Bioparco Rome

History & Significance

Bioparco Rome traces back to 1908, when a group of investors founded the "Società Anonima per il Giardino Zoologico." They brought in Carl Hagenbeck to plan the site, who had recently developed the concept of a bar-less zoo at his own park in Hamburg-Stellingen: moats instead of cages, open enclosures designed to resemble natural habitats. The zoo opened on January 5, 1911, with Mayor Ernesto Nathan in attendance, on a 12-hectare site in the northern part of Villa Borghese.

In 1935, architect Raffaele De Vico expanded the site to its current 17 hectares. During this period, a reptile house and a large aviary with a geodesic dome structure were built, unique in Europe at the time. The zoo went on to become one of the most significant on the continent.

After World War II, the zoo increasingly fell into decline, with aging enclosures and tight budgets shaping the following decades. In 1994, the idea emerged to transform the site into a modern bioparco. The concept was put into action in 1998: the zoo was rebranded as Bioparco, with a stronger focus on research, species conservation, and housing endangered species. In 2004, the newly founded Fondazione Bioparco di Roma officially took over as the operating body.

Today, the Bioparco is home to more than 1,000 animals from over 200 species and takes part in international breeding programs for endangered species. As a member of the zoo associations EAZA and WAZA, it works together with other zoological institutions around the world.

Opening hours

Bioparco Rome is open year-round, except for December 25. Opening hours change seasonally, and the ticket counters and last entry close one hour before the park closes.

March 1 – October 25, 2026

On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays between March 30 and October 5, 2026, Bioparco stays open later, until 7:00 PM.

Tickets & Prices

Admission to Bioparco Rome costs €19.00 for adults at the ticket counter. Children from 1 meter tall up to age 10, as well as seniors 65 and older, pay the reduced price of €14.00; on Wednesdays, seniors additionally get a special rate of €9.00. Children under 1 meter tall get free admission. Visitors with a 100% disability rating visit the Bioparco free of charge together with a companion; for a lower disability rating, the price is €11.00. Since 2026, there's also an open ticket with no fixed date, valid for 6 months from purchase.

Where can you buy Bioparco tickets?

Tickets for Bioparco Rome are available online through the official website, directly at the ticket counter by the main entrance, through travel agencies and online ticket providers, and at tourist information centers, such as at Termini station. Booking online skips the line at the counter, which is especially worth it on weekends and public holidays.

Directions & Location

Bioparco Rome sits inside Villa Borghese park, one of the city's largest public parks. By metro, take Line A to "Flaminio – Piazza del Popolo," from there it's about a 20-minute walk through the park to the entrance. Tram line 19 gets you closer, to the "Bioparco" stop, as does the bus, which stops right at the entrance under the same name.

Driving is possible, but parking around the park is limited and, like most parking in Rome, more trouble than it's worth. Bike-share or e-scooter rentals, widely available around Rome, are another way to reach the Bioparco.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Bioparco Rome