Zoo Santo Inácio

Zoo Santo Inácio in Avintes, on the Gaia side of the Douro, calls itself the largest zoo in the north of Portugal, with more than 200 species. There are keeper talks at the Asian lions and the Humboldt penguins (twice a day from March to October, once in winter), a restaurant, a snack bar by the lake and a picnic area. Babies up to 2 go free; online tickets are €1 cheaper per paid ticket and €2 cheaper for the family ticket.

What the sources say (research)

• Open every day except 1 January, 24 and 25 December. April–September 10:00–18:30; March and October 10:00–17:30; November–February 10:00–16:30. [zoosantoinacio.com]
• Tickets 2026 (online / gate): up to 2 free; child 3–12 €12.90 / €13.90; adult up to 64 €18.90 / €19.90; 65+ €16.90 / €17.90; family 2 adults + 2 children €60.90 / €62.90. Check before you go. [zoosantoinacio.com]
• Keeper talks: lions 11:00 and 17:15, penguins 11:30 and 16:30; the later sessions do not run in January, February, November and December. [zoosantoinacio.com]
• Food: restaurant, Bar do Lago snack bar, and a picnic area for food brought from home. [zoosantoinacio.com]
• Getting there: the zoo gives road directions via the A1/A29 or A20, then the Avintes / Castelo de Paiva exit and N222; free parking with four EV chargers. [zoosantoinacio.com]
• “Luzes Selvagens”, an evening light trail of LED animal figures, is scheduled on selected dates from 16 October to 30 December 2026: 17:30–20:30 in October, 16:30–20:30 in November and December. A day zoo ticket also gives access on those dates. Check the 2026 calendar before you go. [zoosantoinacio.com]

The smaller, cheaper Parque Biológico de Gaia is also in Avintes. More for families: Porto with kids.

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