At the bottom of the Turia Gardens, the City of Arts and Sciences is a collection of forward-looking buildings grouped around water features. Home to an opera house, aquarium, cinema, and more, the area attracts visitors from all over the world. One highlight is the Hemisfèric IMAX Cinema, designed by Santiago Calatrava to represent an “eye of wisdom” overlooking a still pool. The cinema is housed in the “eyeball," an opaque white sphere when viewed from the outside, but a movie theater on the inside.
The cinema has a regular program of shows created to fit the IMAX format, such as films exploring the night sky, the underwater world, or other nature subjects. After a movie, you can explore the rest of the complex at your own pace.
The City of Arts and Sciences is located in the Turia Gardens park that runs through the center of Valencia. It’s easy to walk here, or to see it as part of a guided bike or Segway tour of the city. Local buses 19, 35, and 95 stop at the complex.
Valencia has a pleasant climate year round, though July and August can be very warm. The City of Arts and Sciences is open daily throughout the year—check before visiting for showtimes at the IMAX theater.
The search for the Holy Grail—the chalice that Christians believe Jesus drank from at the Last Supper—has inspired people across the world. Some people think that the ornate chalice on display inside Valencia Cathedral is the real Holy Grail, and for centuries many have made pilgrimages to view it. The agate, gold, and gem-covered cup has been recognized by the Vatican as a true Grail relic—and you can visit the cathedral to see for yourself.