Barcelona Zoo from the Festival Village

Choosing these all inclusive apartments in Salou give you the opportunity to spend you well earned extra cash on experiencing what the Costa Dorada has to offer.

What better family excursion then visiting the Barcelona Zoo, with easy transport links from directly outside the Festival Village Apartments it could not be easier for the family to have a fun day out

Barcelona Zoological Park first opened its gates on the Day of the Merçe, patron saint of Barcelona, 1982. The collection of animals on show there came from a private collection kept by Lluís Martí I Codolar at la Granja Vella, his estate in Horta. He offered the animals to Barcelona city Council, and the mayor, Manuel Porcar, gave his approval to their purchase and the subsequent move to the publicly-owned site that was left vacant in Ciutadella Park after the 1988 Universal Exposition.

The approach to the zoological park has evolved with the times, forming a process in which improvements in the living conditions of the animals has been the prime objective

Barcelona Zoo is set in a magnificent garden over 100 years old, covering 13 hectares of Ciutadella Park and containing a collection of some 7,500 individual animals belonging to more than 400 species from all over the world, including:

A large collection of primates, all in danger of extinction. Barcelona Zoo was privileged to have had Snowflake (Gorilla) who was the star attraction. He was the only albino gorilla known to exist, and was found in 1966 in what was the Spanish Guinea. He lived with a total of 4 females, all black, and they had many offspring, 5 of which 1 male and 4 females survived. Nevertheless, the Bormean orangutants (Pongo pygmaeus) are also important – a baby called Jawie was born in 1997 – as is the collection of this, the world’s smallest monkeys, and the small primate house, where there are the grey and collared mangabeys (Cercocebus sp.), whose reproduction in captivity is being monitored by our zoologists. Snowflake died in 2003.

The collection of tamarins, the smallest monkeys in the world and the gallery of small primates, the grey mangabey and white-crowned mangabey (Cercocebus sp.) among others, whose reproduction in captivity is controlled by the zoo. There are lots more animals for everyone to see and enjoy for a fantastic family holiday.

This Salou apartments, the unique to offer all inclusive in Salou, is the perfect base to discover Salou, the Costa Dorada and Barcelona.

Barcelona from the Festival Village Apartments in Salou

Barcelona is just about 111 kilometres from the Festival Village Apartments in Salou, an energetic, vibrant and cosmopolitan city that lives looking out over the sea, where culture, art and design dazzles visitors and form part of the daily life of the city’s inhabitants. Visit some of the amazing sites of Barcelona during your stay.

Visit Nou Camp Stadium which is home to the worlds famous Barcelona Football Club. You can go into the stadium and view the pitch from the top of the 105.000 seater stadium, which is the second largest in the world. If you are a huge football fan then visit the 3 store shop and pick up an authentic Barcelona souvenir. You can also visit the famous trophy room and football memorabilia museum. If that is not enough sport for you, you can visit the Olympic Stadium. Spain held the Olympics here in 1992 and claimed 13 gold medals.

Heading into the centre of the city is where you will find some of the best architecture in the whole of Europe. The Sagrada Familia or church of the holy family, an inspired work by the architect Antonio Gaudi, is one of the many amazing sights to experience.

Walk down Las Ramblas, and marvel at the street entertainers and human statues or sit back and relax in one of the many street side cafes. At the top of Las Ramblas you will find Plaza Cataluña surrounded by shops for all those who love to shop till the drop. One of the most famous stores is the Corte Ingles, Spain’s answer to Harrods. It is has nine floors which is a shopper’s paradise. Also around Plaza Cataluña you will find Barcelona’s very own Hard Rock Café and Famous Iron Fountain. Legend has it that once you drink from the fountain you will never leave the city and once you’ve been there you probably won’t want to.

Heading down to the harbour is where you will find the Maremagnum shopping centre, the Barcelona Aquarium and the Barcelona Zoo. Going up the highest point in Barcelona to Montjuic is where you can experience the beautiful panoramic views across the city. At night time don’t forget to visit the Palace of Barcelona and experience the famous magical luminous fountain displays.

Barcelona has something to offer everyone, and is well worth a visit with easy transport links from right outside the Festival Village Apartments the ideal family base for a fantastic all inclusive holiday in Salou. Combining the freedom of large one and two bedrooms apartments with all the facilities of an all inclusive hotel, the Festival Village in Salou offers the best of both worlds.