Lagos Zoo: a fun day out with the entire family
Lagos Zoo is one of the Algarve’s top family attractions, combining animal encounters with a beautiful garden setting. Home to more than 150 animal species and 200 types of plants, the park focuses on conservation, education, and animal welfare. From playful lemurs and colorful toucans to pygmy hippos and crocodiles, there’s something to capture everyone’s attention. With daily feeding sessions, a petting zoo, and plenty of shaded picnic spots, it’s the perfect place to spend a relaxed half day or more. Whether you’re visiting with kids or simply love wildlife, Lagos Zoo offers a mix of fun and learning in a peaceful environment.
Practical info
How long to visit: Most families spend around 3-4 hours at the zoo, which gives you time to see the animals, watch a feeding, and enjoy a picnic. If you take it slow, it can easily fill half a day.
Best time to go: Arrive in the morning when it’s cooler, quieter, and the animals are more active. Afternoons are busier, especially in summer, but they’re less crowded towards closing time.
Parking: The zoo has free parking right outside the entrance, with plenty of space available even in high season. Arriving early increases your chance of finding a shaded spot.
Family-friendly: The park is flat and easy to walk, making it ideal for both strollers and wheelchairs. There are shaded rest areas, a picnic zone, and a petting zoo perfect for younger children.
Animals
The main animals in the Zoo of Lagos are birds, mammals, reptiles and fishes. There are no lions or tigers in this zoo. Visitors can walk through a tunnel that is 60 metres in length and see many exotic birds in full flight. You can watch the primates running freely on their paradise island and there is also a petting zoo where the little ones can see the tame animals.
Below you can see some of the spectacular animals you can find here. For a full list of animals, check their website.
Birds
There are many different kinds of exotic birds you can see in Lagos Zoo. Examples are the Himalayan monal, the black swan, great hornbill and the red-billed toucan. You can also see many different types of parrots, macaws and ducks here. Many of these species you will probably have never seen before.
You can also see the Indian peafowl, which is especially beautiful when it spreads its feathers.
Actually, they also have several species of flamingos in the zoo:
Don’t miss some of the different hornbill species, which are usually loved by kids as well.
Mammals
The Zoo of Lagos also has many mammals. Examples are the Bolivian squirrel monkey, the chimpanzee, the cape porcupine, the Eurasian lynx, the meerkat, the Indian muntjak, the pygmy hippopotamus and the ring-tailed lemur.
You might recognize the lemur monkeys from the Madagascar movie.
You can also see Lyle’s flying foxes, which are a species of bats.
The hippopotamus always gets plenty of attention from the visitors.
A standing meerkat is always a fabulous sight to see.
Inside the zoo, there is a section called Monkey Island. You can see many monkeys here, interacting with each other and exploring their surroundings.
Don’t miss the extraordinary lar gibbon monkeys.
Fishes
There are also some exotic fish species to be seen in the Zoo of Lagos. Examples are the suckermouth catfish, the mosquito fish or the grass carp.
Reptiles
The zoo has several reptiles. Examples are the snapping turtle, the Greek tortoise, the green iguana, the African dwarf crocodile and the deadly boa constrictor.
You can also see several species of turtles here.
Animal feeding
Every day you have the chance to see how the animals are being fed. Below you can find the schedule of the animal feeding:
- Pelicans: 11.30
- Otters and primates: 15.00
- Lemur monkeys: 11.45 and 16.00
You can only watch the lemurs being fed on appointment. The costs are € 12 per person. Children younger than 7 years old can watch the feeding for free, together with an adult.
The park
The Zoo of Lagos opened in the year 2000. The park highly values to provide more background and information about the animals that live in the park. Acting on their mission of protection, conservation and education, you can expect to learn a lot about the animals. In that sense, Lagos Zoo is a perfect activity for your children that combines entertainment with education.
In the park you can also find a souvenir shop.
Lagos Zoo is friendly to people that have mobility difficulties, welcoming visitors in wheelchairs. The park has a flat layout, providing a good overview. In addition, safety measures are taken for the little ones.
Eating
Very close to the zoo, you can find the O Cangalho restaurant. It offers local and international dishes. Every Tuesday evening they also have fado music night. Next to the restaurant, there are also two snack bars and a picnic area in the zoo.
Costs
The entrance ticket prices to the Zoo of Lagos are as follows:
- Adults: € 19
- Children (3-11 years): € 14
- Seniors (> 65 years): € 17
- Baby and toddlers (0-2 years): free
If you book your tickets in advance online, you save € 2 per ticket. So it is best to book your ticket online beforehand.
Unlimited access card
If you come to the Algarve regularly, you can buy a card that grants unlimited visits to the Zoo. This is called the Friends Club. The costs for joining the Friends Club are:
- Adults: € 100
- Children (3-11 years): € 80
Opening hours
The Lagos Zoo is open every day, all year round. From the first of April until the end of September, the park is open from 10.00 in the morning until 19.00 in the evening. The rest of the year (October – March), the park closes a bit earlier: it opens at 10.00 in the morning and closes again at 17.00 in the afternoon.
