During our latest Summer Vacation in Gibraltar, we came accross a delightful village named Fuengirola and in it, the most beautiful well run zoo I have seen in a long time.
Fuengirola Zoo is a relatively new attraction, but is one which, I think will survive the ages. It is very family ... Read review
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Advantages: No cages, small entrance fee, glorious sunny location and surroundings Disadvantages: Not a local zoo, it's near Gibraltar, but well woth a visit on holiday!
...accross a delightful village named Fuengirola and in it, the most beautiful well run zoo I have seen in a long time.
Fuengirola Zoo is a relatively new attraction, but is one which, I think will survive the ages. It is very family orientated with it's themed restaurants, open spaces and play and picnic areas for adults and children alike.
It also has a minature farm, where my four year old daughter would have happily ... ...not like an ordinary zoo, and is a vast improvement on the antiquated zoo of the ages where animals are kept in cramped and unrefined conditions.
.You won't find miserable animals pacing up and down shoebox cages, clinging to solitary branches or paddling around in sad puddles.
Instead, as you wander through this simulated tropical forest, lush with vegetation, rivers and waterfalls, you'll see crocodiles basking on ... more
During our latest Summer Vacation in Gibraltar, we came accross a delightful village named Fuengirola and in it, the most beautiful well run zoo I have seen in a long time.
Fuengirola Zoo is a relatively new attraction, but is one which, I think will survive the ages. It is very family orientated with it's themed restaurants, open spaces and play and picnic areas for adults and children alike.
It also has a minature farm, where my four year old daughter would have happily spent most of her day.
Fuengirola is not like an ordinary zoo, and is a vast improvement on the antiquated zoo of the ages where animals are kept in cramped and unrefined conditions.
.You won't find miserable animals pacing up and down shoebox cages, clinging to solitary branches or paddling around in sad puddles.
Instead, as you wander through this simulated tropical forest, lush with vegetation, rivers and waterfalls, you'll see crocodiles basking on the sandy shores of the Nile, Sumatra tigers bathing besides Angkor Wat, lemurs playing around an ancient Baobab tree and, if you're brave, bats flitting around abandoned mines.
The bats were my daughters favorite. After getting over her initial fear of the dark, we could not keep her away from them. This was certainly the most exciting part of the zoo for us, and I eventually found a use for that torch key ring I keep in my hand bag!!
In the Forest Floor section and you'll spot meerkats, giant snails and river hogs. Looking up into the Forest Canopy you can see gibbons and hornbills and many varieties of moneys.
This is another great thing I found with this zoo, not only can you find the more traditional animals here, but also many you've probably never even heard of, such as the Saki, a monkey which resembles an old man!!
Wherever you look in this pioneer zoo, the only thing between you and the animals are natural barriers like bridges and riverbanks, or windows that allow you to get within breathing distance of a variety of animals, even snakes and alligators.
Perhaps the greatest innovation, though, is the "moonlight visit". Throughout July and August the zoo stays open until 1.00 am allowing visitors to observe the more nocturnally-active species, such as wombats, owls, badgers and porcupines.
The forest paths are lit with artificial moonlight and the air filled with a piped forest soundtrack, giving the park that special magical touch you expect to get on a holiday. This zoo offers you an atmosphere that no other zoo could match with it's unihibited scenery and natural feel.
The park has adequte disabled access with most of the zoo grounds being flat and free from steps and other difficult obstacles.
Finally, I would definately recommend visiting this zoo if you are in or around Gibralter. In my opinion, you wouldn't be disappointed, and it is far from you regular zoo.
Opening Times - Daily 10.00 - 20.00, July and August 10.00 - 0100.
Prices - Adults: 8.50€. Senior citizens and children up to 12: 6 €. Children under 4: free 1 euro discount for passengers arriving on the Malaga local train.
Tickets - Available at the zoo box office, hotels, travel agencies, and the Portillo bus terminals.
Address - Avda. Camilo José Cela, Fuengirola. 5 minutes from the bus station and train station.
Fuengirola Zoo is not at all what you're expecting. It is so much better than that. The word "Zoo" certainly has negative connotations for many of us, small cages, mistreated wildlife living in conditions which are totally alien to their natural environment. I am happy to say this is not true of Fuengirla Zoo. Easy to find and well sign-posted from the main bus station Fuengirola Zoo is a tucked away jem waiting to be discovered. With levels of interest ... ...their "natural environment". Fuengirola Zoo was an amazing day out, the walk around the zoo was beautiful with plenty of places to stop and relax in that spanish sun, with play-areas for children. Each enclosure has signs informing the visitor about the animal, and explaining how the area was created.
I get the impression that this zoo will improve and imporve and i sincerely hope i get the opportunity to revist at some point in the future. Your ...
Chuckles1987 15.05.2008
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Advantages: Friendly place for your Holidays Disadvantages: Mad drivers
After recently visiting friends in Fuengirola, Costa Del Sol, Spain I felt I should write this review as it thought it was a really love place to go on holiday.
Fuengirola has had a lot of bad press recently on TV such as on Costa del Streetcrime where it is said to be one of the roughest parts of spain.
I on the other hand had a lovely experience when I recently visited there and loved it.
It is situated between Marbella and Portabenus with easy access to both via train liks and busses/taxis.
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FuengirolaZoo which is quite a nice place to visit with the kids, but it isn?t up to the standards of our British Zoos.
Aqua Land, which is the local water park with some great rides. Only suitable for people over 12, although there is a water park approx 20 mins away in Torremolenos which is suitable ...
Advantages: New, modern hotel, excellent service, very clean, few children, good facilities, very nice area Disadvantages: Single beds pushed together to make a double bed
(although prices at restaurants in the area weren't any cheaper). This end was perhaps more family oriented with more children's attractions, and perhaps would appeal to a family but it had nothing really to offer us for the holiday we wanted.
As well as the many restaurants and bars in the area there are also other attractions that would appeal to adults. The Fuengirolazoo is just a 35 - 40 minute walk away and really is something spectacular and local travel operators run daily trips to Africa and Gibraltar, as well as other Spanish locations such as Puerto Banus and Marbella.
Verdict
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The hotel is definitely more suited to adults (of any age). I would say it is better suited to couples than large groups of friends. We purposely looked for a hotel that wasn't listed as 'family friendly' as we didn ...
Advantages: Everything a great Town and area Disadvantages: you want to stay
, most shop keepers/bar owners etc: could speak perfect English and will go out of their way to assist you. When did you last get that service in England?
Bustling Nightlife to be enjoyed by all, we walked the town as a family at night and never felt threatend in any way, everyone was just having fun.
A short stroll from the town centre is a large open air market, this is on Tuesdays, starts early morning and finishes at about 3.30 pm, just follow the crowds you cant go wrong, Also at the same site on Saturdays is a massive car boot/antiques and collectors sale, same opening times, some real bargains to be had there.
Although I have never been, Fuengirola also has its own water park, and further up the hillside a Zoo.
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dreamscancometrue 18.01.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Fuengirola (Spain)
