The top 10 zoos and aquariums in Europe have been revealed – and two of them are in the UK.
Bringing up the rear on the list in tenth is Bioparc Valencia in Spain. According to Tripadvisor, it employs a special type of concept known as “zooimmersion” whereby visitors are surrounded “by meticulous recreations of the natural habitats being presented”.
They added that predatory species are also integrated into the experience but are “separated from other species by barriers invisible to the eye of the visitor”. As well as the tenth best zoo in Europe it is the twelfth best thing to do in Valencia.
In ninth is the UK’s first entry onto the list with Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World. Over 30 years, this facility has provided entertainment to countless families and won the National Farm Park of the Year.
Hoo Zoo is reportedly very keen on conservation and emphasises that message through education and informative meet and greets when people enter the park.
In eighth place is the second UK entry on the list with Chester Zoo, the UK’s number one charity zoo and the best thing to do in Chester according to Tripadvisor. It acts as home to 500 different species and 21,000 animals.
Just under two million people visit the zoo every single year, a number which has rebounded in recent years after the Covid-19 pandemic. What’s more, parking is both onsite and free at the zoo.
Prague Zoo near the centre of the capital city pips Chester into seventh. Opened in 1931, it recently celebrated its 90th birthday. 5,079 animals and 676 species call the park home while a variety of attractions are available for visitors of all ages.
Sixth place is occupied by another return to Valencia and the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. A massive complex, it is home to Europe’s largest aquarium where visitors can look at over 500 different waterborne species.
Cracking the top five is Brugelette’s Pairi Daiza which is home to numerous endangered species and around 7,000 animals.
Based in Belgium, some of the endangered species live in the Jardin des Mondes as part of protection and breeding programmes. According to Tripadvisor, it is the number one thing to do in Brugelette.
Missing out on the podium in fourth is our third trip to Valencia to the Oceanografic Valencia, the largest aquarium in Europe that is so good it has appeared twice on Tripadvisor’s list.
Taking bronze is ZooParc de Beauval in Saint-Aignan, France. Ranked as the best thing to do in the region, visitors have praised the venue for its “rare and exotic animals” and clean enclosures featuring “happy” animals.
In second, is Tenerife’s Loro Parque. Tripadvisor describes it as “world famous” and “adored”. Visitors praised the venue for its variety of shows, natural scenery, and child-friendly activities.
Taking victory as the best zoo or aquarium in Europe is the Oceanario de Lisboa in Portugal. Tripadvisor said it is a “world-renowned public aquarium, an inspiring “window” into the ocean, establishing an emotional connection with the public, and encouraging positive personal relationships with the ocean”.
Visitors described it as “nice”, “one of the best aquariums”, and “an amazing experience”.
