Zoolandia, Zoo in Lieto, Finland
Zoolandia is a zoo in Lieto, in southwestern Finland, with both indoor and outdoor sections where animals from different parts of the world live in purpose-built enclosures. The grounds also include accommodation options and places to eat, making it possible to stay for more than a day.
The zoo opened in 1984 and over the following decades it grew into one of the better-known zoos in southwestern Finland. New enclosures and facilities were added gradually as the collection of animals expanded.
The small animal area draws families with young children who can watch the animals up close and at their own pace. Many visitors spend more time here than in other parts of the grounds, because the contact with the animals feels direct and natural.
The zoo sits north of Turku and is easiest to reach by car, with parking available directly on the grounds. Those who want to see both the indoor and outdoor sections without rushing should plan for at least half a day.
The grounds have a genuine Finnish smoke sauna that visitors can use after walking around the zoo. A sauna inside a zoo is rare anywhere in the world, and this one follows the traditional Finnish method of heating with wood and no chimney.
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