City of Arts and Sciences

The City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències) is the modern face of Valencia. It occupies a long stretch at the south-eastern end of the old Turia riverbed and was designed mainly by the Valencian architect Santiago Calatrava, with Félix Candela responsible for the Oceanogràfic. The buildings opened in stages, beginning with L'Hemisfèric in 1998 and finishing with L'Àgora in 2009, and the whole project cost far more than first planned. Whatever you think of the price, it has become the city's most photographed sight.

Each building has its own role. L'Hemisfèric, shaped like an eye whose shutter opens over a pool of water, is an IMAX cinema and planetarium. The Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, whose white ribs recall a whale skeleton, is a large hands-on science museum. L'Umbracle is a landscaped walkway of around 320 metres planted with species native to the Valencia region, with sculptures along the way. The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, opened in 2005, is the city's opera house, and the Oceanogràfic is Europe's largest aquarium complex. The Assut de l'Or bridge, with its 125-metre pylon, crosses the riverbed next to L'Àgora.

You do not need a ticket to enjoy the architecture. Walking around the pools, under the arches of L'Umbracle and along the paths of the Turia garden costs nothing, and the white concrete and blue mosaic look best in the morning light or at dusk when the buildings are lit. Tickets are needed for the science museum, the Hemisfèric and the Oceanogràfic, and combined tickets for several venues are sold through the official website, which is worth checking before you go.

The complex suits almost everyone. Families can easily fill a day with the science museum and the aquarium, architecture fans will want time to walk all the way round, and photographers should come early to avoid crowds. There is little shade in the open spaces, so bring water and a hat in summer. The paths are wide and flat, which makes them easy to manage with pushchairs and wheelchairs.

To get there, walk or cycle along the Turia garden from the old town, which takes around 40 minutes on foot, or use the buses that serve the area. Alameda metro station and the tram stops near the Oceanogràfic are also options. Afterwards, the Turia garden leads back towards the centre, and the beaches of the port area are a short ride away.