Zoos & aquariums in Europe worth planning a day around

A handful of European wildlife parks have outgrown the label "zoo": Loro Parque in Tenerife and Pairi Daiza in Belgium trade top spots in the world rankings year after year, Oceanogràfic in València is Europe's largest aquarium complex, and the Aquarium of Genoa anchors Italy's old-port waterfront.

These are full-day destinations with timed shows, serious conservation programmes and ticket options that reward booking ahead. Each guide below covers prices, feeding and show schedules to plan around, and how to combine your visit with the surrounding city or coast.