City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia

About the City of Arts and Sciences

The complex sits in the old bed of the Turia river: once the river was diverted around the city, the freed-up strip became a park about 9 km long, with the City of Arts and Sciences at its eastern end. Almost all the buildings were designed by Valencian-born architect Santiago Calatrava, the Oceanogràfic's structures together with engineer Félix Candela.

The Hemisfèric opened first, in 1998, followed by the science museum, the Umbracle garden, the Oceanogràfic in 2003 and the opera house in 2005. The curving white structures of concrete, glass and mosaic recall the skeletons of sea creatures, ships and eyes, and the pools mirror them. It's one of the most photogenic places in Spain.

The buildings

The Hemisfèric looks like a giant eye with a lid opening over the water, housing an IMAX cinema and planetarium. The Príncipe Felipe Science Museum is a long skeleton-like building full of hands-on galleries, a favourite with children. The Umbracle is an open garden walkway above the car park, with palms, sculpture and views over the whole site.

The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía is an opera house shaped like a huge plumed helmet, visited on a performance or a tour. Nearby are the blue-mosaic Àgora and the L'Assut de l'Or bridge with its tall harp-like pylon. At the eastern end is the Oceanogràfic, home to sharks, dolphins, belugas and penguins.

What to see at the City of Arts and Sciences

• The Hemisfèric — an eye-shaped cinema and planetarium.
• The Science Museum — hands-on galleries for all ages.
• The Umbracle — a garden walkway with palms and views.
• The Palau de les Arts — a helmet-shaped opera house.
• The Oceanogràfic — Europe's largest aquarium.
• The pools — reflections in turquoise water.

Best time and photos

The best shots come in the morning, when the pools are still and reflections sharp, and in the evening, when the buildings are lit in blue and white. The best viewpoints are the Montolivet bridge, the steps by the Hemisfèric and the Umbracle walkway, which takes in several buildings at once.

In summer the white concrete reflects the sun fiercely, so midday is hot and bright: bring sunglasses, water and a hat. In warm months you can sometimes paddle transparent kayaks or water balls on the pools; ask on site.

Tips for your visit

Short on time? Walk among the buildings and go inside only the Oceanogràfic, the highlight. With children you could spend a whole day: the science museum's experiments in the morning, the aquarium after lunch and a film at the Hemisfèric in the evening.

There are cafés and restaurants on site, but eating is cheaper in Ruzafa, 15 minutes' walk away. From here it's 15 to 20 minutes by bus or bike to Malvarrosa beach and the port.

The complex is part of the Turia park, so afterwards stroll west towards the old town, past fountains, playgrounds, orange trees and the giant Gulliver playground, where children can climb over a giant.

How to do it right

• Walking around is free.
• A combo ticket saves money.
• Photos morning and evening.
• Sunglasses and water in summer.

Questions