During the winter, the Zoo of Lagos is all in the Christmas spirit and receives the name Natalandia. It is a great and festive outing for the entire family to see the park in the winter theme, where you get to meet Santa.
Our tips
Want to experience Lagos Zoo like a local, not a tourist? These are the tips we would give our best friends:
- Go early, stay late. Arrive at opening time to see animals at their most active, then linger into the afternoon when crowds thin out. Most visitors rush through, but the zoo is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace.
- Bring your own picnic. While there are restaurants and snack bars, the shaded picnic area inside the zoo is one of the Algarve’s most peaceful spots for a break. Few visitors take full advantage of it.
- Seek out the gorilla statue. The giant gorilla at the entrance is more than just a quirky landmark: it’s one of the best photo spots in the Algarve for families and groups.
- Look beyond the animals. With more than 200 plant species, Lagos Zoo is actually a botanical garden. Walk slowly, notice the rare flowers, and you’ll see the park in a whole new way.
- Visit in December for Natalandia. This is a completely different zoo experience, with lights, decorations, and Santa himself. Almost no guidebooks mention it, but locals know it’s magical.
How to get to Lagos Zoo
Car
The easiest way to move around in the Algarve is by car. If you don’t have one, make sure to rent a car. Lagos Zoo is located in a small town near Lagos, called Barão de São João. This is near the highway A22. When you are in the town of Lagos, the zoo is located about 18 minutes by car. When you come from Albufeira, you take the Sines exit on the A22 and pass through Bensafrim. Stay on the M525 in the direction of Barão de São João. You will then see signs indicating the Zoo of Lagos.
Taxi
If you didn’t rent a car, you can grab a taxi. Coming from the town of Lagos, this costs about € 15 for a one way trip.
Bus
During high season (beginning of April until the end of September), there runs a bus transfer that takes you from the centre of Lagos straight to Lagos Zoo. The bus stops at Avenida dos Descobrimentos, in front of Alma Café. A bus ticket costs €5 for a one way trip and €8 for a return. The bus schedule is as follows:
From Lagos centre to the Zoo of Lagos
- 9.45
- 11.00
- 13.00
- 15.00
From the Zoo of Lagos to Lagos centre
- 12.30
- 14.30
- 17.00
FAQ
While it’s not a huge safari-style park, the zoo is large enough to spend several hours exploring. It combines animal enclosures with beautiful gardens and over 200 plant species. The size makes it easy to enjoy without feeling rushed.
The zoo is about 8 kilometers from Lagos, which takes around 15–20 minutes by car. A taxi ride from the center of Lagos usually costs about €15 one way. During high season, there’s also a bus transfer available.
Standard prices are €18 for adults, €14 for children aged 4–11, and €16 for seniors over 65. Kids under 3 years old can enter for free. If you buy tickets online in advance, you save €2 per ticket.
The zoo is home to more than 150 species from around the world. You’ll find exotic birds, monkeys, reptiles, and even pygmy hippopotamuses. Each enclosure is designed with the animals’ welfare in mind.
No, Lagos Zoo does not have lions or tigers. Instead, it focuses on smaller and exotic animals like lemurs, flamingos, and wallabies. The zoo is more about biodiversity than large predators.
From April to September, it’s open daily from 10:00 to 19:00. Between October and March, it closes earlier at 17:00. The zoo is open all year round, including weekends and holidays.
Most families spend about 3–4 hours at the zoo. If you plan to see the animal feedings and enjoy the picnic or restaurant, you could easily spend half a day. It’s a relaxed visit rather than a rushed one.
Mornings are usually quieter, and animals tend to be more active. Midday can get warmer in summer, so bring hats and water. If you want to see feedings, check the schedule and plan around those times.
There are daily feedings for pelicans, otters, primates, and lemurs. Pelicans are fed at 11:30, otters and primates at 15:00, and lemurs at 11:45 and 16:00. The lemur feeding requires an appointment and a small extra fee.
Yes, toddlers can enjoy the petting zoo, colorful birds, and wide open walking paths. Entry is free for children under three years old. Strollers can move easily around the flat paths.
Absolutely, the zoo is stroller-friendly. Paths are smooth, and you won’t encounter steep climbs. Many families bring strollers without any issues.
Yes, right next to the zoo there is the O Cangalho restaurant, which serves local and international dishes. On Tuesday evenings, they host live fado music. Inside the zoo, you’ll also find snack bars and a picnic area.
Yes, there is a picnic area where visitors can enjoy their own food. It’s perfect for families who want to take a break without leaving the park. You’ll also find shaded spots for comfort.
The zoo focuses strongly on conservation, education, and animal welfare. Enclosures are designed to be natural and enriching for the animals. Many visitors describe it as feeling more like a botanical garden with animals.
You can take a taxi from Lagos town for about €15 one way. In summer, there is also a dedicated bus that leaves from the Lagos waterfront. Public transport options are otherwise limited, so a car or taxi is easiest.
Definitely. Many couples and adult visitors enjoy the peaceful setting and variety of animals. The botanical garden aspect adds extra appeal even without kids.
In July and August, mornings and midday can be busy with families. Visiting later in the afternoon often means fewer crowds. Booking tickets online helps avoid waiting at the entrance.