Day Trip Around Florence: Pistoia Zoo 🚗🐘

For those in Florence who are thinking of a short getaway, consider visiting the Giardino zoologico di Pistoia without the need to drive yourself. Reservations for the zoo are required in advance, with a limited number of spots available each day. If there are remaining spots, you might be able to book on the same day, especially if it's not a weekend. Highly recommend going on a weekday when crowds are minimal. The zoo is open from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays and until 6 pm on weekends. Admission is 16€. After purchasing your ticket, staff will provide you with a park map. It's advised to follow the numbers indicated on the map to ensure you don't miss any animals or take wrong turns (the layout can be quite confusing). The park is beautiful and clean, though some animal areas may have a strong scent 💩. I entered around 3 pm and stayed until 6 pm. It's recommended to go earlier because many animal exhibits might close by 5:30 pm. There's a restaurant and a supermarket within the park; the prices are reasonably fair. The zoo houses a variety of animals, including flamingos, penguins, monkeys, lions, tigers, and brown bears, among others. However, some animals can be difficult to spot, like rhinos and elephants, which we only saw from their 💩. Perhaps it was too hot, and it was also in the afternoon, so many animals were resting. We missed about ten species, which was a small disappointment. If you have extra time, you can also explore the small city of Pistoia. The city center is close to the station, about a ten-minute walk away. Overall, it's a good short trip option that can be completed in half a day. Friends can make plans to go, and there are plenty of spots for photos. #Italy #Florence #ZooRecommendation