# Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

> The City of Arts and Sciences lies in the former bed of the River Turia, which was diverted after the devastating flood of 1957.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/ciudad-de-las-artes-y-las-ciencias/

A cluster of white futuristic buildings by Santiago Calatrava set among pools in the old Turia riverbed. Walk the grounds for the architecture; it looks best at sunset, and the science museum and aquarium suit families.

The City of Arts and Sciences lies in the former bed of the River Turia, which was diverted after the devastating flood of 1957. Most of the buildings are by Santiago Calatrava and were completed in stages: the Hemisfèric in 1998, an eye-shaped IMAX cinema and planetarium; the science museum in 2000, which recalls a whale skeleton; the Umbracle in 2001, a garden walkway planted with native species; and the opera house in 2005, with its gleaming metallic shell.

The oceanarium L'Oceanogràfic, opened in 2003, was designed by Félix Candela and is among the largest aquariums in Europe. Pools reflect the white buildings, and many surfaces are covered in broken-tile mosaic (“trencadís”). The architecture is best enjoyed on a stroll through the riverbed; the museum and aquarium also suit families. Allow half a day or more for the grounds and a visit indoors.

- **Nearest town:** Valencia, Spain
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 39.4540, -0.3500

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually March–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, August and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

**Getting there:**

- **Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels.** Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.

## Sources

- [City of Arts and Sciences (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_of_Arts_and_Sciences)
- [L'Oceanogràfic (Wikipedia)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Oceanogr%C3%A0fic)

## Nearby

- [Albufera lagoon](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b3-albufera/) – 13 km
- [Sagunto Castle](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b13-sagunto-castle/) – 26 km
- [Guadalest](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b3-guadalest/) – 87 km
- [Cap de la Nau](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b3-cap-de-la-nau/) – 95 km

## FAQs

### Where is Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias?

Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias is in Valencia, Spain, at GPS 39.4540, -0.3500. It is about 8 km from El Saler.

### Can you camp near Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Coll Vert, about 7 km away; within 25 km there are 21 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias?

Places worth a stop nearby: Albufera lagoon (13 km), Sagunto Castle (26 km), Guadalest (87 km) and Cap de la Nau (95 km).

### When is the best time to visit Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias?

The most pleasant months are usually March–May and September–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, August and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)