Zoobotánico Jerez, Botanical garden and zoological park in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
Zoobotánico Jerez is a combined zoo and botanical garden in Jerez de la Frontera, in the south of Spain, housing animals from several continents alongside a varied plant collection. The grounds are laid out with open enclosures, planted walkways, and shaded sections that form a continuous outdoor space.
The Zoobotánico Jerez opened in 1953, making it one of the first places in Spain to bring together a zoological collection and a botanical garden under one management. Over the following decades, the site grew in size and shifted its focus increasingly toward the protection of endangered species.
The garden's name comes from the Tempul springs, whose water reached the city through tanks built here in 1889. On 25 September 2002 the regional government of Andalusia declared it a Garden of Cultural Interest for its work for nature, including the removal of two invasive African plants from the Bahía de Cádiz natural park and the 1996 rescue of wild narcissi from roadworks in Medina Sidonia.
The grounds cover a large area, so comfortable shoes and enough time are both worth planning for before the visit. In summer, arriving in the morning is a good idea, as the afternoon heat in Jerez can be intense.
The zoo opened in 1953 as Parque Zoológico y Jardín Botánico Alberto Durán, named after the man behind the project. Its botanical side is among the oldest in Spain, with over 1,000 trees of some 150 species, including palms that are a century old. Look for the Jardín de los Alcornocales, opened for the centre's 58th anniversary with funding from the Fundación Jaime González-Gordon.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,106 contributors worldwide.