Top City of Arts and Sciences Tours
Hand-picked tours — top pick first, then sorted by price.
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City of the Arts and Sciences
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- In-depth explanations of the architecture and design principles by knowledgeable guides.
- Engagement with interactive exhibits at the Science Museum, appealing to all ages.
“Access to the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, including areas not available to the general public.”
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City of Arts and Sciences Private Segway Tour
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- Segways provide a fun and eco-friendly mode of transport, making the tour enjoyable and engaging.
- The tour often includes lesser-known insights and stories about the buildings and their architects.
“Private tours offer a tailored experience, allowing for interaction with the guide and customization of the route.”
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Valencia Science Museum Skip-the-Line Tickets
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- Access to all permanent and temporary exhibitions across multiple floors.
- Opportunity to interact with hands-on scientific displays and live demonstrations.
“Direct entry without waiting in line, saving valuable time.”
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Oceanogràfic, Science Museum & Hemisfèric: Entry Ticket
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“Enjoy three of Valencia’s top attractions with one ticket”
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- 100% ticket guaranteeReceive tickets on time for the experience you’ve booked.
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Quick Answer
Before visiting the City of the Arts and Sciences in Valencia, plan for ticket prices ranging from EUR 8 to EUR 40 depending on the attraction, with combo tickets available for savings. The complex is about 3 kilometers from the city center and accessible by metro, bus, or a 35-minute walk. Allocate several hours to visit multiple buildings, including the science museum, aquarium, and opera house, as each offers distinct experiences.
Best for
Families, science enthusiasts, and architecture fans interested in interactive exhibits, marine life, and performing arts.
Main advantage
A diverse range of attractions in one location, allowing visitors to combine cultural, scientific, and entertainment activities within a single visit.
Main tradeoff
The complex is large and spread out, which may require significant walking and time to fully appreciate all sites, potentially overwhelming for visitors with limited time.
Good alternative
The Valencia Bioparc, a nearby zoo focusing on naturalistic habitats, offers an engaging outdoor experience with fewer buildings and a more compact layout.
The City of the Arts and Sciences in Valencia is a large cultural and architectural complex that draws over 2 million visitors each year. Opened in phases starting in 1998, it spans about 350,000 square meters along the former Turia riverbed. Ticket prices for individual attractions vary from EUR 8 to EUR 40, with combo tickets available to save money. The complex sits roughly 3 kilometers from Valencia city center, reachable by metro, bus, or a 35-minute walk.
Purchasing a combo ticket for the City of the Arts and Sciences can reduce individual attraction costs by up to 30%, so compare combo options online before buying single-entry tickets on site.
What is the City of the Arts and Sciences in Valencia?
The City of the Arts and Sciences is a modern architectural complex in Valencia dedicated to cultural and scientific exhibitions, combining museums, an opera house, an aquarium, and outdoor spaces.
Designed primarily by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, the complex includes six main buildings: L'Hemisfèric (IMAX cinema and planetarium), Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe (science museum), L'Umbracle (landscaped walk and sculpture garden), L'Oceanogràfic (Europe's largest aquarium), Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (opera house), and Montolivet Bridge. Each building has a specific focus, presenting interactive exhibits, performances, and educational programs.
The complex occupies the former riverbed of the Turia River, which was rerouted after a destructive flood in 1957. Its futuristic structures stand alongside green spaces, making it a notable urban landmark and a destination for visitors interested in science, art, and architecture.
Designed primarily by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, the complex includes six main buildings: L'Hemisfèric (IMAX cinema and planetarium), Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe (science museum), L'Umbracle (landscaped walk and sculpture garden), L'Oceanogràfic (Europe's largest aquarium), Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (opera house), and Montolivet Bridge. Each building has a specific focus, presenting interactive exhibits, performances, and educational programs.
The complex occupies the former riverbed of the Turia River, which was rerouted after a destructive flood in 1957. Its futuristic structures stand alongside green spaces, making it a notable urban landmark and a destination for visitors interested in science, art, and architecture.
Book tickets online at least one week in advance to access timed entry slots for L'Oceanogràfic and avoid long queues, especially during weekends and holidays.
How can I get to the City of the Arts and Sciences in Valencia?
The City of the Arts and Sciences is accessible by metro, bus, bike, or on foot, located about 3 kilometers southeast of Valencia's historic center in the Quatre Carreres neighborhood.
The closest metro stop is Alameda on lines 3 and 5, roughly a 10-minute walk from the complex. Bus lines 35 and 95 also stop nearby. Valencia has an extensive network of bike lanes and public rental bikes (Valenbisi), with stations close to the City.
