
Faunia
A nature park in indoor habitats with polar penguins, a tropical forest and bird flights, 8 km east of the centre.
Last updated: 20 October 2026
Photo: FDV · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia
- Type
- Family fun
- Area
- Retiro & Salamanca
- Opening hours
- Autumn–winter: Thu–Fri 11:00–17:00, Sat–Sun 11:00–18:00; closed Mon–Wed except holidays (calendar on faunia.es)
- Price
- €33.95
- Time needed
- 210 min
- Official website
- faunia.es
What to expect
Faunia is a nature park in the east of Madrid. It opened in 2001 as the Parque Biológico de Madrid and took the name Faunia in 2002. It covers about 14 hectares and keeps around 4,000 animals of some 500 species.
Instead of a classic zoo layout, the park is organised into areas that represent different ecosystems, including the jungle, the polar regions and an African forest. Experiences such as the Expedición Polar and the Tormenta tropical bring those habitats to life, and the park offers educational talks, for example on lemurs and meerkats, as well as animal experiences with manatees and other species. Check the park's website for what is on during your visit.
Don't miss
- The polar area with penguins
- The jungle area and its tropical storm
- The African forest
- Sea lions
- Educational talks on lemurs and meerkats
Tips for your visit
- It is out east, so allow time for the journey rather than squeezing it between other sights.
- Check the website for talks and special experiences, and book those that need it.
- Dress in layers, as the polar and jungle areas have very different climates.
- Allow most of a day if you want to see the different areas without rushing.
Getting there from Puerta del Sol (Kilometre Zero, Bear and Strawberry Tree)
🚇 15 min by metro (line Metro L2 Sol → Retiro (3 stops), then walk to the park: Sol → Retiro) · 10.3 km · 129 min walk
Where to eat nearby
No restaurant within a 15-minute walk: eat before or after your visit.
Breakfast nearby
No breakfast spot within a 15-minute walk. Have breakfast near your hotel or in the centre before you go.
Other sights nearby
- Madrid Planetarium · Family fun · 🚇 ~35 min by public transport
- Railway Museum (Museo del Ferrocarril) · Museum · 🚇 ~35 min by public transport
- Matadero Madrid · Museum · 🚇 28 min by metro (line Metro L2 Retiro → Sol, then L1 Sol → Tirso de Molina, or walk through Atocha: Retiro → La Latina) · 8.4 km · 105 min walk
Add Faunia to your plan → Build a day around it with walking times and restaurants.