Oceanografic Valencia Entry Ticket

The Oceanografic in Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences

The Oceanografic opened in 2002 as part of the City of Arts and Sciences, the futuristic complex on the old Turia riverbed. It is the largest aquarium in Europe and is spread over a wide park with pavilions, lakes and gardens. The restaurant building, shaped like a water lily, was designed by the architect Felix Candela.

If you are asking whether the Oceanografic is worth visiting, the size and variety are the answer: you can spend hours wandering between environments that would normally require several trips around the world. Your Oceanografic Valencia ticket covers general admission and access to all the exhibits.

The marine environments: Mediterranean to Antarctic

The park is organised by ecosystem. You move from the Mediterranean and the Red Sea to the tropical seas, the Arctic and Antarctic, temperate and tropical wetlands, and the open oceans, each in its own building. Coral gardens, jellyfish, penguins, walruses and shy sea creatures are shown with clear explanations in English and Spanish.

The Arctic building houses belugas and walruses, while the Antarctic section houses penguins. The Red Sea and the Mediterranean sections show how varied the habitats of even the closest waters are. Each area is a good place to pause, so take your time and follow the map.

The underwater tunnel, sharks and sea lions

The highlight for many visitors is the Oceans tunnel, a long glass tube that lets you walk through the middle of an enormous tank while sharks, rays and shoals of fish swim above and around you. The Oceanografic also has one of the largest collections of sharks in Europe, and sea lions and other marine mammals delight children.

Look out for the sawfish, jellyfish and colourful reef fish, and for the pelicans, flamingos and other birds on the lakes and terraces on the upper level. Check the programme when you arrive for feeding times and any special presentations, which vary by day.

Practical visit: opening hours, time slots and getting there

Oceanografic opening hours change by season, generally opening at 10:00 and closing earlier in winter and later in the summer months, so check the times shown in the booking panel. The park lies at Carrer d'Eduardo Primo Yufera, in the south-east of the city. If you are wondering how to get to the Oceanografic, you can take a city bus or a taxi, or walk or cycle along the Turia gardens.

Allow around four hours for a full visit, more with children. The best time to visit is early on a weekday, or in the last part of the afternoon in summer. Food and drinks are not included, but there are restaurants and cafes on site, including an underwater restaurant. The park is wheelchair-accessible.