Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences)

- El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, L'Hemisfèric, El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, L'Oceanogràfic, L'Àgora, L'Umbracle, El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or, Torre de Francia, Centro Commercial El Saler

Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), is an entertainment-based cultural and architectural complex that was developed in the late 1990s and 2000s, situated to the East of the city centre. The futuristic buildings are designed by the world famous Valencian architects Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, and are surrounded by pools. It is as important to visit as the historical city centre, and you can easily get here by bus. At City of Arts and Sciences you find a futuristic atmosphere with exciting buildings in imanative shapes, most of them with white facades, blue water pounds, palm trees, bridges and sculptures, surrounded by some of Valencia's tallest highrises, busy roads, shopping malls and department stores. The whole area is centered around 8 structures:

El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, an interactive science museum with impressive architecture that resembles the skeleton of a whale and covers 40,000 m². This is the most massive of the structures and is situated in the center of the science area, 220m long, 80m wide and 55 m high. It opened in 2000 and was designed by Calatrava. It is surrounded by part of the Turia Gardens. Manuel Toharia, a Spanish screen writer and TV personality, is the director of the museum. We visited the museum, part of a combined ticket. In the museum you find interactive experiments, models of rockets and other space structures, two airplanes, an air balloon, gravity experiments, new born chickens, an ant colony, a Marvel exhibtion and massive bright open public areas among many other things. Parts of it were a bit noisy due to large school classes visiting. The museum is so massive that there is a separate page about it.

L'Hemisfèric, a curvy IMAX theatre, was one of the first of the futuristic buildings built on the site (1998). The construction is designed to resemble a giant eye. It is surrounded by a pool, that you pass and then take the escalator down underground, where you enter the Imax theatre, that resembles the iris of the eye. After touring the science area, we watched an IMAX film about butterflies in the evening there.

El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (Queen Sophia Palace of the Arts), a huge opera house and performing arts center that opened in 2005. The building is designed by Santiago Calatrava in an extremely impressive shape. It is the tallest opera house in the world, with 14 floors above ground and 3 below ground. It opened in 2005, is 80m tall and 230m long. It contains four large rooms: Sala Principal (Main Hall) that seats 1470 people, Aula Magisterial (seats 400 people), Amphitheater and Theater of Camera. It is surrounded by landscape, water and walking areas. Panorama elevators, outdoor terraces and outdoor stairways can be found on the exterior. Plácido Domingo, Christopher Ventris have been among the performers. There have been some incidents after the openings; two floods and the collapse of the main stage caused all performances to be cancelled.

L'Àgora, the latest and tallest building (86m), a blue shell shaped building for concerts, exhibitions and sporting events inaugurated in 2009,

L'Umbracle, a 320m long tropical outdoor garden that features over 100 palm tress, rare plants and trees. It is more or less outdoors, only white arches cover it. Outside there are sculptures by famous artists.

El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or, a very cool 125m high suspension bridge that is the tallest structure in the city.

Pont de Montalivet, a curvy bridge towards the residential areas in the North, that you can walk under between the opera and the science museum.

L'Oceanogràfic, Europe's largest oceanographic aquarium, partly an outdoor park, and partly situated in buildings that have shapes of water lilies, designed by Félix Candela. It opened in 2003 and covers a surface of 110 000 m², features 42 million liters of water and 45 000 animals of 500 species. Each building represents different aquatic environments such as the Mediterranean, Wetlands, Temperate and Tropical Seas, Oceans, the Antarctic, the Arctic, Islands and the Red Sea. Over 500 different species, including dolphins, belugas, sawfish, jellyfish, starfish, sea urchins, walruses, seals, penguins, sea lions, turtles, sharks and rays can be found. There is also an avarium with rare wetland birds. We visited the aquarium the last day, before taking the train back to Alicante. It is very extensive and interesting, and it features an underwater tunnel, a small room that is under water and several restaurants. There is a separate page about L'Oceanogràfic.

The buildings in the area are beautifully illuminated at night. Click here to look at City of Arts and Science at night and sunset.

