In a bid to rival Seville's Expo and Barcelona's redeveloped port, Valencia competes with what has been billed "the largest urban complex in Europe for cultural, educational, and leisure expansion." It's in the southern part of the city, on a 36-hectare (90-acre) site in a carefully landscaped park of lush greenery and peaceful lagoons. The goal of the complex is to make learning fun. The state-of-the-art educational center consists of four main buildings:

L'Hemisferic: Designed by award-winning architect Santiago Calatrava, this building offers documentaries and an exploration of the universe. A laser show (with changing programs) runs on a 47-sq.-m (900-sq.-ft.) concave IMAX screen, with the soundtrack in four languages, and six-channel stereo.

Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe: Devoted to science and discovery, the building takes the form of a vast roof supported by a transparent glazed north facade and an opaque south facade. At the center, the visitor will be able to not only to look at, but also to touch and feel in this "museum of sensations." The museum is filled with special exhibitions demonstrating the high technology of companies in the 21st century.

Two other major sections include the following:

L'Oceanografic: Eight hectares (20 acres) of the complex are devoted to lagoons and leisure pavilions arranged into an underwater city that will re-create marine habitats from every ocean. There's also a dolphinarium for aquatic shows and a miniport for playing with remote-controlled boats. Submarine glass walkways connect the areas. An underwater restaurant is on-site.

Palacio de las Artes: A seemingly weightless 45m-high (150-ft.) glass and metal construction will contain one outdoor and two indoor auditoriums. All three will have the latest technology for the performance of plays, opera, and music.

Prices

Admission to L'Hemisferic or Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe7.50€ ($9.85); 5.80€ ($7.60) children 12 and under, students, and seniors. Admission to L'Oceanografic 22€ ($29) adults; 16.60€ ($22) children 12 and under, students, and seniors. Combined admission to Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe and L'Hemisferic 11.20€ (adults) and 8.5€ (children)

Hours

Sun-Fri 10am-6pm (open until 8pm mid-June -July), Sat 10am-8pm. August Museum is open 10am-10pm, Aquarium 10am-midnight  
  
Location

Instituto Obrero s/n  
  
Transportation

Bus- 15, 19, 35, 40 and 95 in front of the "Centro Comercial El Saler"

URL: www.cac.es

E-mail: rree@cac.es

Attraction type

Park; Aquarium; Theater; Science museum; Town center/square/plaza; Museum complex; Art museum; Architectural building; Arena/stadium/field; Educational site.