Lagos Zoo

Lagos Zoo (Zoo de Lagos) is a wonderful zoo located just outside Lagos in Portugal. Home to over 140 different species of animals and hundreds of botanical species, the zoo is all about the animals – their well-being, conservation and protection. It's a great option if you're looking for things to do in the Algarve and it's suitable for all ages - for kids and teens, as well as adults.

At Lagos Zoo, the animals reign supreme. There are no contrived shows and spectacles to entertain visitors. The pleasure is in wandering the grounds and feeling like you are getting a glimpse into the life of thriving animal communities. Some of the animals wander freely – you may cross paths with wallabies, pelicans and peacocks – reinforcing the idea that we are visiting their world, rather than they have been transported to ours. You can even swim, side by side but separately, with a group of African penguins.

Spread over spacious grounds, Lagos Zoo is home to 140 different species of animals. There are wallabies and kangaroos (the only zoo in Portugal to have kangaroos), lemurs, spider and capuchin monkeys, gibbons and chimpanzees, pygmy hippopotamus, bob-cats, meerkats and prairie dogs. There are flamingos and pelicans, otters and pygmy goats, flying fox bats and colourful toucans and parrots.

The African penguins, a threatened species, can be seen at Boulders Beach at Lagos Zoo. Here you can relax on the real sand beach and enjoy a dip in the salt water pool. The penguins swim here too with a glass wall dividing the penguin and human areas giving protection to both while also allowing free observation, above and below water, by both.

Conservation and education are important elements at Lagos Zoo. The zoo participates in several captive breeding programmes through the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and regularly receives endangered species that remain with the zoo for some time, such as Tapirs and Darwin’s Rhea. It also collaborates and supports several conservation NGO projects. The staff are always on hand at Lagos Zoo to offer information and insights and the zoo is a popular venue for school visits.

Feeding time is one of the highlights of a visit to Lagos Zoo – particularly the pelicans, otters and primates. Feeding the Lemurs can also be arranged on request – this is a restricted activity to ensure the well-being of the animals. Check out the video below about feeding time at the zoo.

Lagos Zoo is a great place to visit for all ages. For sure, younger visitors will love the whole experience (the zoo is a super venue for kids’ parties), but adults too will be fascinated by the range of animals they can see and will appreciate how the zoo really does put the welfare of the animals before commercial concerns. Founded in 2000 by Paulo Figueiras, the zoo is fruit of a life-long passion for animals.

There are snack bars and a restaurant as well as picnic areas within the grounds, and it is a really pleasant place in which to spend a few hours.

Lagos Zoo

• Ideal for all ages
• Strong focus on conservation and education
• Home to some endangered species
• Underwater observation of African Penguins (open April to October)
• Super children's birthday party venue
• Excellent annual Christmas festival - Natalandia
• Open all year round

• Click the Book Now button above.
• Children under 4 years of age have free entry.