Casa de las Ciencias

Casa de las Ciencias is an interactive science centre in Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, set on the bank of the Ebro River between the Iron Bridge and the Stone Bridge. It's a favourite stop for families with children, but also an easy, worthwhile detour for any visitor looking for something different from the old town and the vineyards.

How do you get there?

The building sits on the river's north bank, directly facing Logroño's historic centre, so it's only a short walk across the bridge from the old town. The surrounding area is laid out as a riverside park, which makes it worth combining the visit with a stroll along the promenade. Drivers will find parking nearby, and the site is well connected to the city centre by local public transport.

What's inside?

The building itself has an unusual backstory: it was raised in 1910 as the city's municipal slaughterhouse, designed by architect Luis Barrón with engineer Gómez Escolar working on the structure. After a thorough conversion, it was given a new purpose, and Casa de las Ciencias opened its doors on 22 April 1999.

The ground floor holds four temporary exhibition halls covering roughly 660 square metres in total. At least a dozen different exhibitions are staged here every year, spanning subjects from astronomy to biology, chemistry and physics — so no two visits look quite the same. Upstairs, a 100-seat conference room hosts lectures, panel discussions and screenings of science documentaries and films.

One of the highlights is the planetarium, which runs shows dedicated to astronomy and the structure of the universe — a must for anyone drawn to stargazing and space. Outside, a science garden lets visitors experiment hands-on with simple physical phenomena in the open air, a feature that tends to be especially popular with younger visitors.

How much does it cost, and when is it open?

Admission to every exhibition is free, and guided tours are free as well. Opening hours shift with the season: from September to the end of June the centre opens Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:00, and on weekends and public holidays from 10:30 to 14:00 and 16:30 to 20:30; in July and August a single summer schedule applies instead, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 to 14:00 and 17:00 to 20:30. It's closed on Mondays, as well as on 25 December, 1 January and 6 January. Groups wishing to book a visit can call ahead on 941 245 943.

When is the best time to visit?

Thanks to the free entry and the ever-changing exhibition programme, Casa de las Ciencias works well at any time of year — it's a popular choice on rainy days, when outdoor sightseeing loses its appeal. Families tend to favour weekends, when the longer opening hours leave enough time to take in the exhibitions, explore the science garden and catch a planetarium show.

Frequently asked questions

Is admission to Casa de las Ciencias free? Yes, entry to all exhibitions and the guided tours are both completely free of charge.

What can visitors see besides the temporary exhibitions? Alongside the four ground-floor exhibition halls, the centre features a planetarium with astronomy shows, an outdoor science garden, and a conference room used for lectures and film screenings.

Is Casa de las Ciencias suitable for children? Yes, it's one of the most popular family destinations in Logroño — the interactive exhibits and the outdoor science garden invite younger visitors to experiment on their own.

What was the building used for before it became a science centre? It was built in 1910 as the city's municipal slaughterhouse, designed by architect Luis Barrón. Following renovation, it reopened as a science centre in 1999.