Quick Information

RECOMMENDED DURATION

4 hours

Plan your visit

Did you know?

Designed by Santiago Calatrava, Hemisfèric was the first building completed in Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences (opened in 1998).

The structure features a hydraulic eyelid-like cover that opens and closes to simulate blinking.

The IMAX dome is one of the largest in Spain, with state-of-the-art projection systems.

Where is Hemisfèric Valencia located?

Address: Av. del Professor López Piñero, 3, Quatre Carreres, 46013 València

Find On Map

Hemisfèric is located within the iconic City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, between the Turia Gardens and the Palau de les Arts. It's part of a futuristic complex in the Quatre Carreres district, just a short distance from Valencia’s historic center and popular attractions like the Oceanogràfic and the Science Museum.

Getting to Hemisfèric Valencia

Hemisfèric Valencia opening hours

Daily: 10am – 6pm or 9pm (depends on the last show time)

Daily screenings: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm

The Hemisfèric opens in time for the first screening of the day and closes after the final projection.

  • Weekdays: Last show usually ends around 7pm
  • Weekends & Holidays: Extended hours with final shows ending around 8pm and 9pm

More about Hemisfèric Valencia opening hours

Hemisfèric Valencia program

The Hemisfèric Valencia program offers a rotating schedule of visually stunning and educational shows. Here’s a list of typical programming formats you’ll find throughout the year:

IMAX dome documentaries

  • Nature documentaries
  • Ocean exploration
  • Space & astronomy films

Planetarium shows

  • Real-time star navigation
  • Universe simulations
  • Seasonal astronomical themes

Digital 2D/3D Cinema

  • Scientific discoveries
  • Environmental films
  • Family-friendly adventures

Educational Films for Schools

  • Tailored programs for children and students
  • Space technology, natural sciences, and more in the exhibition hall

Hemisfèric Valencia highlights

Immersive screening room

The central projection hall accommodates 310 people and features a concave screen of 900 m² with a 24-meter diameter. It’s the largest hall in Spain to offer three advanced projection systems: IMAX Dome, 3D Digital Cinema, and a Planetarium. The high-tech sound and light setup creates a fully immersive experience.

Three unique show formats

  • IMAX Dome Cinema: Stunning large-format documentaries in high-definition and vivid detail.
  • Digital 2D/3D shows: Cutting-edge digital films with 3D glasses for ultra-realism.
  • Planetarium: A real-time, astronomy simulator with breathtaking starfield views and astronomical journeys.

Versatile event spaces

With over 2,000 m² of outdoor space, surrounded by a reflective pond and protected by the roof, Hemisfèric is an ideal venue for conferences, galas, product launches, and private receptions.

State-of-the-art projection technology

  • Multiprojection System: Projects a 22×11 m digital image seamlessly onto the curved screen.
  • Audio: ATMOS surround sound, SONICS system, LINE ARRAY, and a personalized listening system (PES).
  • Lighting: Dynamic color-mixing dome lighting, stage spotlights, and LED visual effects. Hemisfèric Valencia

Who designed Hemisfèric?

Hemisfèric building reflecting in water at Valencia's City of Arts and Sciences.

The Hemisfèric was designed by Santiago Calatrava, the famous Spanish architect and engineer, known for his futuristic, nature-inspired designs. His vision for the building as an “eye of knowledge” is central to its symbolic and functional role within the City of Arts and Sciences.

Hemisfèric is shaped like a massive eye, symbolizing a window to discovery. Its structure includes:

  • A large ovoid roof and curved dome, resembling an eyelid that opens and closes over a reflecting pool.
  • A 100-meter-long IMAX dome screen—one of the largest in Europe.

History of Hemisfèric Valencia in a nutshell

Hemisfèric was the first building inaugurated at the City of Arts and Sciences, in April 1998. Designed to introduce audiences to the wonders of science, space, and nature through immersive audiovisual experiences, it quickly became one of Valencia’s most visited attractions.

Over the years, it has hosted thousands of screenings, especially IMAX and 3D documentaries on space, marine life, nature, and more. With updated technology and a dynamic Hemisfèric Valencia program, it continues to evolve as a hub of edutainment for all ages.

Hemisfèric IMAX Valencia

4D cinema

Hemisfèric IMAX Valencia is renowned for offering one of the most spectacular large-format cinema experiences in Europe. Featuring a concave 900 m² screen and IMAX Dome technology, the setup immerses visitors in powerful visuals and multidimensional sound.

Key features include:

  • Ultra-high brightness and image clarity that immerses viewers directly into the film.
  • Large-format cinematography that enhances depth and realism—ideal for documentaries on space, nature, and deep-sea life.
  • 360° immersive sound using Dolby Atmos and other object-based audio systems.

This IMAX experience is unmatched in Spain, especially when paired with the architectural grandeur of the Hemisfèric itself.

Visit Hemisfèric

Had fun at Hemisfèric Valencia? Now, head out to these!

Oceanogràfic Valencia

Distance: 3 minutes on foot (approx. 200 meters)

Located just across the water, Oceanogràfic is the closest major attraction to Hemisfèric.

Step into Europe’s largest aquarium! The Oceanogràfic brings together marine life from the Arctic, Mediterranean, Red Sea, and beyond. Walk through a 35-meter underwater tunnel as sharks glide overhead, watch dolphins leap in the open-air arena, or meet adorable belugas in the Arctic dome.

Visit Oceanogràfic Valencia

City of Arts and Sciences

Distance: You're already inside it!

Hemisfèric is one of the main buildings within the City of Arts and Sciences, so you're right in the heart of this architectural and cultural hub.

This futuristic complex is more than just great architecture. Designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, the City of Arts and Sciences houses a world of exploration. Stroll by shimmering pools, and catch stunning photos of the avant-garde buildings.

Visit City of Arts and Sciences

Valencia Science Museum (Museu de les Ciències)

Distance: 2 minutes on foot (approx. 150 meters)

Directly adjacent to Hemisfèric, the Science Museum is a quick and easy walk through the central plaza.

Curious minds will love the Principe Felipe Science Museum, where you’re encouraged to touch, try, and discover. With interactive exhibits on physics, biology, space, and technology, it turns learning into play. Don’t miss the gravity-defying Foucault’s Pendulum or the rotating temporary exhibitions for something new each time you visit.

Visit Valencia Science Museum

Frequently asked questions about Hemisfèric Valencia

Most shows last approximately 45 to 50 minutes. You’re advised to arrive at least 15 minutes early to ensure a smooth entry.