Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
The City of Arts and Sciences is Valencia's landmark and one of the most spectacular architectural ensembles in Europe. Designed by the Valencian star architect Santiago Calatrava (and Félix Candela for the Oceanogràfic), the complex stretches over 2 km in the dried-up riverbed of the Turia — a futuristic total work of art made of white concrete and water, looking like something out of a science fiction movie.
The complex consists of five main buildings, which can be visited individually or with a combination ticket. Plan at least a half day, a whole day for everything.
💡 Tipp
Combo tickets (Oceanogràfic + Hemisfèric + Museo de las Ciencias) cost €38.70 (adults) and save about €15 compared to individual tickets. Buying online is cheaper and avoids queues. The buildings are spectacularly lit in the evenings — an evening walk is worthwhile even without entry.
L'Oceanogràfic★★★
★★★ L'Oceanogràfic
The largest aquarium in Europe (110,000 m², 42 million liters of water) is the heart of the complex and alone worth a visit to Valencia. In buildings shaped like giant water lily leaves (Félix Candela), over 45,000 animals from 500 species live in replicas of the world's major ecosystems.
Highlights: the underwater tunnel through the shark tank (70 m long), the dolphinarium (the shows are controversial, but the facility itself is impressive), the beluga whales, the penguin colony, and the Red Sea aquarium with living corals. In the Restaurant Submarino, you dine surrounded by 10,000 fish — kitschy, but unforgettable (menu from 35€, reservation required!).
Admission: 37.40€ (adults), 28€ (children 4–12), free under 4. Daily 10 AM–6 PM (winter) / 10 AM–9 PM (summer). Plan at least 3 hours.
Hemisfèric & Museo de las Ciencias
★★ L'Hemisfèric
The most striking building of the complex — a giant eye reflecting in the water basin. Inside: an IMAX cinema, planetarium, and laserium with a 900 m² concave screen. The documentaries (mostly nature and space) are impressive, especially for families.
8.80€. Screenings every 45–60 minutes.
★★ Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe
An interactive science museum in a building shaped like a whale's skeleton (250 m long). Three floors with hands-on exhibitions on physics, biology, technology, and space. Particularly good for children and teenagers — but adults can easily spend 2 hours here.
8.80€ (adults), 6.80€ (children). Daily 10 AM–7 PM (until 9 PM in summer).
★ Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía
Valencia's opera and concert hall — a 75 m high helmet-shaped building that looks like an alien spaceship. Inside, four halls for opera, concerts, and ballet. Ticket prices: from 25€ for ballet performances, from 40€ for operas. Tours of the building: 12€.
Umbracle
An open sculpture garden with 55 palm arches, contemporary sculptures, and panoramic views over the entire complex. Free access. At night, the Umbracle transforms into an open-air nightclub (Mya Club) in summer.