Valencia Oceanogràfic & City of Arts and Sciences: Tickets, Combos & Visitor Guide
Europe's largest aquarium, an IMAX cinema shaped like a giant eye, and an interactive science museum — all inside Santiago Calatrava's most spectacular architectural complex.
At a Glance
The City of Arts and Sciences is Valencia's most visited attraction — a futuristic complex by Santiago Calatrava containing Europe's largest aquarium (Oceanogràfic, 500+ species), the Hemisfèric IMAX cinema, and the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum. Combo ticket valid for 1-3 days. Rated 4.4/5 · 1,600+ reviews. Book early in peak season. Plan a full day minimum — most visitors don't finish everything.
City of Arts and Sciences — Complete Visitor Guide
Table of Contents
The City of Arts and Sciences: Architecture & Overview
The Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències is Valencia's defining landmark of the 21st century — a 350,000 square meter complex built along the old Turia riverbed that was drained and repurposed as a park and cultural zone after the catastrophic 1957 flood. The complex was designed by Valencia-born architect Santiago Calatrava, with the Oceanogràfic added by Mexican engineer Félix Candela.
The architecture alone justifies the visit. The Hemisfèric — a giant white eye shape reflected in a shallow pool — and the Science Museum's skeletal white ribs are among the most photographed contemporary buildings in Spain. Standing at the eastern end of the Turia Gardens, the complex is also accessible by bike from the city centre in 20 minutes — making the Top 25 Bike Tour a natural complement to a City of Arts and Sciences day.
The Complex at a Glance
- Oceanogràfic (Félix Candela, 2003) — Europe's largest aquarium, 500+ species
- Hemisfèric (Calatrava, 1998) — IMAX dome cinema, first building to open in the complex
- Museu de les Ciències Príncep Felip (Calatrava, 2000) — interactive science museum
- Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (Calatrava, 2005) — opera house and performance venue
- L'Umbracle (Calatrava) — covered walkway and sculpture garden, free access
- L'Àgora (Calatrava, 2009) — events and exhibition space
Oceanogràfic — Europe's Largest Aquarium
The Oceanogràfic is not just the largest aquarium in Europe — it is a full-day destination on its own. Designed by Félix Candela in the shape of a water lily floating on a lake, the complex covers 110,000 square meters and houses over 500 species and 45,000 individual animals across nine themed ecosystems.
The Nine Marine Ecosystems
Highlights & Practical Notes
- Underwater restaurant: Dining inside the shark tunnel — requires separate reservation and is a genuinely remarkable experience
- Dolphin show: Daily, check times on arrival — very popular with families, arrive early for good seats
- Sea lion show: Daily, separate pool area
- Time required: Minimum 3 hours, most visitors spend 4-5 hours
- Outdoor areas: Bring sun protection in summer — the flamingo and pelican zones are fully exposed
Best Value — All Three Attractions
Valencia Oceanogràfic, Hemisfèric & Science Museum Combo Ticket
Skip the queues at all three main City of Arts and Sciences attractions with one combo ticket — Europe's largest aquarium (500+ species), the Hemisfèric IMAX dome cinema, and the Príncipe Felipe Science Museum. Valid for 1-3 days so you can spread the visit. Rated 4.4/5 from 1,600+ verified reviews.
Book Combo Ticket on GetYourGuide →Hemisfèric — IMAX Dome Cinema
The Hemisfèric was the first building to open in the City of Arts and Sciences complex (1998) and remains one of Calatrava's most recognizable works: a giant white eye-shaped structure reflected in a shallow pool, with an ovoid roof over 100 meters long. Inside, a state-of-the-art 3D dome projection system shows films ranging from nature documentaries to children's features.
- Film selection: Varies by date — check the official Hemisfèric schedule before booking your time slot
- Languages: Films available in Valencian, Catalan, Spanish, English, French, German (not all films in all languages)
- Duration: ~45 minutes per film
- Important: You must select a specific time slot when booking — the Hemisfèric runs on fixed show times and you cannot enter outside your slot
- Children under 4: Free but must sit on an adult's lap
- Arrive early: Be at the Hemisfèric 20 minutes before your film — late arrivals may not be admitted
Príncipe Felipe Science Museum
The Príncipe Felipe Science Museum (Museu de les Ciències) occupies a spectacular Calatrava building — a skeleton of white arches and steel that visitors often describe as looking like the ribcage of a giant dinosaur. The 26,000 square meters of exhibition space is explicitly designed to be touched, activated, and played with: the official description is "forbidden not to touch."
The permanent exhibitions cover physics, biology, technology, and space science through large-scale interactive installations. The live electricity demonstration — where a slightly eccentric inventor makes hair stand on end in front of a 50-person auditorium — is consistently mentioned in reviews as a highlight.
