Centro Ciência Viva do Lousal (Mina de Ciência)

Lousal is a small village in the Alentejo, inland from the coast near Grândola, that grew up around a mine. From 1900 to 1988 the mine dug out pyrite, the shiny mineral sometimes called fool’s gold. Pyrite was used to make sulphur, and from that sulphuric acid for fertilisers. When prices fell in the 1980s the mine closed and people left. A local project started in 1994 to bring the village back to life, and it now has a mining museum (opened 2001), a Ciência Viva science centre (opened 30 June 2010) and an underground gallery you can walk through (opened 27 July 2015).

Together they make an unusual day out: a real mine, the machines that powered it, and a science centre to explain what you’ve seen.

The highlight is the Galeria Mineira Waldemar, an underground route of about 280 metres through the southern part of the old mine. You go in with a guide, who explains how the mine worked and how the pyrite was dug out. Along the way you see old storerooms, mine shafts, and rock and living specimens from underground. For a child who has only seen mines in cartoons, walking through a real one feels like proper exploring.

There’s also an exhibit in the mine on cosmic muons, tiny particles that arrive from space and are able to pass through solid rock. It’s a surprising thing to learn about deep underground and a good hook for older children interested in physics.

Gallery visits run at 10:30, at weekends in term time and every day in the school holidays, and need at least four visitors. On weekdays in term time (September to June), you need to confirm availability first. A visit takes about an hour and a half to two hours. The centre’s FAQ page gives a different time (15:00, minimum five), so ring or email to confirm before you drive out.

Above ground, the mining museum is in the mine’s old power station. Children who love machines will want to see the engine room, which still has three of the four big internal-combustion engines that powered the mine, and the mine’s huge electrical panel. There’s a compressed-air room, which drove the miners’ drills and machinery. Mining models from the famous Freiberg Mining Academy in Germany (founded 1765) were brought to Portugal by Alfredo Bensaúde, the first director of Lisbon’s engineering school, Instituto Superior Técnico.

Other rooms cover the mine’s geology department, chemical laboratory and health service, and the life of the mining community: schools, medical care and the market. At its biggest the mine went down 16 levels, about 500 metres deep, with some 44 kilometres of underground tunnels. The 280 metres you walk in the gallery is a tiny part of it, which is a good fact for a child to take home.

Guided museum visits run at 11:00 and 15:00.

The science centre itself, called Mina de Ciência (the Science Mine), covers geology, chemistry, physics, biology and engineering through hands-on exhibits. The Experimentarium runs a different set of experiments each month; some need booking, and they cost €2 for young people when checked in September 2026. The centre also runs outdoor activities and science shows, and has temporary exhibitions.

• Ages 4 to 7 enjoy the science centre and the idea of going into a mine, but a two-hour guided gallery walk may be long for them.
• Ages 8 to 12 get the most from the gallery, the engines and the experiments.
• Teenagers can follow the chemistry of pyrite and sulphuric acid, the physics of cosmic muons and the social history of the mining village.
• Toddlers under 3 go free, but this is a place for older children.

Prices are charged per space, so decide what you want to see. When checked in September 2026:

• Science centre: €4.50 for ages 4 to 17, €5.50 for adults, €5 for over-64s, €14 for a family.
• Mining museum: €6.50 for ages 4 to 17, €7.50 for adults, €20 for a family.
• Waldemar gallery: €8 per person, €22 for a family.
• Science centre plus museum: €10 for ages 4 to 17, €12 for adults, €25 for a family.
• Family pack for everything: €40.

Family tickets cover up to two adults with children up to 17. Under-3s go free. Groups of ten or more non-school visitors pay less per person, which suits a home-education group.

Being underground and a long guided walk won’t suit every child. Children who dislike the dark or enclosed spaces should know what to expect, so talk it through before you go, and ask the centre about the route. For a first visit with younger children, the science centre and museum ticket is a good start, adding the gallery for children old enough to enjoy it. The centre is open over lunch, but it doesn’t list a café, so bring food.

Lousal is one of several mining sites in the Alentejo. Compare it with the Parque Mineiro de Aljustrel or the abandoned copper mine at Mina de São Domingos. In the Algarve, the Loulé rock-salt mine takes you 230 metres down by lift. Closer to Lousal, Badoca Safari Park near Santiago do Cacém makes a full weekend.

Can children go inside the Lousal mine?

Yes. The Waldemar gallery is a guided underground route of about 280 metres. Visits need at least four people and should be confirmed in advance.

How long is the mine gallery visit?

About an hour and a half to two hours.

How much does it cost for a family?

A family ticket (up to two adults and children to 17) was €22 for the gallery, €25 for the science centre and museum, and €40 for everything, when checked in September 2026.

Is it open on Mondays?

No. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00.

Is it good for young children?

The science centre suits children from about four. The long guided gallery walk is better for ages eight and up.