What is the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia?

It's a futuristic cultural complex built in the drained Turia riverbed, designed mainly by Santiago Calatrava. It includes the Oceanogràfic aquarium, the Hemisfèric IMAX and planetarium, the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, the Umbracle garden walkway and the Palau de les Arts opera house.

How long do you need at the City of Arts and Sciences?

Allow at least half a day, or a full day if you want to combine the Oceanogràfic with the Science Museum and an IMAX show. The aquarium alone takes two to three hours. A combined ticket or attractions pass is the best-value way to see several sights.

Is the Oceanogràfic worth visiting?

Yes — it's the largest aquarium in Europe, with tens of thousands of animals across recreated marine habitats, a dolphin show and an underwater restaurant. It's the highlight of the complex and especially popular with families, so book timed-entry tickets ahead in high season.

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Theme day · Valencia itinerary

Valencia City of Arts & Sciences: A Futuristic Day Out

Valencia's City of Arts & Sciences is one of Europe's most striking modern landmarks — a gleaming complex of science museum, IMAX dome and the vast Oceanogràfic aquarium set in the old Turia riverbed. Here's how to spend a full themed day exploring it, with the best-rated tours and tickets to book.

At a glance

1Oceanogràfic — Europe's largest aquarium
2Hemisfèric IMAX & Science Museum
3City of Arts tour by bike or Segway
4Sunset over the Turia Gardens

Morning: dive into the Oceanogràfic

Start at the Oceanogràfic, the largest aquarium in Europe, where recreated underwater worlds run from the Mediterranean to the Arctic, complete with sharks, beluga whales and a walk-through tunnel. Arrive at opening to beat the crowds, and consider a combined attractions pass that bundles the aquarium with the Science Museum and Hemisfèric to save both time and money across the sprawling complex.

Midday: science, cinema and architecture

Cross the reflecting pools to the Hemisfèric, whose eye-shaped shell houses an IMAX and planetarium, then explore the interactive Science Museum where nearly every exhibit invites you to touch, build and experiment. Outside, Santiago Calatrava's soaring white structures are an attraction in themselves — a guided walking or private tour explains the engineering and the story of how a devastating flood reshaped the city into this park.

Afternoon: tour the complex by bike or Segway

See the whole ensemble the way locals do — on two wheels. The City of Arts sits at the end of the Turia Gardens, a nine-kilometre green ribbon that replaced the diverted river. A guided bike or e-bike tour glides from the old town through the gardens to the futuristic domes, while breezy Segway tours offer an easy loop past the main attractions and mirror-like reflecting pools.

Evening: sunset over the Turia

As the light softens, the white shells reflect perfectly in the surrounding pools — the best moment for photos. Stroll or cycle back through the Turia Gardens as families gather and the buildings begin to glow. Round off your themed day with a drink in the nearby Ruzafa neighbourhood, or catch an evening performance at the Palau de les Arts opera house.