Quality is a factor that makes tourist destinations more or less competitive and that's why the Region of Valencia (comprising of Castellón, Valencia and Alicante) is promoting quality in all aspects affecting tourism, considering accessibility as a key factor.

The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias is a huge barrier free complex set up in Valencia by the Autonomous Government. L'Oceanografic, covering an area of fully PRM accessible 110,000 square metres , is a section of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias and represents a landmark among aquariums worldwide through its concept, design, size and content of species. It was opened to the public in February 2003.
The different exhibitions give us a clear image of marine ecosystems and their huge biodiversity, and manage to transmit the unique sensation of taking us beneath the waves in search of the secrets of the ocean.

The surface area is divided into two levels: the upper level (central lake, recreational areas, marine mammal and turtle pools, aviary, restaurants, and educational, research and administrative buildings) and the lower level (80% of the animal exhibitions and a car park with room for 830 vehicles and reserved parking bays for the disabled) are linked by means of ramps and elevators. Some of the reserved parking bays are next to an elevator (more or less in the middle of the car park). Mind that if you are using a manual wheelchair some ramps might become a bit difficult mainly due to their length and you could need some assistance: this doesn't apply if you are on an electric wheelchair.
The resort also includes the Educational and Research Building and the Access Building (information desks, shops, and other general services are located on the ground floor).

L'Oceanogràfic is made up of ten buildings, spectacular in design and rich in content, named after each of our planet's oceans and seas, covering the most representative environments and ecosystems in the marine world: Mediterranean, Wetlands, Temperate and Tropical, Oceans, Arctic, Antarctic, Islands, Red Sea - Underwater Auditorium, Underwater Restaurant (surrounded by eight giant acrylic panels behind which swim 10,000 deep-sea fish) and Dolphinarium (divided in 5 different pools of which one is for exhibitions).

While touring the Temperate and Tropical building we are invited to take a journey from the mild-water ocean regions to the warmer waters of the Tropics: exhibitions are connected via a fantastic underwater tunnel, about 70 metres long, the longest of its kind in Europe. This building houses the Aquarium of the Senses where the marine world can be known via a unique and surprising multi-sensorial experience, which generates sensations and emotions related to the sea. Entering an underwater cave by means of several ramps, we discover the ocean's secrets through the interactive stimulation of our sight, touch, hearing, sense of smell and even our taste buds. The area is designed for the use of everyone, having been specially adapted to accommodate visitors with visual impairments/blind.

Reduced admission fee for disabled visitors. 

Opening Schedule:

L'Oceanografic
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
Avenida Autopista El Saler
Acceso por Avda. Instituto Obrero, s/n. Valencia
Tel: (+34) 902 100 031
www.cac.es/oceanografic/index.php

Rebecca Arce

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