# City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia > The City of Arts and Sciences is modern Valencia's emblem: Santiago Calatrava's futuristic white buildings above turquoise pools in the old bed of the Turia river. It holds a science museum, an eye-shaped cinema and planetarium, an opera house, a garden gallery and the Oceanogràfic, Europe's largest aquarium. Walking among the buildings is free; allow half a day to a full day. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/city-of-arts-and-sciences - City: [Valencia](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia), Spain - YesGo score: 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 4 h - Entry: Grounds free, venues paid - Opening hours: Grounds always open; buildings by day - With kids: Fine with kids - Grounds: Free, 24 hours - Buildings: Museum, Hemisfèric, Oceanogràfic — ticketed - Combo: A combined ticket saves money - Highlights: The architecture, pools, museum and aquarium - Time needed: Half a day to a full day - Location: Turia Gardens, south-east of the centre - Coordinates: 39.45453, -0.35036 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **1998** — the first building, the Hemisfèric, opened (source: English Wikipedia) - **Calatrava** — the complex's architect (source: English Wikipedia) - **2003** — the Oceanogràfic opened (source: English Wikipedia) - **The Turia** — the complex stands in the former riverbed (source: English Wikipedia) ## 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. > **Buying tickets** Walking around the buildings is free at any time. To go inside, a combined ticket for the museum, Hemisfèric and Oceanogràfic saves money. Tickets are sold on the official site and at the desks; book the Oceanogràfic ahead at weekends. ## 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. ## How to get there 1. Walk through the **Turia Gardens** from the centre, 30 to 40 minutes through the park. 2. City buses stop by the museum and the Oceanogràfic. 3. Metro to **Alameda**, then a 20-minute walk along the park. 4. By bike along the Turia cycle paths, the nicest way. ## 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. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Buy a combined ticket - [ ] Photograph the reflections in the morning - [ ] Visit the Oceanogràfic - [ ] Walk along the Umbracle - [ ] Come back for the evening lights ## Places in Valencia: compare and choose Places in Valencia rated by YesGo. - [City of Arts and Sciences](https://yesgo.io/spain/valencia/city-of-arts-and-sciences) — YesGo score 37/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Grounds free, venues paid ## Don't mix it up The City of Arts and Sciences is the whole complex; the Oceanogràfic is just its aquarium, with a ticket of its own. ## Tips - Walking around is free. - A combo ticket saves money. - Photos morning and evening. - Sunglasses and water in summer. ## Questions ### Is the City of Arts and Sciences free? Walking among the buildings is free; the museum, Hemisfèric and Oceanogràfic are ticketed. ### What is there to see? The Hemisfèric, the Science Museum, the Umbracle, the Palau de les Arts and the Oceanogràfic. ### How long do you need? Half a day for a walk and the aquarium, a full day for every building. ### Who designed it? Santiago Calatrava; the Oceanogràfic with Félix Candela. ### How do I get there from the centre? On foot or by bike through the Turia Gardens in 30 to 40 minutes, or by bus. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Hours and prices weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: City of Arts and Sciences - Official site, cac.es --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.