The City of Arts and Sciences - Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències

The City of Arts and Sciences is a complex of attractions housed in strikingly spectacular futuristic buildings. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, it stretches for almost two kilometres along the former riverbed of the Turia.

The buildings are surrounded by gardens and some are reflected in large pools of water, creating a magical effect. It’s the perfect place to spend the day with friends or family and take countless photos.

The complex includes a science museum, a planetarium and 3D digital cinema, an aquarium, concert and exhibition halls and much more. It’s well worth spending a full day here and visiting the buildings from the inside, for which you’ll need to buy tickets. We recommend booking in advance and purchasing the combined ticket for the entire City of Arts and Sciences.  It’s the most convenient option and you save money!

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Why visit the City of Arts and Sciences

✓ Its architecture —different in every building— is impressive from any angle and at any time of day

✓ Music, nature, science, art, technology and above all fun, all in one place

✓ One of the best spots for photos and selfies, with iconic buildings, reflections in the water and the giant “Valencia” letters, incredibly photogenic

✓ You’ll recognise it as it has been a filming location for movies, TV series and adverts

✓ Concerts, festivals and sporting events are often held in the outdoor areas

What to see at the City of Arts and Sciences

Here’s a quick overview of each building so you can choose what interests you most and plan your visit:

✓ Oceanogràfic (aquarium)

With nearly 45,000 specimens from 500 marine species, the Oceanogràfic is the largest aquarium in Europe, and much more besides. It is a fascinating centre dedicated to research and the conservation of marine life. Walk through the underwater tunnel and don’t miss the daily dolphin show. You’ll need to buy a ticket and allow at least three hours for your visit.

🕐 Recommended visit duration: three hours

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✓ Hemisfèric (IMAX cinema and planetarium)

An innovative 3D digital cinema with a huge wraparound screen showing several films each day. The screenings are usually educational and last around 45 minutes. Check what’s on and book tickets for the screening you prefer.

🕐 Visit duration: approximately one hour

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✓ Museu de les Ciències (Science Museum)

A fun, 100% interactive museum with exhibitions and workshops focused on science and technology. You can enter the building freely, but you’ll need a ticket to access the exhibitions and activities. Allow one to two hours for your visit.

🕐 Visit duration: one to two hours

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✓ Palau de les Arts (opera house)

Home to opera performances, symphonic concerts, dance, ballet and other performing arts. To visit the interior of the building and discover its secrets on guided tours, you’ll need to purchase a ticket, but it’s well worth it to enjoy its extraordinary architecture. The season usually runs from mid-September to early July. Check the programme and book well in advance.

🕐 Visit duration: approximately one hour

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✓ Umbracle (open-air garden)

A beautiful garden covering more than 17,000 m² where you can stroll freely among Mediterranean plants and sculptures. On summer nights, it becomes one of the best terraces in the city for a drink under the moonlight.

✓ Àgora (CaixaForum Valencia)

A multifunctional cultural space with a programme of exhibitions, concerts, talks and performances. You can access the interior and its café-restaurant freely, but you’ll need a ticket for exhibitions and special events.

How much time do you need to visit the City of Arts and Sciences?

To make the most of your visit, we recommend spending at least a full day at the City of Arts and Sciences:

✓ At the Oceanogràfic you can easily spend three to four hours enjoying the marine life, or even longer if you add the dolphin show.

✓ At the Hemisfèric, besides watching a screening, you’ll want to explore the surrounding areas, so allow around an hour and a half in total.

✓ To visit the Science Museum, two hours are recommended, although you can spend much longer if you join a workshop.

✓ If you’d like to visit the interior of the Palau de les Arts, you’ll need to set aside at least one hour.

The combined ticket for the three venues is the best option, as it gives you complete flexibility and allows you to enter and exit the buildings as many times as you like on the same day.

Save on your ticket with the Valencia Tourist Card

When you buy the 72-hour pack of the Valencia Tourist Card with admission to the City of Arts and Sciences included, you get a 15% discount compared to buying everything separately, saving up to €11 in total.