Butterfly Park, Empuriabrava

When we were looking for things to do with the kids in Empuriabrava we came across the Butterfly Park on internet searches and drove past the road sign for it a couple of times.  On our last day we decided to head there for an hour or two and I must admit I don’t think any of us were expecting much.

Living in London you become spoilt with the many attractions and museums and it can encourage a bit of a ‘been there, done that’ attitude and I was expecting the Butterfly Park in Empuriabrava to be similar to the butterfly attraction at London Zoo, a quick walk through with some butterflies around.

We drove over from our villa which took about 10-15 minutes and there was plenty of parking with only a handful of cars already there.  Entry is 9.50 euro for adults and children aged 4-11 years cost 7.50 euro.  You can also leave at any time that day and get re-entry on the day.

As we walked in I think we all realised that our initial perceptions of the Butterfly Park were wrong.  Yes, it was hot, but it was like walking into a tropical rainforest.  Unsurprisingly there were butterflies everywhere, just flying about and on the trees and feeding posts but also on the floor, you had to watch your step and I imagine some must get squashed.  They were really beautiful though, all different colours.

Gorgeous butterflies in the Butterfly Park, Empuriabrava

But, we hadn’t realised that there were other animals, not just butterflies.  Since we’ve visited I’ve found out more about the place and it’s actually described as a ‘small tropical zoo’ which is spot on in its description.  The noise in there was a surprise, who knew butterflies made such a loud noise?  Well they don’t, but the different birds that lived there too certainly did.  You could get so close to them too, they were really tame.  I wish I was a better photographer as these photos don’t really do it justice.

Love these birds

We came across this toucan just wandering around the path that we were on, and were literally this close, there is no zoom.  How cool is that?  And this iguana, who just happened to be on a rock we walked past.

How cool is this toucan?

Hello there iguana

The big no-no for me was the bat cave.  Urgh!  I hate bats, I always have.  I totally buy the urban myth about them getting caught up in your hair when they are flying around.  Before we had kids Mr ATWWAH and I went to northern Spain on holiday and I literally crawled over a bridge one night as there were bats flying over it.  I by-passed the bat cave but everyone else wandered through, apparently they were asleep.  Yeah, right!  My in-laws ‘kindly’ bought Master ATWWAH a toy bat in the gift shop at the end of the visit for 2 euro which he christened ‘Batty’, even that gives me the creeps and it isn’t real.

Master ATWWAH exploring in the Butterfly Park

We found this little chap having a stroll as we were heading out towards the end of our visit.  And outside there were some muntjac, or barking deer to you and me.

The tortoise was trying to escape near one of the gates

Unsurprisingly being a tropical zoo it is hot inside but other than that it’s a great place to take the kids for a couple of hours.  There is a small gift shop as you leave and a snack bar with much needed ice cream for sale where you can sit in the shade and eat.  It’s definitely worth a visit, for lots more info check out their website.

Have you ever visited anywhere on holiday and been prepared to be underwhelmed?  I’d love to hear about it.

If you like this post take a look at these:

Family friendly Empuriabrava

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Things to do with kids in Lanzarote