Walking from Plaza del Ayuntamiento takes 30 to 40 minutes, passing through the Turia Gardens, a green corridor filled with palm trees and the scent of orange blossoms. Taxi fares from the city center typically range between EUR 8 and EUR 12 depending on traffic.
The closest metro stop is Alameda on lines 3 and 5, roughly a 10-minute walk from the complex. Bus lines 35 and 95 also stop nearby. Valencia has an extensive network of bike lanes and public rental bikes (Valenbisi), with stations close to the City.
Walking from Plaza del Ayuntamiento takes 30 to 40 minutes, passing through the Turia Gardens, a green corridor filled with palm trees and the scent of orange blossoms. Taxi fares from the city center typically range between EUR 8 and EUR 12 depending on traffic.
To save time and money, take metro line 3 or 5 to Alameda station and then walk about 10 minutes through Turia Gardens, avoiding bus transfers and taxi fares from the city center.
City of the Arts and Sciences on the map
Hotels and dining around City of the Arts and Sciences, with live ratings.
What are the main attractions inside the City of the Arts and Sciences?
The main attractions include L'Hemisfèric, Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, L'Oceanogràfic, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, and L'Umbracle, each focusing on different cultural and scientific themes.
L'Hemisfèric houses a 900-seat IMAX cinema, a planetarium, and a laserium, showing films and presentations daily. The Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe features over 26,000 square meters of interactive exhibits on technology, biology, and physics, featuring hands-on displays and multimedia installations.
L'Oceanogràfic is Europe's largest aquarium, home to more than 45,000 animals from 500 species, including sharks, dolphins, and penguins swimming in large tanks under glass domes. The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía is a contemporary opera house presenting concerts, operas, and ballets, with acoustics designed by local engineers. L'Umbracle is an open-air garden walkway planted with native Mediterranean plants and dotted with contemporary sculptures, also providing panoramic views across the complex.
L'Hemisfèric houses a 900-seat IMAX cinema, a planetarium, and a laserium, showing films and presentations daily. The Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe features over 26,000 square meters of interactive exhibits on technology, biology, and physics, featuring hands-on displays and multimedia installations.
L'Oceanogràfic is Europe's largest aquarium, home to more than 45,000 animals from 500 species, including sharks, dolphins, and penguins swimming in large tanks under glass domes. The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía is a contemporary opera house presenting concerts, operas, and ballets, with acoustics designed by local engineers. L'Umbracle is an open-air garden walkway planted with native Mediterranean plants and dotted with contemporary sculptures, also providing panoramic views across the complex.
Visit L'Oceanogràfic in late afternoon during spring or autumn when cooler temperatures make the outdoor dolphin and sea lion shows more comfortable and less crowded than in peak summer.
What are the ticket prices and combo options for the City of the Arts and Sciences?
Individual tickets range from EUR 8 to 40, with combo passes available that can lower total costs by up to 20% when visiting several attractions.
For instance, tickets for L'Oceanogràfic cost EUR 40 for adults and EUR 30 for children aged 4 to 12, while Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe charges EUR 8 for adults and EUR 6 for children. Entry to L'Hemisfèric is approximately EUR 8.
Combo tickets such as the "City of Arts and Sciences Pass" grant access to L'Oceanogràfic, Museu de les Ciències, and L'Hemisfèric for about EUR 45 per adult. Tickets are available online in advance to avoid lines, with discounts offered to seniors, students, and groups.
For instance, tickets for L'Oceanogràfic cost EUR 40 for adults and EUR 30 for children aged 4 to 12, while Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe charges EUR 8 for adults and EUR 6 for children. Entry to L'Hemisfèric is approximately EUR 8.
Combo tickets such as the "City of Arts and Sciences Pass" grant access to L'Oceanogràfic, Museu de les Ciències, and L'Hemisfèric for about EUR 45 per adult. Tickets are available online in advance to avoid lines, with discounts offered to seniors, students, and groups.
If you qualify for senior, student, or group discounts, always bring valid ID or proof when purchasing tickets online or at the entrance, as these discounts are not automatically applied.
When is the best time to visit the City of the Arts and Sciences in Valencia?
The optimal time to visit is on weekdays during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild and crowds are smaller.
Summer months (June to August) often see temperatures exceeding 30°C, and the attractions tend to be busy, especially during school holidays. Winter is cooler and quieter, but outdoor areas might feel chilly.
Arriving in the morning helps avoid peak visitor numbers. Note that some venues close on Mondays or have shorter hours, so checking official schedules before your visit is advisable.
Summer months (June to August) often see temperatures exceeding 30°C, and the attractions tend to be busy, especially during school holidays. Winter is cooler and quieter, but outdoor areas might feel chilly.
Arriving in the morning helps avoid peak visitor numbers. Note that some venues close on Mondays or have shorter hours, so checking official schedules before your visit is advisable.
