Let's continue our tour of Valencia. After having recently spoken to you about the bioparc of Valence as well as the famous aquarium of Valence, the Océanografic, I speak to you today of an essential place of Valence which it will be necessary, at all costs, to visit: The city of arts and Sciences of Valencia. A unique place that extends for more than 2 kilometers inside the Turia Park (the old riverbed) that aims to democratize art and science. An ultra-modern and design city, one of the largest complexes in Europe known throughout the world for its unique architecture.
We will discover, in this article, how to visit the city of arts and sciences of Valencia, what to see and what to visit in this city.
Summary:
- Presentation of the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia
- The Oceanographic
- The Prince Filipe Science Museum
- The Reina Sofia Palace of the Arts
- The hemisphere
- L’Umbracle
- The Golden Assut Bridge
- The Agora
- My opinion on the visit to the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
This city-pass allows you to visit Valencia taking advantage of freebies and discounts. An ideal option for your stay in this city. Buy your city pass
Presentation of the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia
The City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia is a complex that extends over more than 350 m000. The city includes various buildings, parks, bodies of water and a bridge. It is located at the southern end of the Turia gardens, the old bed of the river. Inaugurated in 2 with the opening of one of the city's flagship buildings: the Hémisferic, the city has since grown with the appearance of other buildings, as in 1998 with the opening of the Reina Sofía Palace of the Arts. .
This complex, renowned and famous thanks to its futuristic design, was designed by two architects: Félix Candela and Santiago Calatrava.
In all, more than 11 years of construction were necessary to create the city of arts and sciences of Valence with the inauguration, in 2009, of the Agora.
In addition to the various buildings that follow, the city offers many activities around its water basins. Indeed it is possible to try padel on the water or to walk on the water inside a large plastic ball. Walking around the city and enjoying the cafes is also something that I highly recommend.
The Oceanographic
The Oceanografic is one of the most important places in the city of arts and sciences in Valencia. This aquarium, inaugurated in 2002, is the largest in Europe with more than 42 million liters of water used for nearly 45 fish and marine mammals of 000 different species. The Oceanografic is divided into several areas, each of them corresponding to a region of the world.
You can see rare species such as the Beluga, sharks or even penguins. If you are interested in visiting the Océanografic, I invite you to read our dedicated article.
The Prince Filipe Science Museum
Built by Santiago Calatrava and opened in 2002, the Principe Felipe Science Museum is a natural science museum that covers more than 42 m². These impressive dimensions of 000 m long, 220 wide and 80 high in the background one of the largest museums in Spain. The museum has, just like the other buildings of the complex, a futuristic design that is quite surprising and impressive.
Inside the museum you will find a part reserved for natural sciences, the history of our universe and our planet but also for new technologies. The museum wants to be interactive with a lot of little experiments to do yourself.
Ticket for the Principe Felipe Science Museum
The Reina Sofia Palace of the Arts
Like the Science Museum, the Reina Sofía Palace of the Arts was designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava in 2004 and then inaugurated a year later. The Palace of Arts has an incredibly futuristic architecture. This impressive 400 m² building is home to the Valence Opera. Inside the enclosure, 000 rooms with a capacity ranging from 4 seats for the smallest to more than 400 for the largest. The latter is one of the largest opera houses in the world.
The hemisphere
First construction of the city of arts and sciences the hemisferic opened its doors in 1998. Always imagined by the architect of Valence, Santiago Calatrava, the hemisferic is an Imax type cinema. In the shape of a sphere, the hemisphere has a 900 m² screen that projects 3D films. The films offered are related to nature, astronomy or even the history of planet Earth.
Performances are scheduled every hour. The number of places is limited to 300, the capacity of the room. It is possible to book a ticket in advance directly online.
Ticket for a screening at the Hémisféric
Opt for a combined ticket
It is possible to buy combined tickets including entry to the science museum and a ticket for the hemisferic. You will benefit from a discount. Buy a combined ticket
L’Umbracle
L'Umbracle is a park located near the city of arts and sciences in Valencia. It is recognizable from afar thanks to the many white arches overhanging it. It is located high above the large pool of water located between the science museum and the hemisferic.
The Assut de l'Or bridge
The Assut de l'Or Bridge is a bridge that spans the ancient Turia River and is located in the middle of the City of Arts and Sciences. It is located between the science museum and the Agora. This bridge, like the other buildings, respects the resolutely modern style of the city. With its harp shape, it is the tallest building in the city with 123 meters in height.
The Agora
The Agora is the last building built in the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia. Currently under construction, the Agora serves as a venue for various events. It hosts, for example, each year, the Valencia tennis open. It is located between the science museum and the Océanografic.
My opinion on the visit to the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia
A visit to the city of arts and sciences of Valence is, of course, a must for a stay in Valence. True monument of the city, the city, by its futuristic design, is famous all over the world. I particularly enjoyed this visit, strolling in the middle of its water basins and its buildings, each more futuristic than the next.
Other than the unusual architecture of this place, the things to do there are of high quality. Whether on the side of the science museum or the Oceanografic. These two places are essential for me. The hemisferic, meanwhile, can eventually disappoint. I was expecting something a little more futuristic. However, the price of the session seems reasonable to me, I still recommend attending a session, especially if you are accompanied by children.
Like many, I often travel with a travel guide. If you are looking for a guide for your visit to Valence, let me recommend the "Cartoville" guide from Gallimard. These guides are perfect for directing you during a city trip.Organized in neighborhoods with numerous maps, the “Cartoville” guides really stand out from their competitors by their practical and intuitive aspect. You will discover the essentials of each district, the places to eat, where to go out, etc. Buy this guide on Valencia
