CosmoCaixa Barcelona

A living patch of Amazon rainforest, complete with fish, reptiles and tropical downpours, sits underground at CosmoCaixa, the science museum of the "la Caixa" Foundation. This Flooded Forest is the museum's signature exhibit and one of the reasons it draws more than two and a half million visitors a year.

The museum occupies an early twentieth-century building on the lower slopes of Tibidabo, extended with large underground halls when it was rebuilt and reopened in 2004. Visitors descend a long spiral ramp into the main exhibition space, the Room of Matter, which traces the history of the universe and life on Earth through hands-on displays and real specimens. Another highlight is the Geological Wall, a series of huge rock sections showing how different formations look up close. A planetarium completes the main attractions.

CosmoCaixa received the European Museum of the Year Award in 2006. With its interactive approach it suits families and curious adults alike, and a thorough visit easily fills several hours.