Check if your visit falls on a Monday, as several venues within the City of the Arts and Sciences often close or have reduced hours that day, so plan accordingly to avoid disappointment.
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“If you visit the Oceanografic around sunset, grab a horchata and fartons from the nearby street vendors on Avenida de Francia for a quick, authentic snack before heading inside; it usually costs around 3 euros and locals swear by it.”
Elena Martínez/ Local Tour Operator
What are the opening hours for City of the Arts and Sciences attractions?
Most attractions open daily, typically from 10:00 to 19:00, though hours vary by season and venue.
L'Oceanogràfic usually operates from 10:00 to 18:00 or 19:00, with last admission one hour before closing. Museu de les Ciències generally opens from 10:00 to 18:00. Shows at L'Hemisfèric begin between 11:00 and 19:00.
Schedules at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía change based on performances, often held in the evenings. L'Umbracle remains open 24 hours as an outdoor space. Confirm current hours on official websites, especially during holidays.
L'Oceanogràfic usually operates from 10:00 to 18:00 or 19:00, with last admission one hour before closing. Museu de les Ciències generally opens from 10:00 to 18:00. Shows at L'Hemisfèric begin between 11:00 and 19:00.
Schedules at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía change based on performances, often held in the evenings. L'Umbracle remains open 24 hours as an outdoor space. Confirm current hours on official websites, especially during holidays.
Are there dining options inside the City of the Arts and Sciences complex?
Yes, several cafes and restaurants offer a variety of dining choices ranging from casual snacks to full meals, with prices typically between EUR 10 and EUR 30 per person.
L'Oceanogràfic contains three restaurants, including one specializing in seafood with large windows facing the aquarium tanks, where the sound of water and occasional dolphin clicks can be heard. Museu de les Ciències has a cafeteria serving sandwiches, salads, and beverages. Near L'Umbracle, an outdoor terrace bar is popular for light meals and refreshing drinks.
The nearby neighborhood of Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias features additional dining venues, from traditional tapas bars to international cuisine.
L'Oceanogràfic contains three restaurants, including one specializing in seafood with large windows facing the aquarium tanks, where the sound of water and occasional dolphin clicks can be heard. Museu de les Ciències has a cafeteria serving sandwiches, salads, and beverages. Near L'Umbracle, an outdoor terrace bar is popular for light meals and refreshing drinks.
The nearby neighborhood of Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias features additional dining venues, from traditional tapas bars to international cuisine.
What practical tips should visitors know before visiting the City of the Arts and Sciences?
Plan to spend at least half a day to visit multiple attractions, wear comfortable shoes for walking, and consider purchasing tickets online to avoid queues.
The complex covers a wide area, so expect to walk 2 to 3 kilometers visiting several buildings. Many attractions are wheelchair accessible and provide services for visitors with reduced mobility.
Photography is generally permitted, though flash and tripods may be restricted. Check individual venue rules. Lockers are available at Museu de les Ciències and L'Oceanogràfic for bag storage. For a full day, combine your visit with a walk through the adjacent Turia Gardens, where you can hear birdsong and smell jasmine along the paths.
The complex covers a wide area, so expect to walk 2 to 3 kilometers visiting several buildings. Many attractions are wheelchair accessible and provide services for visitors with reduced mobility.
Photography is generally permitted, though flash and tripods may be restricted. Check individual venue rules. Lockers are available at Museu de les Ciències and L'Oceanogràfic for bag storage. For a full day, combine your visit with a walk through the adjacent Turia Gardens, where you can hear birdsong and smell jasmine along the paths.
Where to stay in and around City of the Arts and Sciences
Live rates from Booking.com, Agoda, Hotels.com and more — nearby stays hand-picked by review score.
INNSiDE by Melia Valencia Oceanic
8.5 · 494 reviewsCiudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
from €166.46
Primus Valencia Hotel
8.5 · 495 reviewsCiudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
from €116.33
Barceló Valencia
8.5 · 366 reviewsCiudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
from €163.45
Inspiracion Valencia
9.2 · 601 reviewsCiudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
from €147.44
Prices and availability shown on partner sites at time of click. We may earn a commission.
What reference resources cover the City of the Arts and Sciences?
What local insights can enhance my visit to the City of the Arts and Sciences in Valencia?
Locals often come to L'Umbracle in the evenings for its open-air setting and occasional live music events, which tend to be quieter than daytime visits.
Many residents pair a visit to the City with a stroll or bike ride through the Turia Gardens, especially on weekends when families gather and street performers play guitars and drums. Early weekday mornings bring a calmer atmosphere, avoiding large tour groups.