- Best for: Families with children aged 6-16, science and technology enthusiasts
- Adults without children: Reviews note the science museum skews younger — budget 1-2 hours rather than half a day
- Electricity demonstration: Check the schedule on arrival — usually runs multiple times per day
- Temporary exhibitions: Rotating — check current program before visiting
Science Museum — Solo Entry
Valencia Príncipe Felipe Science Museum Entry Ticket
26,000m² of hands-on interactive science in Calatrava's spectacular skeletal building. Physics, biology, space, and technology exhibits designed to be touched — plus the live electricity demonstration that literally makes hair stand on end. Best for families and curious minds of all ages.
Book Science Museum on GetYourGuide →Combo Tickets — Which Option to Choose
The City of Arts and Sciences offers several ticket combinations. The key question is: how much time do you have and what are your priorities?
| Ticket | What's Included | Time Needed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Combo | Oceanogràfic + Hemisfèric + Science Museum | 2 full days recommended | Families · full visit · best value |
| Oceanogràfic + Hemisfèric | Aquarium + IMAX film | 1 full day | Adults · couples · film + aquarium focus |
| Oceanogràfic + Science Museum | Aquarium + Science Museum | 1 full day | Families with children · no film preference |
| Science Museum only | Science Museum entry | 2-3 hours | Short visit · budget option · kids |
More Valencia Attractions
Museum of Illusions — For Something Completely Different
If the City of Arts and Sciences is Valencia's architectural future, the Museum of Illusions is its most interactive indoor surprise. Located in the city centre with over 60 optical illusion exhibits and immersive rooms, it is the ideal rainy-day or complementary activity — particularly for families, couples, and anyone who enjoys a good photo. Staff are consistently praised for helping visitors pose for the most mind-bending shots.
Alternative Indoor Experience
Valencia Museum of Illusions — Admission Ticket
60+ interactive optical illusion exhibits in the city centre — immersive rooms, visual challenges, and staff dedicated to helping you take the most impossible-looking photos. Central location, pet-friendly, all ages. A great complement to the City of Arts and Sciences or a rainy-day alternative.
Book Museum of Illusions →Practical Tips for Visiting
Getting There
- Metro: Line 5 or 7 to Facultats or Marítim-Serrería stations (~20 min from city centre)
- Bus: Lines 19 and 95 from the city centre
- Bike: The Turia Gardens bike path connects directly to the complex — one of the best ways to arrive. See the Top 25 Bike Tour for a guided version of this route
- Taxi/rideshare: Direct drop-off available — approximately €8-10 from the Old Town
Best Time to Visit
- Peak season (July-August): Arrive at opening (10am) to beat the heat and the crowds at the Oceanogràfic
- Shoulder season (May-June, September-October): Ideal — comfortable temperatures, shorter queues
- Weekdays vs weekends: Weekdays are significantly less crowded, especially at the Hemisfèric
- School holidays: Check the Valencian school calendar — Spanish families visit in large numbers during local holidays
The Valencia Tourist Card — Is It Worth It?
The Tourist Card provides a 20% discount on City of Arts and Sciences attractions plus unlimited public transport on metro, bus, and tram. If you are spending 2+ days in Valencia and using public transport to get to the complex, the 48h or 72h card typically pays for itself. Available in 24h, 48h, and 72h versions.
Save on Transport + Attractions
Valencia Tourist Card — 24, 48 or 72 Hours
Unlimited public transport (metro, bus, tram) plus 20% discount on City of Arts and Sciences attractions and free or discounted entry to Valencia's top museums. Available in 24h, 48h, or 72h — the 48h or 72h versions offer the best value for multi-day visits that include the Oceanogràfic complex.
Book Valencia Tourist Card →Also Worth Visiting: The Silk Museum
Valencia's Museo de la Seda (Silk Museum) tells the story of the city's golden age as Europe's most important silk trading centre — the same history that built La Lonja de la Seda. Located in the historic Old Town, the museum occupies a 15th-century building and documents the entire silk production process from cultivation to weaving. A compact but genuinely informative visit that pairs naturally with a walking tour of the Old Town.
Historic Old Town · 15th Century
Valencia Silk Museum Entry Ticket
Entry to Valencia's Museo de la Seda — the story of the city's golden age as Europe's silk capital, told through a beautifully preserved 15th-century building in the historic Old Town. A compact, informative complement to a walking tour of the Cathedral and La Lonja.
Book Silk Museum Ticket →Book Valencia Attraction Tickets
★★★★★ Skip the line · Verified reviews · Free cancellation on most tickets
Valencia's Most Spectacular Day Out
Beluga whales, a 7-million-litre shark tank, an IMAX cinema shaped like an eye, and 26,000 square meters of science you can touch — all inside one of the world's most extraordinary architectural complexes.
★★★★★ 4.4 rating · 1,600+ reviews · Skip the line · Valid 1-3 days
Book Combo Ticket & Skip the Line →