Zoo de Lagos is a wildlife park near Lagos, Portugal, home to more than 170 animal species from five continents. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for planning a visit.
This guide was last checked in August 2026. Note: the official site currently shows two slightly different date ranges for its opening hours — the FAQ sections state 1 April to 30 September, while a separate box-office section states 21 March to 20 September — this guide uses the 1 April–30 September range, since it appears consistently across two separate pages.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Open every day. 1 April–30 September: 10am–7pm. 1 October–31 March: 10am–5pm. |
| Ticket prices | Online: €17 adult, €12 child (3–11), €15 senior (65+); free under 3. Higher prices apply at the gate. |
| Address | Medronhal, Quinta Figueiras, 8600-013 Lagos |
| Nearest transport / parking | Free on-site parking. ONDA city bus line 6 (green) stops at “Medronhal – Zoo”. |
| Typical time needed | Around 2.5 to 4 hours. |
Zoo de Lagos opening hours: when to visit
The zoo is open every day of the year, with hours that change by season. From 1 April to 30 September, it is open 10am to 7pm, and from 1 October to 31 March, it is open 10am to 5pm.
The Boulders Beach penguin-viewing area, named after the beach in Cape Town, South Africa and included in general admission, has its own shorter season: it runs from 1 April to 30 September, and the official site gives slightly different closing times across its pages, so it is worth checking on arrival.
Five great things to do in the Algarve
- 🏝️ Stop at three incredible islands – on a Ria Formosa cruise from Faro.
- 🚙 On a jeep tour – explore the hidden secrets and mountains of the Algarve.
- 🌊 Jump, climb and splash – on a coasteering tour along the coastline.
- 🥧 At a baking class – learn how to make Portugal’s famous custard tarts.
- 🛶 Explore the Benagil sea caves – up close on a small group kayaking tour.
Zoo de Lagos ticket prices: how much do entry fees cost?
Buying online costs €17 for adults, €12 for children aged 3 to 11, and €15 for seniors over 65; children up to 2 years old enter free. Gate prices are higher, at €19, €14 and €17 respectively, so booking ahead saves €2 per ticket. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026. Check the official site for current details or to buy tickets online.
How to get to Zoo de Lagos: transport guide
The zoo is located inland from Lagos, near Bensafrim and Barão de São João, off the A22 motorway. By car, take the A22 Sines exit, pass through Bensafrim, and turn onto the road for Barão de São João; the zoo is a few minutes further on.
Without a car, the ONDA urban bus line 6 (green) runs from the “Portas de Portugal CTT” stop in Lagos to “Medronhal – Zoo”. A taxi from Lagos costs around €15, and an Uber or Bolt costs around €10.
Parking at Zoo de Lagos
Parking is free at the zoo, with no charge mentioned for visitors arriving by car.
Visitors travelling from Lagos by road can also reach the zoo via the road toward Aljezur, next to the McDonald’s, as an alternative to the A22.
How long to spend at Zoo de Lagos
Zoo de Lagos isn’t as big as some European zoos, such as Prague Zoo in Czechia and Chester Zoo in North-West England. But there’s still plenty to see.
Most visitors spend around 2.5 to 4 hours at the zoo, enough time to see the main enclosures and catch at least one of the scheduled animal feeding sessions. Visiting during the Boulders Beach season adds extra time if you also want to watch the African penguins from the underwater viewing area.
Accessibility at Zoo de Lagos
The official site does not publish a detailed accessibility statement. Free on-site parking is available close to the entrance, and the park is set out over open, garden-style grounds.
For specific accessibility needs, it is worth contacting the zoo directly before visiting, using the phone number or email on its contact page.
Inside Zoo de Lagos: what to see
Zoo de Lagos groups its 170-plus species across birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians. Highlights include African penguins, chimpanzees, ring-tailed and red-ruffed lemurs, meerkats, servals and a pygmy hippopotamus, alongside Asian small-clawed otters and a range of tamarins and marmosets.
The bird collection is a particular strength, with macaws, hornbills, toucans, flamingos and pelicans among the species on show, plus daily feeding sessions: pelicans at 11:30am, otters, primates and pelicans together at 3pm, and penguins at 4pm. A lemur encounter (by appointment, for ages 7 and up) runs at 11:45am and 4pm; the official site lists this at “R$50 per person,” which appears to be a currency labelling error for euros, so it is worth confirming the price on site.
Boulders Beach, open in the summer season, recreates the South African beach of the same name, letting visitors view African penguins from an underwater vantage point.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Planning around the feeding sessions (11:30am, 3pm and 4pm) gives the best chance to see the animals active. |
| Crowds | Summer afternoons are busiest; a morning visit is generally quieter. |
| Layout | The zoo is set out as a walking route through garden-style grounds, so comfortable shoes are worth wearing. |
| Entry process | Online tickets are scanned at the gate; identification may be requested to confirm any discounted rate. |
| On-site logistics | A restaurant, snack bar and picnic areas are available on site for food and drink. |
Frequently asked questions about Zoo de Lagos
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Zoo de Lagos suitable for children? | Yes, children up to 2 enter free, though under-13s must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Zoo de Lagos? | No, but booking online saves €2 per ticket compared with gate prices. |
| Is Zoo de Lagos open every day? | Yes, the zoo is open daily throughout the year. |
| Is parking free at Zoo de Lagos? | Yes, on-site parking is free. |
| Can you see penguins up close at Zoo de Lagos? | Yes, the Boulders Beach area offers underwater views of African penguins, seasonally from April to September. |
Things to do near Zoo de Lagos
- Ponta da Piedade: Dramatic cliff and grotto formations on the coast south of Lagos, popular for boat trips and kayaking to the Benagil Cave.
- Lagos Old Town: A walled historic centre with cobbled streets, shops and the Igreja de Santo António.
- Praia Dona Ana: A well-known cove beach a short walk from Ponta da Piedade.
- Meia Praia: A long, wide sandy beach on the eastern side of Lagos, suited to families.
- Lagos Marina: A waterfront area with restaurants and boat-trip operators, next to the old town.
Alternative attractions to visit
- Zoomarine Algarve, Guia: A marine park and zoo with dolphin presentations, sea lions and an aquarium, about a 35 to 40-minute drive away.
- Krazy World Algarve Zoo & Park, Algoz: A smaller interactive zoo with a petting farm, reptile pavilion and swimming pool, roughly a 40 to 45-minute drive away.
- Lagoa dos Salgados: A free coastal wetland near Albufeira with boardwalks for spotting flamingos and other wading birds, about a 45-minute drive away.
- Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta de Marim: A lagoon nature reserve near Olhão with walking trails and a wildlife interpretation centre, around a 1 hour 10-minute drive away.
- Castro Marim Marsh Nature Reserve: A wetland reserve on the Spanish border known for its flamingo colony, roughly a 1 hour 20-minute drive away.
More Algarve travel
Other Algarve travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the Slide & Splash water park in Lagoa.
- Visitor guide to Aquashow Park in Quartiera.
- Visitor guide to the Museu de Portimão – a surprisingly good history museum inside an old sardine-canning factory.
- Look over the river to Spain at Alcoutim Castle on the Algarve.
- What to expect when visiting Castelo de Castro Marim on the Algarve.
