, the shoulder months of May and October are ideal.