Are you visiting Fuengirola?
In that case, the Bioparc in Fuengirola is probably on your ‘things to do‘ list.
I’ve been living in Fuengirola since 2020, and visited the Bioparc many times, so this article will give you first-hand recommendations on whether it’s worth a visit, including tips for planning your visit.
Let’s check it out together!
PS: This post may contain affiliate links. I make a small fee if you use them, at no extra cost to you.
Where is Bioparc in Fuengirola
Bioparc is located in central Fuengirola, about 10 minutes walk from the main train station.
The address is C. Camilo José Cela, 6, y 8, 29640 Fuengirola and you can see the location on the map below.
My Review & Photos: Bioparc in Fuengirola
A traditional ZOO is not the first place I would visit since most of them are a very sore sight and I always feel sad seeing the animals in the small enclosures bored out of their mind.
Bioparc is very different and if you wouldn’t see the occasional fence, you wouldn’t know you’ve just entered a ZOO.
This place really stands out from everything I’ve seen before because of their dedication to nature & animal conservation and creating natural habit for animals that live here.
They have a nature and environment conservation foundation, and dedicate resources to biodiversity conservation projects, like the preservation of fauna in Madagascar and programs for breeding of endangered species.
Let me take you for a stroll, you will be in for a surprise!
Starting at the entrance, the building itself is absolutely gorgeous and built in traditional Spanish style with a color that beautifully contrasts with the lush jungle inside.
Once you enter, you will see a ticket booth on your left side alongside a small gift shop and entrance gates right in front of you.
After you pass the entrance, your view is completely transformed and you’ll find yourself immersed inside a lush jungle with birds singing from each tree and monkeys shouting in the distance.
The Bioparc lets you experience all their animals in their natural habitat.
They have reproduced natural living conditions for more than 130 species found here.
The amount of work and detailed planning that went into this project is visible on every corner – the Baobab tree below for example was built completely from scratch from concrete to resemble a real tree!
There are posters next to it showing how the park was built, it was truly fascinating.
Nature is incorporated into every aspect of the park, for example, all the roofs are made from palm leaves, all the bridges are wooden and the lush vegetation everywhere in the park is a sight of itself.
If you’ve never been to the jungle, this is as close as you can get to it inside a city.
The poster boy for the park – the Gorilla.
There are no tall fences around the enclosure, just steep cliffs with water running around the edges.
These guys were a sight too.
They were sitting right next to the glass display and purring along.
Thanks to the lush vegetation and mature palm trees, there are almost no spots in the park where you would be exposed to direct sunlight, which is a huge relief in the summer months.
Komodo dragons (below) – they are blending in with the ground here, there is one on the left side next to that big rock.
I love how they rebuilt those ancient ruins behind them, to make you feel like you’re actually visiting their natural habitat.
There are information tables next to each disclosure which also reference the inspiration behind the architecture (which as you can tell by the lack of details here, I didn’t read).
After a short walk we made it to the restaurant to find it completely empty – not usually the case, especially in the summer months.
The restaurant has a decent menu and a gorgeous setting overlooking the monkey enclosure.
There is a huge playground right next to it, perfect for entertaining kids while you eat.
Another hit was this sunken enclosure where you can get a better look at the fish – they were HUGE!
If I wasn’t scared of some of the animals, honestly I would build a tree house here and live here!
Isn’t it beautiful?
No show is complete without a display of meerkats.
After a round of sightseeing, discovering hidden enclosures, admiring the trees and a quick lunch at the cafeteria, you will reach the entrance again.
We actually did two rounds on our first visit as we missed some stuff at the beginning and I wanted to take another look at the impressive Baobab tree.
Just as we were exiting the park, I was saying to my husband that we had to come back there again. It’s such a calm and relaxing place, a lush jungle in the middle of the city, where kids can roam free and there is a sense of wonder around every corner.
So my verdict?
I don’t like animal attractions normally, but this felt more like a walk in a botanical garden rather than visiting a ZOO.
I think you will love it as much as I do! Please check the practical tips at the end of the post to make sure you get the most out of your visit.
Visiting Bioparc in Fuengirola
Bioparc is open all year round, except new year and Christmas, from 10 am to 8 pm.
You can book your tickets in advance via the link below – they have discounted tickets available for kids and toddlers.
Please remember that you should bring your ID so they can check your ticket against it. It is also forbidden to bring any food with you to the Bioparc. See below for more practical tips.
Map of Bioparc in Fuengirola
If you’re wondering what’s there to see and how big the park is, you can check here to see the map of the whole place.
Practical Tips to Plan Your Visit
- if you’re staying in Fuengirola in the summer, plan your visit for the morning hours or late afternoon hours, to avoid the heat
- the restaurant has good food options for both adults and kids
- the playground next to the restaurant is excellent, don’t miss it if you’re visiting with kids
- you can enter the park with a stroller or pram, you don’t need to store them anywhere
- do not bring any food with you (baby food is fine)
- there are vending machines in the park and you can get water also in the restaurant
- toilets are located only in the restaurant and by the entrance to the park
- there is barrier-free entrance to the park (ramp) and no stairs, so it’s also pram-friendly
- there is a gift shop by the exit, selling mostly stuffed animals and small gifts
What To Do in Fuengirola?
Here are some suggestions for places to explore in and beyond Fuengirola!
Best Restaurants in Fuengirola
Best Day Trips from Fuengirola
Sohail Castle (Castillo de Sohail), Fuengirola
Fuengirola Old Town: An Insider’s Guide by a Local
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