CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

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The former bed of the River Turia, whose course was altered due to continual flooding, has given rise to a 9-kilometre garden that runs through the city from west to east with interesting museums on both sides, sports facilities, children’s playgrounds and 18 bridges. If you cross the “Las Flores” Bridge you’ll come across the Pla del Real district, home to several buildings which were built for the Regional Exhibition held in València in 1909. Here you’ll find the City of Arts and Sciences and, located opposite this complex, the revamped Fallas Museum.

 

València is home to one of the most important commercial ports in the Mediterranean. The port, which operates passenger services to both the Balearic Islands and Italy, is fast becoming a popular destination for cruise ships, which dock at Poniente Pier, enabling passengers to spend a few hours exploring the city.  For those travelling by car, València is equipped with a modern motorway network making it easily accessible from any city on the mainland. These include the AP-7, which runs north to south along the Mediterranean coast connecting the city with Barcelona, and the A-3 running from València to Madrid.

What is the City of Arts and Sciences (CAC)

If you come to València a visit to the City of Arts and Sciences is a must. Work of the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, several of its buildings have become icons in the city. It is a scientific and cultural leisure complex which can be enjoyed with family or friends, covering around two kilometres of the former riverbed of the River Turia.

 

You will need tickets to enter the Hemisfèric, the Science Museum and the Oceanogràfic, and you can buy them separately or combined for the buildings that you would most like to visit.

 

Be sure to plan your trip to the City of Arts and Sciences, because there is a lot to see.

 

Oceanogràfic

No trip to València is complete without visiting the Oceanogràfic, Europe’s biggest aquarium. With seven different marine environments, almost 45,000 specimens of 500 different species can be seen, such as dolphins, belugas, walruses, sea lions, seals, penguins and sharks. Don’t miss the exhibition taking place daily in the dolphinarium. Reserve at least half a day for the trip.

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The Hemisfèric

The Hemisfèric is a digital 3D cinema, with a huge 900 metre concave screen, which almost envelops spectators. Several films are screened daily, mainly educational documentaries of no more than 45 minutes which are suitable for all audiences. You will receive a pair of innovative 3D glasses with your ticket enabling you to change the screening language. If you are travelling with children, there is usually a film geared towards children once a day. We recommend that you check the film listings and reserve the screening that you would like to see before starting your visit to other buildings of the City of Arts and Sciences.

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Príncipe Felipe Science Museum

With the philosophy “Not touching is prohibited” you can imagine what kind of museum this is. The Príncipe Felipe Science Museum offers different interactive exhibitions about science and technology. You can visit without entering the ground floor, where there is usually a temporary exhibition, some shops, the bathrooms and a restaurant. You will need a ticket for the remaining exhibitions. The Museum also offers scientific workshops for all visitors for which you will have to buy a separate ticket.

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Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía. Opera house

If you are a music-lover then the Palau de les Arts is the place for you at the City of Arts and Sciences. From October to November, its programme includes operas, concerts, zarzuela and ballet. When not being used for performances, you can visit the building by booking in advance on the website.

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The Umbracle

If you are a music-lover then the Palau de les Arts is the place for you at the City of Arts and Sciences. From October to November, its programme includes operas, concerts, zarzuela and ballet. When not being used for performances, you can visit the building by booking in advance on the website.

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The Ágora

The most recent building at the City of Arts and Sciences, the Ágora is a versatile venue hosting a wide variety of events. It is currently the headquarters of Caixaforum and you can visit different exhibitions.
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