City of Arts and Sciences

Valencia, Spain

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

Wheelchair access: Accessible
Phone: +34 96 197 44 00

From OpenStreetMap — confirm before travelling

Find out more

The City of Arts and Sciences is a monumental cultural and architectural complex in Valencia, Spain, designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela. Begun in July 1996 and inaugurated on 16 April 1998 with the opening of L'Hemisfèric, the high-tech complex occupies the southeast end of the former riverbed of the Turia, which had been drained and converted into a sunken park following a catastrophic 1957 flood. The project expanded considerably beyond its original 1991 budget of €300 million for three structures, ultimately tripling in cost as additional buildings were added. Major components include the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, inaugurated on 9 October 2005, and L'Àgora, completed in 2009. The complex has become Valencia's most significant modern tourist destination and ranks among Spain's twelve greatest treasures.