CosmoCaixa

Said to be the biggest science museum in Europe, CosmoCaixa doesn't, perhaps, make the best use of its space. A glass-enclosed spiral ramp runs down an impressive six floors, but actually represents quite a long walk to reach the main collection five floors down. Here you'll find the Flooded Forest, a reproduction of a corner of Amazonia complete with flora and fauna, and the Geological Wall, along with temporary exhibitions.


From here, it's on to the Matter Room, which covers 'inert', 'living', 'intelligent' and then 'civilised' matter: in other words, natural history. However, for all the fanfare made by the museum about taking exhibits out of glass cases and making scientific theories accessible, many of the displays still look very dated. Written explanations often tend towards the impenetrable, containing phrases such as 'time is macroscopically irreversible', and making complex those concepts that previously seemed simple.

On the plus side, the installations for children are excellent: the Planetarium pleases those aged five to eight, and the wonderful Clik (ages three to six) and Flash (seven to nine) introduce children to science through games. Toca Toca! ('Touch Touch') educates children on which animals and plants are safe and which to avoid. One of the real highlights, for both young and old, is the hugely entertaining sound telescope outside on the Plaça de la Ciència.

Address
C/Teodor Roviralta 47-51
Area Beyond the Centre
Transport Bus 60/FGC Avda Tibidabo then Tramvia Blau .
Telephone 93 212 60 50
Open July-mid Sept 10am-8pm daily. Mid Sept-June 10am-8pm Tue-Sun.
Admission €3; €2 reductions; free under-7s. Planetarium €2; €1.50 reductions; free under-7s.