City of Arts and Sciences

The City of Arts and Sciences is a large cultural and architectural complex in Valencia, Spain, located on the former Turia riverbed and noted for striking modern architecture mainly by Santiago Calatrava. The site groups science, performing arts, an IMAX/planetarium and large public spaces focused on leisure and learning.

Major attractions include a planetarium and IMAX cinema with an eye-shaped roof, a large interactive science museum, the distinctive opera house and a landscaped walkway and sculpture gardens; a separate large aquarium lies adjacent to the complex. The complex stretches along a landscaped axis and is often visited over several hours because of the scale and number of separate venues.

The complex was built in stages from the late 1990s into the 21st century and has become one of Valencia’s primary modern cultural destinations. Its buildings are used for exhibitions, performances, educational programmes and tourism.

Physically it occupies part of the former Turia riverbed to the southeast of Valencia’s historic centre, within easy reach of the city by foot, public transport or bicycle.

• Layout: The complex stretches along the former Turia riverbed in Valencia and is most easily explored on foot; expect several kilometres if you plan to visit multiple buildings and the aquarium in one day.
• Tickets: Many attractions sell timed-entry tickets and combined passes; buying tickets in advance reduces queueing, especially for the aquarium and science museum at peak season.

What to See #

• L'Hemisfèric: An IMAX-format planetarium and cinema with an iconic eye-shaped roof that provides panoramic reflections on the surrounding pools.
• Museu de les Ciències: A large interactive science museum featuring a skeletal structural form and long exhibition halls that focus on technology and human-scale displays.
• Palau de les Arts: A major performing arts centre and opera house with curved, sculptural forms and several auditoria for opera and concerts.
• L'Umbracle: A landscaped, open-air walkway and sculpture garden that frames views of the complex and provides shaded paths and viewing platforms.
• L'Oceanogràfic: A large marine park and aquarium located adjacent to the Calatrava complex, noted for its extensive species displays and marine habitats.