City of Arts and Sciences 001 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, a huge opera house that looks like an eye in an extremely impressive shape, it opened in 2005, is 80m tall and 230m long. City of Arts and Sciences 002 - Avinguda de l'Autopista del Saler, the Opera Reina Sofia to the right. City of Arts and Sciences 003 - Avinguda de l'Autopista del Saler at LÚmbracle City of Arts and Sciences 004 - Avinguda de l'Autopista del Saler, El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or and L'Àgora. City of Arts and Sciences 005 - L'Umbracle and the l'Assut de l'Or bridge City of Arts and Sciences 006 - residential highrise buildings opposite the science area. City of Arts and Sciences 007 - - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house and Torre de Francia City of Arts and Sciences 008 - residential highrise buildings opposite the science area. City of Arts and Sciences 009 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house, built 2005. City of Arts and Sciences 010 - L'Umbracle garden walk. City of Arts and Sciences 011 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (opera) and Torre de Francia. City of Arts and Sciences 012 - this cone next to  L'Hemisfèric is an entrance to a parking garage. City of Arts and Sciences 013 - Torre de Francia, 35 floors, built 2002. Second tallest in Valencia. City of Arts and Sciences 014 - residential highrise buildings opposite the science area. City of Arts and Sciences 015 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 016 City of Arts and Sciences 017 - L'Hemisfèric, a curvy IMAX theatre that was one of the first of the futuristic buildings built on the site (1998). City of Arts and Sciences 018 - L'Hemisfèric, a curvy IMAX theatre that was one of the first of the futuristic buildings built on the site (1998) City of Arts and Sciences 019 - - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 020 - skyline next to the science museum. City of Arts and Sciences 021 - Aqua Multiespacio (95m, 22 floors, b. 2002) and El Corte Ingles in East Valencia, near City of Arts and Sciences. City of Arts and Sciences 022 - details of highrise building City of Arts and Sciences 023 - L'Umbracle, a 320 m long garden walk that is like an entrance. It has over 100 palm trees. City of Arts and Sciences 024 - - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 025 - L´Umbracle and parking garage City of Arts and Sciences 026 - L'Umbracle, a 320 m long garden walk that is like an entrance. It has over 100 palm trees. City of Arts and Sciences 027 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. Built 1998. City of Arts and Sciences 028 -  El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, an interactive science museum with impressive architecture that resembles the skeleton of a whale and covers 40,000 m² City of Arts and Sciences 029 - there are many sculptures in the science area City of Arts and Sciences 030 - L'Umbracle, a 320 m long garden walk that is like an entrance. It has over 100 palm trees. City of Arts and Sciences 031 - L'Umbracle, a 320 m long garden walk that is like an entrance. It has over 100 palm trees. City of Arts and Sciences 032 - L'Umbracle garden walk. City of Arts and Sciences 033 - L'Umbracle garden walk. City of Arts and Sciences 034 - L'Umbracle garden walk. City of Arts and Sciences 035 - L'Umbracle garden walk. City of Arts and Sciences 036 - Príncipe Felipe Science Museum City of Arts and Sciences 037 City of Arts and Sciences 038 City of Arts and Sciences 039 City of Arts and Sciences 040 - tourist train City of Arts and Sciences 041 - El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or, Prince Philip Science Museum and L'Agora. City of Arts and Sciences 042 - L'Hemisfèric and the opera City of Arts and Sciences 043 City of Arts and Sciences 044 - Príncipe Felipe Science Museum City of Arts and Sciences 045 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. Built 1998. City of Arts and Sciences 046 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. Built 1998. City of Arts and Sciences 047 - L'Àgora City of Arts and Sciences 048 - El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or, a very cool 125m high suspension bridge that is the tallest structure in the area. City of Arts and Sciences 049 City of Arts and Sciences 050 City of Arts and Sciences 051 - outside - Príncipe Felipe Science Museum City of Arts and Sciences 052  - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema, seen from the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum. City of Arts and Sciences 053 City of Arts and Sciences 054 - Príncipe Felipe Science Museum City of Arts and Sciences 055 - El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or suspension bridge and L'Agora. City of Arts and Sciences 056 City of Arts and Sciences 057 City of Arts and Sciences 058 - El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or, a very cool 125m high suspension bridge that is the tallest structure in the area. City of Arts and Sciences 059 City of Arts and Sciences 060 - Príncipe Felipe Science Museum City of Arts and Sciences 061 - Príncipe Felipe Science Museum City of Arts and Sciences 062 - El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or, a very cool 125m high suspension bridge that is the tallest structure in the area. City of Arts and Sciences 064 - L'Àgora, the latest and tallest building (86m), a blue shell shaped building for concerts, exhibitions and sporting events inaugurated in 2009. City of Arts and Sciences 065 - L'Àgora, the latest and tallest building (86m), a blue shell shaped building for concerts, exhibitions and sporting events inaugurated in 2009. City of Arts and Sciences 063 - L'Àgora, details. City of Arts and Sciences 066 - El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or, a very