The City of Arts and Sciences

The City of Arts and Sciences is an ensemble of five areas in the dry river bed of the now diverted River Turia in Valencia, Spain. Designed by Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava and started in July 1996, it is an impressive example of modern architecture. The "city" is made up of the following, usually known by their Valencian names: El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía — Opera house and performing arts centre; L'Hemisfèric — Imax Cinema, Planetarium and Laserium; L'Umbracle — Walkway / Garden; El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe — Science museum; L'Oceanogràfic — Open-air oceanographic park. Surrounded by attractive streams and pools of water, it and the surrounding areas of the "city" are typically used as a relaxing place to walk day or night, with an open air bar outside El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe during the evening.

Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia

A spectacular building dedicated to promoting the performing arts. Measuring over 70 metres in height, the Palau de les Arts is divided into four separate halls, all boasting the latest technological advances conceived to stage all kinds of opera, musical and theatrical performances.

The Valencia Opera House

L'Hemisfèric

L'Hemisferic is an splendid Laserium, Planetarium and IMAX cinema (over a 900 square meters of screen). It belongs to the City of Arts and Sciences complex. The building was designed by Santiago Calatrava. It has the shape of an eye, and is reflected 24.000 square meters lake.

L' Hemisferic

El Museu de les Ciencies Principe Felipe

The building was designed by Santiago Calatrava and reminds a whale skeleton. It is orientated to learning the sciences through experience, so everything is graphically displayed, with huge texts and pics, experiments, buttons to touch and experience... perfect to go with kids of 7-12 years!

Prince Felipe Museum of Science

L' Oceanografic

L'Oceanogràfic invites us to travel around the planet's main seas and oceans. More than 45,000 examples of 500 different marine species inhabit nine underwater towers that, structured in two levels, represent the most emblematic ecosystems of the planet.

The Oceanografic

If you want a private guided tour to the all complex of the City of Arts and Sciences, please contact with: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

To visit the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum may take an average of 3 hours and the Oceanogràfic approximately 4 hours, depending on your level of interest and motivation. Sessions at the Hemisfèric generally last about 45 - 50 minutes. The visit to the entire complex can be done in a single day, but to enjoy a more relaxed visit we suggest to take two or three days.

The City of Arts and Sciences is open 365 days of the year. The Museum and the Oceanogràfic both open to the public at 10:00 and you can then visit at any time you like. At the entrance building to the Oceanogràfic, next to the information point, we have a left-luggage service where you can leave your luggage or other belongings. It costs 2€ per day and no pre-booking is required. At the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum we have a free cloakroom service but it does not accept luggage or similar items.

Accommodation and Hotels

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Hotels near City of Arts and Sciences