March 13, 2025

L’Hemisferic in Valencia: An Eye to IMAX Cinema & Planetarium Experience

Introduction

Situated right in the middle of Valencia’s avant-garde City of Arts and Sciences, L’Hemisfèric stands as an intermediary between Queen Sofia Palace of Arts and Principe Felipe Science Museum. This architectural marvel, unveiled to the public on 16 April 1998, was the first structure to grace the complex, setting the tone for the city’s modern renaissance. Designed by the renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, L’Hemisfèric captivates visitors with its eye-shaped structure, symbolizing an ‘eye of wisdom’ that invites contemplation and discovery.

The building’s distinctive design features a massive ovoid roof over 100 m / 330ft in length, which houses a concave screen measuring 900 sq m / 9700 sq ft—the largest in Spain equipped for IMAX Dome, 3D digital cinema, and digital projections. This versatility allows L’Hemisfèric to offer a diverse array of scientific and technological presentations, making it a hub for both education and entertainment—hence its location. Surrounded by a vast water pool spanning 24,000 sq m / 258,000 sq ft, the structure’s reflective surfaces create the illusion of a colossal eye gazing right into the heavens and the universe itself, further symbolizing its original concept as a planetarium.

L'Hemisferic in Valencia L'hemisferic in the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia

L’Hemisferic Details

  • Location: City of Arts and Sciences
  • Region: Valencia
  • Address: Av. del Professor López Piñero, 7
  • Opened: 1998
  • Architectural Style: Modern, Futuristic
  • Attractions: IMAX cinema, Planetarium, Multimedia Exhibitions
  • Entrance: Main entrance
  • Entrance fee: 8.90 € (discounted prices available)
  • Tickets: Online skip-the-line tickets
  • Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm.

History

The inception of Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences can be traced back to 1989, when the regional government envisioned a transformative project to position the city as a hub of cultural and scientific excellence. Initially, the plan included a 370 m / 1215 ft high communications tower, a planetarium, and a science museum. However, following political changes in 1995, the project underwent significant revisions, leading to the ambitious complex we see today. 

L’Hemisfèric, inaugurated on 16 April 1998, was the first landmark to emerge from this vision. Santiago Calatrava, who is a native of Valencia, foresaw the design that symbolizes the act of observing and understanding the world, aligning perfectly with the building’s purpose as a center for science and entertainment.

The construction of L’Hemisfèric was not merely about erecting a building; it was a statement of Valencia’s commitment to embracing contemporary architecture and cultural enrichment. The success of L’Hemisfèric paved the way for subsequent additions to the City of Arts and Sciences, and the further development of modern architecture in the surrounding areas, attracting tourists and fostering a renewed sense of pride among locals. It is one of the finest modernist & futuristic architecture specimens not only in Spain, but in the whole World–putting the city o9.40 € (discounted prices available)n the global map.

L'Hemisferic and Principe Felipe Science Museum, Valencia L'Hemisferic and Queen Sofia Palace of Arts, Valencia 2

Why Visit

Stepping into L’Hemisfèric isn’t merely a visit—it’s an immersion into another dimension. Beneath its sweeping dome, visitors journey through galaxies, dive into the ocean’s depths, or venture back in time, all thanks to the cutting-edge IMAX and planetarium projections. Each show is meticulously designed to educate, inspire, and astonish audiences of all ages, making science accessible, thrilling, and profoundly captivating.

Beyond its program, L’Hemisfèric’s magnetic allure lies in the poetry of its architecture and the surroundings. Whether the daytime is, it is a sight to appreciate during the day or night. The harmonious interplay of water, glass, and light creates moments of genuine wonder. If you look carefully, you’ll understand why L’Hemisfèric is the central piece of the whole complex of the City of Arts and Sciences. The building perfectly aligns not only with Queen Sofia Palace of Arts and Principe Felipe Science Museum, but with the nearby Montolivet Bridge. It is especially clear in the photography. To visit L’Hemisfèric is to experience Valencia at its visionary best—a city inviting the world to glimpse the future through an eye that never blinks.

L'Hemisferic and Montolivet Bridge in teh CIty of Arts and Sciences, ValenciaThe Museum of Sciences Príncipe Felipe from L'Hemisferic in the City of Arts and Sciences of Valencia
L'Hemisferic from Principe Felipe Science Museum in Valencia

All photos by Alis Monte. If you want to collaborate, contact me on hi@connectingvalencia.com. Photo by Alis Monte [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Connecting Valencia.

The City of Arts & Sciences

  • Principe Felipe Science Museum – The primary exhibition promotes science and engineering in Valencia.
  • Queen Sofia Palace of Arts– The prime opera house of Valencia, accompanied by a great variety of classical and traditional performances.
  • L’Oceanographic – The largest aquarium in Europe, speaks for itself.
  • L’Hemisferic – A planetarium and IMAX Cinema theater offering immersive experiences like no other on screen.
 

Ticket Discounts

Owners of Valencia Tourist Card will enjoy a 10% discount to any attractions in the City of Arts and Sciences. This includes L’Hemisferic like anything else. Get your Valencia Tourist Card online for 24-hour, 48-hour or 72-hour options with a free cancellation policy up to 24h before pickup date. Alternatively, you can get a much more expensive 7-day Valencia Tourist Card with free entrance to L’Oceanografic, L’Hemisferic, Bioparc and Principe Felipe Science Museum WITHOUT any cancellation policy here.

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