Bioparc València

Bioparc València is a new-generation zoo that changed the concept when it opened in 2008 in Cabecera Park, at the western end of the old Turia riverbed. There are no bars and no cages here: the park is built around the concept of zoo-immersion, in which it is the visitor who steps into the animals' habitat, not the other way round. Hidden moats, rivers, rocks and dense vegetation make the barriers practically invisible, so Africa seems to begin the moment you walk through the gate.

What makes it special

Across some 100,000 m², four African environments are recreated: the Savannah, the Wetlands, the Equatorial Forest and Madagascar. As in the wild, many species share their space: gazelles, zebras and ostriches share the plain, and gorillas live alongside other primates. The feeling of being inside the landscape rather than watching it from outside wins over even people who don't usually like zoos.

What to see

• The Savannah, with elephants, giraffes, rhinos and lions.
• The Madagascar walk-through, where you can stroll among free-roaming lemurs.
• The Kitum cave gallery and the gorillas of the Equatorial Forest.
• The open-air amphitheatre, ringed by acacias and baobabs, where the animal talks take place.

Getting there and tips

You enter by crossing a bridge about 154 metres long that leads straight into Madagascar. You can get there by metro (lines 3, 5 and 9, Nou d'Octubre stop, a 5-minute walk), by bus (98 and 99, stopping right at the gate) or on foot and by bike along the Turia Gardens. It's worth going early: in the afternoon heat the animals hide and the crowds build.

Insider tip: most visitors eat between 14:00 and 16:00, so those hours are good for exploring the busiest zones with barely any queues. You can bring your own food and use the picnic areas. It works well for a family day out, and pairs with a walk around Cabecera Park and its lake; check what to do in València too, to fit it into your route.