Things to do in Italy, Italy: The Best Zoos & Aquariums

The Alberto Avesani Farm was founded back in 1933 and covers 64 hectares of hills inland of Lake Garda, in Bussolengo, Verona province.A zoological park of about 24 hectares called Garda Zoo Park was conceived in 1965. Opened on June 25 1969, it hosted both indigenous and exotic animals.In 1973 a new area dedicated to African mammals and birds, the Safari Park, was added, which visitors could access in their own car.In 1978 the whole facility was expanded with the addition of new areas: the Aquaterrarium, the Tropical Greenhouse, and the Dinosaur Park, where visitors had the chance to admire life-size models of prehistoric reptiles for the first time in Italy.In 1985 a comprehensive reorganization process was started on a zoological, architectural and managerial level.

Parco Zoo Punta Verde is a privately run zoo and consequently receives no public funds. Its revenue is derived solely from its entrance fees. Parco Zoo Punta Verde’s mission is founded on four key points: Education of the public to raise awareness and sensitivity about animals and the environment, with targeted educational programs aimed at the general public and schools of all types and levels. Conservation of endangered species through in situ and ex situ programmes. The zoo’s visitors are active participants in its awareness and fundraising campaigns that allow endangered species to be protected in their natural habitats while offering the local populations opportunities for sustainable development. Research via partnerships with organizations such as universities, museums and scientific institutions in general. And last, but not least, the excitement of a day out for adults and children alike, in a pleasant setting that brings them into contact with nature, thus helping to respect it. Visiting a modern zoo means ensuring a future for nature, thanks to all the ventures aimed at preserving its delicate balance. Parco Zoo Punta Verde covers an area of 100,000 square metres in a loop of the Tagliamento river, in the north-western part of the Lignano peninsula, and is home to over 1,000 animals of around 200 species of mammals, birds and reptiles. The zoo is open from March to November; opening hours can be found on the official website

Parco monotematico riservato ai grandi felini. Siamo un team di animals trainer per la cinematografia che attraverso la visita (solo ed esclusivamente guidata e solo su prenotazione) cerca di spiegare come la cattività animale sia spesso fraintesa. Dimostrano come avviene l'addestramento e come esso sia parte integrante dell'attività con gli animali. L'addestramento solo ed esclusivamente con rinforzo positivo e i livelli di confidenza che raggiungiamo con i nostri animali. La nostra struttura propone diverse tipologia di visita (non tutte adatte ai bambini) che permettono di apprezzare le diverse attività connesse agli animali.

The Folia Bio butterfly house and park represents a uniquely educational place in Sardinia of its kind. Surrounded by the enchanting Mediterranean nature, Butterfly House Sardegna gives hospitality to over 400 butterflies, free to fly into a subtropical natural environment, where you can dive into a particular and engaging nature experience. A few minutes from the most beautiful beaches of Alghero, the first Subtropical Biosphere of Sardinia is born. It is a wonderful garden, unique of its kind. Inside our greenhouse is recreated a rainforest environment, where you can find, along with the spectacular butterflie, other small animals such as beetles, leaf insects, steer insect, religious mantises. A didactic area allows you to learn about the butterflies' life cicle. Discover the usefulness for their importance in the pollination favor. The Butterfly House is surrounded by the wonderful setting of the Park of the Essences. You can spend a wonderful day in the beautiful Mediterranean swimming pool. Inside the park a dining area allows the visitors to taste the authentic products of the area.

The Acquario di Genova was built on the occasion of the Expo ’92, a celebration of the fifth centenary of the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus, with the intention of restructuring and enhancing an area full of history and traditions, located in the heart of Genoa’s historic centre, the Porto Antico (the old port). It’s the biggest aquarium in Europe.

Villa Pallavicino was a private residence in 1855, when it was purchased by Ruggero Bonghi, statesman and writer. In 1862 the ownership was transferred to the noble Genoese Pallavicino family who enlarged the estate, transforming it into a nineteenth-century neoclassical style villa. In 1956 the Pallavicino family decided to transform their marvellous garden into a wildlife museum open to the public. In July 2017, the Pallavicino Park became part of the Borromeo tourist circuit. The trees are the greatest feature of this park: centuries old chestnut trees and liriodendrons, among the oldest in Italy, red beeches, maples, larches, the majestic ginko biloba, tall sequoias and fragrant magnolias. A real attraction is the imposing cedar of Lebanon, in the natural amphitheatre outside the villa.