Valencia City of the Arts & Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias)
Avenida del Professor López Piñero 7, Valencia, Spain, 46013
Situated along Valencia’s old Turia riverbed, the visually striking City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y Ciencias) was the work of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. The spectacular architecture is just part of the appeal of this futuristic complex though, which is also home to a science museum, planetarium, and more—all popular with families.
The Basics
Home to the Prince Philip Science Museum, Hemispheric Planetarium (with its own IMAX cinema), Oceanographic Park (Oceanografic), and the Palace of the Arts (Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia), the City of the Arts and Sciences is a Valencia must-visit.
Purchase tickets for each individual attraction within the park, or save on combo tickets to two or more of the buildings. It’s also possible to see the attraction on guided tours of Valencia, which typically include other experiences like rooftop wine tastings, Segway sightseeing tours, or guided bike rides through the city.
Things to Know Before You Go
The City of Arts and Sciences is a must-see for architecture buffs and families.
Choose between a single attraction ticket or a combo ticket with access to the science museum, aquarium, and planetarium.
Don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and water, as much of the complex is outside without much shade.
The City of the Arts and Sciences is accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Valencia City of Arts and Sciences is southeast of central Valencia. Buses run here from the center of town, and the Alameda metro stop is a 15-minute walk from the complex. Guided tours sometimes include transportation.
When to Get There
The City of Arts and Sciences is open throughout the year. To best enjoy the outdoor architecture, plan to visit in the morning or evening to avoid the heat; expect daily highs around 95°F (35°C) during July and August.
Visiting the City of Arts and Sciences
While it’s possible to experience all of the City of Arts and Sciences’ attractions in a single day, it’s best to dedicate at least two days to the attraction if you want to see everything. A typical visit to the science museum takes about three hours, while the aquarium takes four, depending on how many shows you plan to see. Individual sessions at the planetarium last about 45 to 50 minutes.
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