World-class wildlife park in Puerto de la Cruz with Europe's largest collection of parrots plus orcas, gorillas, tigers, sea lions, and crocodiles. One of Europe's best zoological parks.
Loro Parque sits on the northern coast of Tenerife in Puerto de la Cruz and has grown from a parrot garden founded in 1972 into one of Europe's most highly awarded zoological parks, consistently placing among the world's top-rated wildlife attractions. The park's name derives from its original speciality — parrots — a commitment maintained to this day with over 3000 birds representing more than 350 species, forming the largest parrot collection on the planet. The collection ranges from tiny pygmy parrots to striking hyacinth macaws, displayed across aviaries integrated into the park's lush subtropical garden setting. Beyond parrots, Loro Parque houses a broad roster of large animals: orca (killer whales), bottlenose dolphins, western lowland gorillas, Sumatran tigers, giant anteaters, sea lions, and crocodiles. The orca and dolphin programmes are staged multiple times daily in large stadium pools and are among the most popular draws for families. The park's penguin exhibit — PlanetPenguin — is one of the world's largest indoor penguin environments, housing around 200 birds across four species in climate-controlled habitats replicating Patagonian and Sub-Antarctic conditions, including artificial snow. The gorilla troop occupies a spacious forested island enclosure, and the tiger habitat allows close-range observation through reinforced glass panels at eye level. Loro Parque funds conservation through the Loro Parque Foundation, which supports wild parrot and primate conservation programmes across more than 40 countries. A full circuit of the park, including attending the main shows, takes a minimum of five to six hours. Direct shuttle coaches connect the park to hotels in the southern resorts and Santa Cruz.
Good to know
- Hours
- 08:30–18:45 daily
Highlights
- World's largest parrot collection with over 3000 birds across 350 species in subtropical garden aviaries
- PlanetPenguin walk-through habitat housing 200 penguins from four species in climate-controlled environments
- Orca and dolphin demonstration shows staged multiple times daily in large stadium pools
- Gorilla island enclosure with a western lowland gorilla troop in naturalistic forest surroundings
- Sumatran tiger habitat with eye-level reinforced glass observation windows
Tips for visiting
- Purchase tickets online in advance to receive a discount and skip the entry queue at the gate
- Arrive at opening time (08:30) to see the most active animals before midday heat slows them
- Check the show timetable at the gate on arrival and plan the route around the main demonstrations
- The park covers a large area; comfortable footwear is essential as a full visit involves several kilometres of walking
- Families with young children should allow five or more hours to cover the main exhibits at a relaxed pace
- The PlanetPenguin exhibit is significantly cooler than the rest of the park — bring a layer if visiting in winter
When to visit
The park operates year-round and the covered indoor exhibits make it viable in any weather. Weekday mornings in autumn and winter are the least crowded. Midday in summer can be very warm on the open pathways between exhibits.
Accessibility
The park's main pathways are paved and largely flat, with ramp access connecting all major exhibits. Wheelchair-friendly routes are available throughout. A limited number of wheelchairs are available for hire at the entrance on a first-come basis. Some elevated viewpoints and older sections of the park involve steps, though ground-level alternatives are generally available.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Loro Parque take?
A thorough visit covering the main animal exhibits and attending two or three shows takes five to seven hours. Visitors focusing only on specific areas can complete a shorter circuit in three to four hours.
Is Loro Parque suitable for young children?
Yes. The park is designed with families in mind, offering ample seating at shows, pram-friendly paths throughout, and child-level viewing windows at many enclosures. The penguin exhibit and parrot shows are particularly popular with younger visitors.
Is photography allowed at Loro Parque?
Personal photography and video are freely permitted throughout the park, including at animal shows. Drone flights are not permitted within the park grounds.