CosmoCaixa Barcelona

CosmoCaixa or the Museu de la Ciència de Barcelona is Barcelona’s premier science museum. Inside, you can endlessly experiment and learn all sorts of interesting things about the earth, animals, humans, and science in general. Although the museum is fun for all ages, it is definitely a must with young children. Here, they can participate in all kinds of experiments, play, and discover new things.

What to See and Do at CosmoCaixa Museum

CosmoCaixa is a leading science museum covering a wide range of topics. The museum offers a wide range of exhibitions and workshops, mostly intended for a young audience. No wonder this is one of the coolest family outings in Barcelona!

The Museum Building

Upon arrival, the museum stands out due to its location. The CosmoCaixa museum is housed in an old building from 1909. It was designed by architect Josep Domènech i Estapà in Modernista style as an asylum for the blind.

Inside is a modern museum with no less than 5 different floors that go deep and a huge courtyard called Plaça de la Ciència.

What certainly stands out at the entrance is the enormous staircase that goes down and where a huge tree from the Amazon hangs.

The Permanent Collection

The CosmoCaixa museum has a permanent collection on the lower floor where visitors can endlessly experiment and discover new things about science and physics.

In the Sala Univers, visitors take a journey through the history of matter, from the Big Bang to the present. The permanent exhibition is divided into four areas: inert matter, living matter, intelligent matter, and civilized matter.

Here, visitors can experiment to their heart’s content to better understand the laws of physics and the phenomena of daily life: from light, sound, weight, and speed to gravity, microorganisms, and ecosystems.

At the geological wall (the Mur Geològic), it is also possible to see different pieces of rocks from all over the world, while at the Antarctic base (the Base Antàrtica), a photo exhibition can be found about the exploration trips to the South Pole.

But the most fun is undoubtedly the flooded jungle, the Bosc Inundat, which simulates the ecosystem of the Amazon and where you can walk through and spot all kinds of fish, animals, and plants. But watch out, because occasionally there is a heavy downpour!

Experiments

Everywhere in the museum, there are things to see or play with, buttons to press, and activities to do: all senses are stimulated and children learn all sorts of things while playing. Even the youngest can enjoy this!

Courtyard of CosmoCaixa

On the large courtyard of the museum, called Plaça de la Ciència, a beautiful and sunny esplanade opens with various gardens and a terrace where you can grab a bite to eat.

On the square, it is also possible to see a meteorological station.

Souvenir Shop and Restaurant of CosmoCaixa

At Plaça de la Ciència, there is the bar-restaurant of the museum with the accompanying terrace. It is a great place to grab a bite or take a break. The prices are also very affordable.

The restaurant is also very child-friendly and has high chairs and a changing room.

The souvenir shop of the CosmoCaixa museum belongs to the Laie bookstore chain and is located next to the ticket office. At the souvenir shop, you can buy all kinds of books and games. Great to take as a souvenir or to give as a gift!

Events at CosmoCaixa

Regularly new temporary exhibitions are held at the CosmoCaixa museum on numerous relevant topics. These can be visited with your general admission ticket.

At the CosmoCaixa museum, daily lectures, films, theater performances, and workshops are given on a wide variety of topics. From the universe to the earth, humans, or nature. These activities, however, are only offered at certain times and separate tickets must be purchased for them.

It is therefore advisable to take a look at the museum’s agenda before visiting it. This way, you know what is planned for that day and you can reserve tickets in advance. Most activities also include an age indication and the language, but be aware, as most of these activities are offered in Spanish or Catalan.

Children’s Activities at CosmoCaixa

In addition to the interesting permanent collection, the CosmoCaixa museum offers all kinds of workshops and theater performances for children from 3 years old.

The museum also offers space for children to investigate and learn new things, for example in the Planetarium, where they can take a journey through the universe, the Sala Materia, where they can turn into real scientists, the Creactivity, where they can design things themselves, or the Toca Toca, where they can do all sorts of sensory activities.

For all these activities, a separate ticket applies. Check the agenda for availability and corresponding age.

History of CosmoCaixa Museum

The CosmoCaixa Museum was opened in 1981 as the Museu de la Ciència de Barcelona on the site of the former asylum for the blind (L’Empar de Santa Llúcia). The institution had existed for 75 years in a beautiful building designed by modernist architect Josep Domènech i Estapà.

The museum belonged to the Fundació La Caixa (a charitable organization of the Catalan bank La Caixa) and was the first interactive science museum in all of Spain.

After a thorough renovation and expansion of the museum in 2004, it changed its name to CosmoCaixa and became one of the most prominent science museums in all of Europe.

In 2006, the CosmoCaixa museum won the award for the best museum in Europe and has since been an example of modernity and sustainability.

Today, the CosmoCaixa museum is one of the coolest science museums in Spain and a must-see if you’re traveling with children.

Tickets CosmoCaixa Museum

Tickets for the CosmoCaixa museum can be purchased on-site or online. The latter is recommended to skip the long queues at the ticket office.

Admission tickets for this museum are only €6 per person. The CosmoCaixa museum is also free for children under 16 years old, making it one of the cheapest outings for families you can find in Barcelona. For the other workshops and lectures held here daily, other rates apply.

How to Get to CosmoCaixa

CosmoCaixa is located at Carrer d’Isaac Newton, 26, next to the Ronda de Dalt on the northern side of Barcelona. You can reach the museum by both private and public transport.

Buses 196 and H2 have a stop right in front of the CosmoCaixa museum, as does the Barcelona Bus Turístic tourist bus.

Another option (especially if you’re coming from the center) is to take the L7 city train from the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat to Av. Tibidabo. There, get off the train and walk via the beautiful Avinguda del Tibidabo towards the museum.

If you come by car, you can park at the CosmoCaixa museum’s parking lot, located in front of the museum entrance.