What Makes Madrid Zoo Aquarium Worth Half a Day of Your Trip
Madrid Zoo Aquarium sits inside Casa de Campo, one of the city's largest parks, and one ticket covers more than most visitors expect: a full zoo with 6,000 animals across 500 species, a two-floor tropical marine aquarium, live dolphin and sea lion shows, birds of prey displays, and a petting zoo where kids can feed the goats. The hardest part is usually deciding what to see first.
But the Zoo Aquarium de Madrid is more than a family day out. It quietly sits on a piece of conservation history: in 1982, a giant panda named Chu Lin was born here through artificial insemination, the first time this technique succeeded for a giant panda in European captivity. That scientific legacy continues today, with ongoing programmes for endangered species including the Iberian lynx. The zoo is open 365 days a year, and with online tickets starting at €19.90, it is one of the better-value big attractions in the city.
What to See: A Tour Through the Zoo Aquarium Madrid
The park is divided into five continental zones: Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Oceania, so a logical route is easy enough to plan. Download a map from the zoo's app before you go: the paths wind through a 20-hectare site and the layout is more complex than it looks on paper. The most talked-about exhibit is the giant panda enclosure, currently home to Jin Xi and Zhu Yu, a pair that arrived from China in April 2024. At the enclosure, a touch screen and microphone let you have a real conversation with IrenIA, an AI virtual keeper modeled on a real zoo caretaker. She answers questions in Spanish and English, and you can ask her anything from panda feeding habits to conservation status, in real time.
Spain's first tropical marine aquarium spans two floors with 35 tanks holding 2 million litres of saltwater. You will find gray reef sharks, rays, sea turtles, seahorses, and a coral farm that has been pioneering marine conservation in Spain since 1995. The shark tank has floor-to-ceiling glass and a seated viewing area, so it rewards a longer look rather than a quick walk-through.
The live shows are the other unmissable activity on any visit to Zoo Aquarium Madrid. The dolphin show runs twice daily at 12:30 and 17:30. The sea lion show runs at 12:00 and 15:30 on weekdays, with an extra session at 11:30 on weekends and public holidays. Birds of prey fly at 14:00 on weekdays and at 12:30 and 15:30 on weekends. Check the schedule on the zoo's app or the board at the entrance as soon as you arrive: popular sessions fill quickly in summer.
Other highlights include koalas (kept in a climate-controlled facility), the African savannah, La Pequeña Granja petting zoo, and keeper talks and guided tours that run throughout the day. When your feet need a rest, the electric train tour covers the whole park in one loop.
Madrid Zoo Aquarium Tickets and Opening Hours
| Ticket type | Online price | Gate price |
|---|---|---|
| General (8–64 years) | €19.90 | €29.50 |
| Junior (3–7 years) | €16.90 | €23.90 |
| Reduced (65+, large families, disabled) | €16.90 | €23.90 |
| Under 3 | Free | Free |
| Faunia pack (Zoo + Faunia, general, open date) | €39.90 | – |
The zoo is open every day of the year from 11 AM. Closing time varies by season: typically 18:00 in winter, with later closing in summer. Book your tickets online to complete the purchase at the lower price and skip the queue at the entrance. If you plan to visit two parks, the Faunia pack is worth considering: Faunia is a nature-themed wildlife park on the other side of the city, and the combined ticket saves you money versus buying both separately.
How to Get to Zoo Aquarium Madrid
The simplest option is Metro Line 10 or Line 5 to Casa de Campo station, then a 10-minute walk to the entrance. Bus 33 from Príncipe Pío also stops right outside. Free parking is available if you are driving, though the metro is faster on busy weekends. Weekdays in spring (April to May) or early autumn (September to October) are the quietest times to visit. August weekends draw the biggest crowds, but the park is large enough that it rarely feels overwhelming.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to visit Madrid Zoo Aquarium?
Allow at least 4 hours to cover the main zones, the aquarium, and one or two live shows. A full day is easy to fill, especially with children. Most visitors find 5 hours comfortable without feeling rushed.
What animals are in the Madrid Zoo Aquarium?
The zoo is home to over 6,000 animals from more than 500 species, including giant pandas, koalas, gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, Siberian tigers, and birds of prey. The aquarium adds gray reef sharks, sea turtles, rays, seahorses, and hundreds of species of marine fish.
Can I bring my own food and drinks into Madrid Zoo Aquarium?
Yes. Outside food and drinks are permitted. Picnic areas are available throughout the park, and free water fountains mean you do not need to buy water on-site.
Are there dining options inside the zoo?
Yes. The zoo has a fast food outlet and a self-service restaurant. Buying a meal deal online in advance (from €11.60 for fast food, €15.60 for self-service) is cheaper and avoids queues during peak hours.
Can I bring my pets to Madrid Zoo Aquarium?
No. Pets are not permitted inside the zoo, for the safety and well-being of the resident animals.