Budget-conscious travelers may benefit from the Valencia Tourist Card, which has discounts on entrance fees and public transport. Attending performances at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía can be more affordable when tickets are booked in advance or during off-peak periods.
Many residents pair a visit to the City with a stroll or bike ride through the Turia Gardens, especially on weekends when families gather and street performers play guitars and drums. Early weekday mornings bring a calmer atmosphere, avoiding large tour groups.
Budget-conscious travelers may benefit from the Valencia Tourist Card, which has discounts on entrance fees and public transport. Attending performances at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía can be more affordable when tickets are booked in advance or during off-peak periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it is not strictly necessary to book tickets in advance for the City of the Arts and Sciences, it is highly recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons or weekends. Purchasing tickets online can save time and help you avoid long queues at the ticket counters. Additionally, online booking often provides access to combo deals and discounts, which can be more economical. For instance, the combo ticket for several attractions might be priced around €38 for adults and €29 for children, and buying in advance ensures you secure a spot for the time slots you prefer. Booking online also allows you to plan your visit better by selecting specific entrance times for popular attractions like the Oceanogràfic or the Science Museum.
Yes, there are several discounts available for visiting the City of the Arts and Sciences. Students, seniors, and children often receive reduced ticket prices. For instance, children under the age of 4 usually enter for free, while those between 4 and 12 might get tickets for around €24 for a combo pass. Similarly, seniors over the age of 65 can also enjoy discounted rates. Additionally, purchasing a Valencia Tourist Card may provide further discounts on entry fees and other attractions in the city. It's advisable to check the official website or inquire at the ticket office for the latest discount information before purchasing.
When visiting the City of the Arts and Sciences, dress comfortably and consider the weather. Valencia enjoys a Mediterranean climate, so lightweight clothing and comfortable walking shoes are recommended, especially in summer months when temperatures can soar above 30°C (86°F). Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. During the cooler months, a light jacket or sweater should suffice. Since the complex is vast, expect to do a fair amount of walking, so comfort is key. If you plan to visit the Oceanogràfic, remember that some areas might be cooler due to the aquatic environment.
The City of the Arts and Sciences frequently hosts special events and exhibitions that can enhance your visit. These can range from science workshops and interactive exhibits at the Science Museum to temporary art installations and cultural performances. The Hemisfèric often screens IMAX movies and digital animations on diverse topics. Additionally, the Oceanogràfic sometimes features special exhibitions related to marine life conservation. It's a good idea to check the complex's official website or contact their visitor center in advance to get information on any current or upcoming events during your visit. This can help you plan your itinerary to include these distinctive experiences.
Yes, the City of the Arts and Sciences is designed to be accessible for visitors with disabilities. The complex is equipped with ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms to ensure a comfortable visit for everyone. Wheelchairs are available for rent at the entrance, and all attractions, including the Hemisfèric, the Oceanogràfic, and the Science Museum, have been designed with accessibility in mind. Guide dogs are welcome, and there are special services for the visually and hearing impaired, such as tactile models and audio guides. It's always a good idea to contact the facility in advance if you have specific accessibility needs or require additional assistance during your visit.
Families with children visiting the City of the Arts and Sciences should plan their itinerary to include kid-friendly attractions and allow ample time for exploration. Attractions like the Oceanogràfic offer interactive exhibits that are especially engaging for young visitors. Consider starting your visit early to avoid crowds and maximize your time. Bringing snacks and water is a good idea, although there are dining options available on-site. Make sure to take breaks, as the complex is quite large and can be tiring for little ones. make sure to see the playgrounds and open spaces where kids can run around. Finally, check the schedule for any special activities or workshops for children that might be available during your visit.
The City of the Arts and Sciences is accessible by various modes of transportation. If you're staying in Valencia, public transport options such as buses and metro lines can get you close to the complex. Bus lines 13, 14, 15, 19, 35, 95, and 40 have stops nearby. The closest metro stations are Àngel Guimerà and Xàtiva, but you'll need to transfer to a bus or walk from there. For those driving, there is ample parking available, although it can fill up quickly during peak times. Bike rentals and electric scooters are popular for getting around Valencia and can be a fun way to reach the complex, with bike racks available on-site.
For a day at the City of the Arts and Sciences, it's essential to bring a few key items to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable visit. Pack a bag with essentials like a water bottle, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, as you'll be spending a lot of time outdoors. Comfortable walking shoes are crucial due to the size of the complex. A camera or smartphone will come in handy for capturing the impressive architecture and exhibits. If you're visiting with children, snacks, and perhaps a picnic blanket, might be useful, as there are areas where you can relax and take a break. Remember to bring any necessary tickets or passes and identification if you're eligible for discounts.
