The science park, known as the Parque de las Ciencias in Spanish, is based just outside the center of Granada. Visiting it makes a fantastic day-out for the whole family.
About the Parque de las Ciencias
The Parque de las Ciencias opened in 1995 and was Andalusia’s first interactive museum.
It covers more than 70,000m2 – the park is big. Very big. You’d probably need a couple of days to see it properly.
As the museum is conveniently divided into sections, you can plan beforehand what you really want to see and leave the rest if you have any time.
What to see and do?
There are seven permanent exhibition halls and various areas for temporary exhibitions.
One of the most popular is the ‘Journey into the human body,’ section which takes you on an interactive guide into the origins of mankind and how various body parts work.
Children can weigh themselves and see the exact amount of water they have in their bodies filling up next to them, see their bodies in infrared imagery, or use any one of the interactive consoles explaining how the various parts of the body, mind and senses work.
One of the most fascinating, is a mind game. You sit in front of an “adversary” with your head resting on a metal “reader.”
Between the two of you, is a machine with a metal ball inside, you push the ball using the gamma waves you transmit. The person who is the most restful and meditative wins. Amazing stuff !
Planetarium
The digital planetarium was another highlight. Using 110 different projectors to reproduce over 7,000 stars.
You are taken on a season-by-season voyage across Granada’s night sky with the Alhambra, the Albaicin and other famous Granadino landmarks as a backdrop.
Other permanent exhibitions include the cultural gallery, the library, the cinemas and for smaller children the ‘Windows to Science,’ a play area with, of course, a scientific theme.
The displays bring together health, the environment, the scientific legacy of Andalusian culture, architecture, literature, physics, chemistry, mechanics and astronomy, among other topics.
The temporary Mummies Exhibition in 2015
This year's temporary exhibition features fifty mummies from different countries. There are pieces from 24 different organizations across the world.
Collaborating institutions are the Library of Alexandria (Egypt) el Anthropological and Ethnography Museum of the University of Turin (Italia) the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology de Bolzano (Italy), The university of Oporto´s Natural History Museum (Portugal) the Museums Partner of Innsbruck (Austria) and the Suermondt-Ludwig- Museum in Aachen (Germany).
Truly an international effort and one of a kind.
For more information on the 2015 Mummies Exhibition.
Butterflies and Birds of Prey
There are also extensive outdoor areas (27,000m2) with green areas, parks, an enclosed tropical butterfly house (very similar to the butterfly park in Benalmádena – yet a lot smaller), an astronomical observatory – which hosts special star gazing nights, a birds of prey display, a mental gymnastics tent, a 50m high observation tower that offers spectacular views over Granada and much, much more!!!
A visit is highly recommended – children will love it. There is no better to way to satisfy curious little minds.
Prices and Opening Times
Adult entrance to the museum – 7€
Children (under 18s) to the museum – 6€
The planetarium is an extra 2.50€ for adults and 2€ for children
Open from Tuesdays until Saturdays from 10am until 7pm. Sundays and holidays from 10am until 3pm. More information here.
Getting there and Google map
The science park is within easy walking distance from the centre of Granada.
When coming from Malaga/Costa del Sol area – take the motorway A-92, as it approaches Granada keep your eyes open for the exit 241A that merges onto the E-902/A-44 toward Granada and Sierra Nevada.
Take the exit 129 – towards Recogidas, you will then be on Calle Neptuno. Right onto Camino de Ronda and then right again onto Ctra de Motril – the park is on your left (you can’t miss it and its well signposted from the motorway exit).
Address - Parque de las Ciencias, Avenida de la Ciencia, s/n, 18006 Granada. Tel. +34 958 13 19 00. Website.