cool 125m high suspension bridge that is the tallest structure in the area. City of Arts and Sciences 067 City of Arts and Sciences 068 City of Arts and Sciences 069 - L'Àgora City of Arts and Sciences 070 - L'Agora and the moon! City of Arts and Sciences 071 - L'Àgora City of Arts and Sciences 072 - L'Àgora City of Arts and Sciences 073 - L'Oceanogràfic, Europe's largest oceanographic aquarium, built 2003 in the shape of water lilies City of Arts and Sciences 074 City of Arts and Sciences 075 - L'Oceanogràfic, Europe's largest oceanographic aquarium, built 2003 in the shape of water lilies City of Arts and Sciences 076 - El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or and L'Àgora. City of Arts and Sciences 077 City of Arts and Sciences 078 City of Arts and Sciences 079 L'Àgora - El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or, a very cool 125m high suspension bridge that is the tallest structure in the area. City of Arts and Sciences 080 - El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or, a very cool 125m high suspension bridge that is the tallest structure in the area. City of Arts and Sciences 081 - L'Umbracle garden walk. City of Arts and Sciences 082 - Traffic over Pont de Montalivet. City of Arts and Sciences 083 City of Arts and Sciences 084 - cranes in the port in the far background City of Arts and Sciences 085 City of Arts and Sciences 086 -  L'Umbracle City of Arts and Sciences 087 City of Arts and Sciences 088 - L'Oceanogràfic, Europe's largest oceanographic aquarium, built 2003 in the shape of water lilies. City of Arts and Sciences 089 - El Saler shopping center with 160 stores on 3 floors. Cheaper place to eat then the science area opposite. City of Arts and Sciences 090 - El Saler shopping center with 160 stores on 3 floors. City of Arts and Sciences 091 - El Saler shopping center with 160 stores on 3 floors. City of Arts and Sciences 093 -  El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or suspension bridge. City of Arts and Sciences 094 - El Saler shopping center with 160 stores on 3 floors. City of Arts and Sciences 095 - L'Umbracle garden walk. City of Arts and Sciences 096 - L'Umbracle garden walk. City of Arts and Sciences 097 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 098 - Pont de Montolivet bridge, opera and highrises. City of Arts and Sciences 099- L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 100 City of Arts and Sciences 101 - Montalivet bridge towards Torre de Francia. City of Arts and Sciences 102 - - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 103 - terrace, El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 104- El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 105 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house, Montelivet bridge and Torre de Francia. City of Arts and Sciences 106 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 107 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 108 City of Arts and Sciences 109 - the bridge Pont de Montolivet. City of Arts and Sciences 110 - the bridge Pont de Montolivet and a tourist train. City of Arts and Sciences 111 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 112 City of Arts and Sciences 113 - elevators of  El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 114 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 115 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 116 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 117 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 118 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 119 - a small, old church opposite the futuristic buildings. City of Arts and Sciences 120 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 121 City of Arts and Sciences 122 - Torre de Francia, 35 floors, built 2002. Second tallest in Valencia. City of Arts and Sciences 123 City of Arts and Sciences 124 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 125 City of Arts and Sciences 126 - Torre de Francia, 35 floors, built 2002. Second tallest in Valencia. City of Arts and Sciences 127 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 128 - various buildings City of Arts and Sciences 129 - various buildings City of Arts and Sciences 130 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 131 - El Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, the opera house. City of Arts and Sciences 132 - Underneath the bridge Pont de Montolivet. City of Arts and Sciences 133 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 134 - Jardine de Turia, the former river that goes in a narrow path through Valencia, borders the science area. City of Arts and Sciences 135 - Jardine de Turia, the former river that goes in a narrow path through Valencia. City of Arts and Sciences 136 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 137 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 138 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 139 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 140 City of Arts and Sciences 141 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 142 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 143 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 144 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 145 - L'Hemisfèric, we saw a an IMAX film about butterflies there. City of Arts and Sciences 146 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 147 - L'Hemisfèric, IMAX cinema. City of Arts and Sciences 148 - L'Umbracle garden walk. City of Arts and Sciences 149 - El Pont de l'Assut de l'Or and L'Àgora. City of Arts and Sciences 150 - L'Àgora, the latest and tallest building (86m), a blue shell shaped building for concerts, exhibitions and sporting events inaugurated in 2009. City of Arts and Sciences at sunset - don't miss the special night and sunset section!