Cities Tourism Guide - Valencia

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia City of Arts and Sciences, Santiago Calatrava Buildings

Cities across Europe are developing leisure and entertainment complexes usually slightly out of the city centre, and inclusive or cutting edge contemporary design by some of the world's best architects. Here in Valencia is one of the best - the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias/City of Arts and Sciences. The architect responsible for the design of the spectacular Hemisferic housing an IMAX cinema and laser show and the Palau de les Artes Reina Sofia is Valencia's own Santiago Calatrava. Calatrava's architectural vision sits well with his other skills in engineering and urbanism. If you've visited Lisbon's Parque Das Nacoes leisure complex and Oriente Station, Tenerife's Santa Cruz Opera House, Murcia's Manrique Pedestrian bridge and Montjuic's communication tower in Barcelona you'll be familiar with Calatrava's work. Chosen as the architect for the new transportation terminal for New York's World Trade Center site, with completion date 2009, Calatrava has stated, "I feel a profound sense of responsibility, rather than any pressure. The memories, the sorrows and the hopes of a great many people are intrinsic to this project. Like everyone else involved in the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, I want to do my utmost to honour these feelings". (see Santiago Calatrava's weblink right for more details on his work and architectural vision which continues to amaze).

There's no doubt that the City of Arts and Sciences has given Valencia a huge boost - tourist visitor numbers to this Spanish city have more than doubled in the last few years. Easily accessible of the motorway and situated south of the city, the Valencia Arts and Sciences complex is popular for day trips up from the Costa Blanca resorts (highly recommended as an excursion) and now as a Valencia city base. Numerous luxury leisure hotels surround the site, and the pretty Parque Jardin Del Turia runs north from the complex towards Valencia city centre and nearest metro Alameda. Regeneration is ongoing around the site, so be aware that you might encounter some roadworks/closed roads in the area. Ample underground parking is available on the site complex.

Valencia City of Arts and Sciences Attrations, Oceanografic Aquarium Valencia

The Hemisferic on the Arts and Sciences complex forms a centrepiece with the Palau, and is home to a planetarium, an IMAX cinema and laser show. For current film and laser shows checkout the City of Arts and Sciences weblink right.

The Palau de les Artes Reina Sofia, opened in 1998, is majestic indeed and an opera, dance and theatre house on a huge scale with four halls, an amphitheatre and chamber theatre. What was once the Turia River bed, is now home to these two majestic pod giants. Truly an amazing site, these two Calatrava designs are more than urban landmarks, they stir the soul. As you enter the park notice to the L'Umbracle, more architectural genius housing a green zone covering 7000 square metres. The Umbrella structure lights up by night to great effect. Indeed if you're staying in Valencia a visit to the City of Arts and Sciences by day and by night are recommended.

The big attraction on-site, a huge draw for families with children, is the Oceanografic Aquarium. The divided zones include Mediterranean, Temperate and Tropical, Arctic, Antarctic, Oceans, Wetlands and the Dolphinarium. Highlights include the 26 metre diameter sphere in the wetlands zone and the 35 metre long underwater tunnel in the Oceans zone where sharks, stingrays and black jack mackerel swim up close and overhead. The reactions of children and adults alike are shear amazement.

Dolphin shows run regularly through the day (check the City of Arts and Sciences weblink right for timetable). Also on-site are restaurants, gift shop and plenty of seated areas. On the Oceanograpfic leaflet you'll receive on entrance there's a useful map of the park, and you'll need it to navigate, there's much to see. Allow several hours at least for visit. The Valencia Sightseeing Tourist Bus (weblink right) stops right outside of the Oceanografic Aquarium for quick tours of Valencia after an Aquarium visit.