Parque de las Ciencias Granada

Granada's excellent science museum is located two kilometres south of the centre of the city on Avenida del Mediterráneo, opposite the Convention Centre. Probably the most stimulating museum for children in Andalucia, although be warned that large, noisy school groups come in term-time, from Tuesday to Friday.

Covering a massive 70km2 site, divided into two main buildings (complete with solar panels, for both practical and educational purposes), temporary exhibition halls and an outside area, it takes visitors on a journey through our body, our mind and our world - with plenty of extremely useful English explanations.

The newest building, opened in 2008, is the Macroscopio, with areas covering themes such as the human body; the legacy of Al-Andalus' philosophers, engineers and scientists; technology, innovations and art; and Andalucia´s protected natural areas. Interactive exhibits allow you to play with light and sound, get inside a giant kaleidoscope, handle electric circuits and experience the force of air.

The planetarium/Foucault´s Pendulum building takes us into mechanics, physics, chemistry and geology, with plenty more interactive areas, and a children´s hall, for three to seven-year-olds, offering games, toys and gadgets to discover and explore basic scientific principles in a hands-on way - well, they do say that the best way to learn is through play.

Outside, in the 27km2 of green space, you will find a hugely varied offering, with an astronomy garden, observations tower, birds of prey demonstrations, a maze, Alice-in-Wonderland-style oversized puzzles, an exhibition about Andalucia´s natural habitats, and a tropical butterfly house.

There is a shop and a restaurant.

Open from Tues to Sat from 10am to 7pm (to 3 pm on Sundays).

Entry is 6 euros (concessions 5 euros); the planetarium has hourly sessions, depending on the sky conditions, for an additional 2,50 euros (concessions 2 euros).

Tel: 958 131 900