Things to do in Mediterranean, Mediterranean: The Best Science Museums

CosmoCaixa offers its visitors a whole host of activities and permanent and temporary exhibitions to give anyone who is interested a greater insight into the world of science. The museum’s most distinctive attractions include the new permanent exhibition “The Universe Gallery” where visitors can learn about the cosmos and its evolution from the big bang to the present day. An interactive experience beginning with the creation of the cosmos and going on to explore the evolution of the species and the innermost workings of the human brain. The "Flooded Forest” recreates the ecosystem of the Amazon inside a glass house covering an area of 1,000 m2, which is home to piranhas, crocodiles and other animal and plant species typical of the area, and the “Geological Wall” consists of seven vast sections of genuine rock that allow us to interpret the world’s geology.

The Museum Herakleidon was founded in 2004 by Mr and Mrs Firos and extends to two buildings in the historic district of Thissio, next to the Acropolis, the Ancient Agora and the Temple of Hephaestus. The first building is located at 16 Herakleidon str. and the second one 150 meters further, at 37 Ap. Pavlou str., one of the busiest pedestrian streets of Athens. During the first decade of its operation, the museum focused on artistic activities and organized exhibitions with artworks of great artists such as M.C. Escher, Victor Vasarely, Carol Wax, Constantine Xenakis, Adolf Luther, Francesco Scavullo, Toulouse-Lautrec, Edgar Degas, Edvard Munch, Sol LeWitt and others. At the same time, a plethora of cultural activities allowed visitors to explore the essence of each artist's perspective. Today the Museum Herakleidon has evolved to an interactive center of science popularization and to a technological museum that focuses on antiquity, with emphasis on the achievements of the ancient

The exhibition is one of its kind in the world, with a collection of 50 previously unseen machines, which are finally allowed to touch and try and certified reproductions of the 23 most famous paintings of the Tuscan Genius. From The Last Supper to Mona Lisa, the recognised masterpieces have been reproduced full scale according to the typical procedures of the Renaissance workshops and using the same materials (of 500 years ago!) Leonardo used. The visit includes an Audio guide too.

Now in Barcelona, Human Bodies is an intimate educational journey through the world concealed by your skin. This eye-opening experience reveals the operation of the human body—the most sophisticated machine ever made—like you’ve never seen it before. Hundreds of thousands of people of all ages across the world have already visited Human Bodies. Now you can join them, enjoying this inspiring exhibition that will change the way you see yourself, your life and the importance of looking after your body. At the Arenas Shopping Centre (third floor) in Barcelona for a limited time only. OVER 12 BODIES AND 150 HUMAN ORGANS – ALL REAL

El Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona (Museo de Ciencias Naturales de Barcelona) está situado en el parque del Fórum. Fue construido por los arquitectos Herzog & de Meuron en el año 2004. Cerca del mar y del río Besòs, se ha convertido desde marzo de 2011 en un equipamiento abierto y dinámico, representativo y útil en el contexto de la problemática medioambiental actual. Ocupa 9.000 metros cuadrados distribuidos en dos plantas, con instalaciones y servicios modernos para todos los públicos que se estructuran en torno a un inmenso vestíbulo de libre acceso que es el punto de partida y llegada de todos los programas y servicios del Museo: la exposición permanente «Planeta Vida», los espacios para exposiciones temporales, la Mediateca, el Nido de ciencia para niños de 0-6 años, las aulas, la sala de actos, los talleres y la tienda.