City of the Arts and Sciences

About this tour

Explore Valencia's striking City of the Arts and Sciences, a 35-hectare complex showcasing architect Santiago Calatrava's bold futuristic designs. This three-hour guided tour takes you through museums, performance spaces and public plazas, including the Prince Philip Science Museum and the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia opera house. You'll walk through areas where world-class theatrical and musical productions happen, gaining insight into both the architectural vision and cultural significance of Spain's most ambitious modern landmark.

Highlights

• Santiago Calatrava's iconic white architectural structures and design principles
• Prince Philip Science Museum with interactive exhibits and displays
• Palau de les Arts opera house performance spaces and backstage areas
• IMAX cinema and public plazas spanning 35 hectares
• Behind-the-scenes access to working cultural venues
• Professional guide explaining the complex's history and vision

What to expect

Your guide will lead you through this sprawling arts complex at a comfortable pace, pointing out how Calatrava's organic, skeletal forms reference local flora and Valencia's maritime heritage. You'll visit the science museum's exhibition halls and walk through the opera house's public areas and performance zones, learning about the productions staged there throughout the year. The tour emphasises both architecture and cultural programming—you're seeing a living hub, not a museum piece. Most walking is outdoors across plazas and between buildings, with some indoor sections.

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