Science & Technology School Trips to Valencia

A WST tour to the Valencia can support the study of key elements of subject content for GCSEs, Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers & A Levels in the Sciences.

THE CITY OF ARTS AND SCIENCE

An absolute must for all groups visiting Valencia, let alone Science groups! This iconic and stunning complex occupies a massive 350,000-sq-metre of former Turia River riverbed and is mostly the work of world-famous, locally born architect Santiago Calatrava. 

There are 4 different sections we can arrange individual or combined ticket entry for, all opening at 10am. The Príncipe Felipe Science Museum, Hemisfèric (incredible 3-D cinema Museum, the Oceanogràfic (Europe’s largest aquarium) and the Reina Sofia Opera House.

1) Príncipe Felipe Science Museum:

The ‘whale skeleton’ building is an incredible museum of where it is forbidden NOT to touch. It is orientated for learning the sciences through experience, so everything is graphically displayed, with huge texts and images, experiments, buttons to touch and experience... perfect for students!

The ground floor includes the "Science on Stage" and the "TV Studio". The first floor includes fun interactive science exhibitions, and an artistic representation of DNA in the form of a 15m sculpture.  It also houses one of the longest running pendulums in the world, and the excellent climatic change exhibition.

The second floor is devoted to "The Legacy of Science"- a chronological sequence based on audiovisual material reveals the life and evolution of the research of three outstanding Nobel prize winners of medicine.

On the third floor students love to spend time interacting with a wide number of exhibits in the “Chromosome Forest", with over 2,600m2 devoted to the biggest milestone in modern science: the sequencing of human DNA.

Other interactive exhibitions also include the "Zero Gravity", created jointly with the European Space Agency, the "Space Academy" - an interactive module that reproduces the three stages in the preparation of the space launch to the International Space Station.

The Museum also offers  ‘Science to Scene’ Demonstrations  (+12 years): For a small extra fee, your students can enjoy a 45 scientific demonstration run  by the museums specially trained demonstrators who will disseminate science in a very fun way without renouncing scientific rigor! There are options to choose from across all 3 disciplines. 

2) Oceanografic: Don’t miss this incredible aquarium and Marine Park – the 3rd largest in the world.  You are  invited us to travel around the planet's main seas and oceans witnessing more than 45,000 examples of 500 different marine species - amongst which can be found sharks, Beluga whales, walruses, sea lions, penguins and manta rays - inhabit nine underwater towers that, structured in two levels, represent the most emblematic ecosystems of the planet.

The oceanographic park, created as a leisure, training and research centre, is structured into ten great areas. The marine areas reflect the Mediterranean habitats, the polar oceans - the Arctic and the Antarctic, the islands, the tropical seas, the temperate seas and the Red Sea. Moreover, the park also has a spectacular dolphinarium, with a show not to be missed. It also offers many different services such as shops and restaurants, amongst which should be highlighted the underwater restaurant where clients can have lunch surrounded by an immense aquarium.

4D: Scientific Film- Don’t forget to add a showing at Spain’s largest 4D cinema and enjoy a memorable science based film as the cinema re-creates conditions like wind, changes of light, aromas, snow, as well as vibration in the seats.

3) The Hemisferic: The Hemisfèric is a mesmorising digital 3D cinema, with a huge 900m concave screen, which almost envelops spectators. Several films are screened daily, mainly educational documentaries of no more than 45 minutes which are suitable for all audiences. During the projection they'll give you headphones, so you can choose the language of the narration in Spanish or English. You will receive a pair of innovative 3D glasses with your ticket enabling you to change the screening language. We recommend that you check the film listings and reserve the screening that you would like to see before starting your visit to other buildings of the City of Arts and Sciences.

4)The Umbracle: This is a landscaped viewpoint covering an area of more than 17,500 square metres, from which to view all the buildings, ponds, paths, and landscaped areas of the complex. It houses the “Paseo de las Esculturas”, an open-air art gallery with sculptures by contemporary artists. Terraza Mya opens its doors at night during the summer months. 

5) Reina Sofia Opera House: If you are a music-lover then the Palau de les Arts is the place for you at the City of Arts and Sciences. From October to November, its programme includes operas, concerts, zarzuela and ballet. When not being used for performances, you can visit the building by booking a tour in advance.

La Albufera Natural Park – with optional boat trip

La Albufera is a wonderful escape from the bustling city of Valencia, a great place to soak up some beautiful landscapes and be at one with nature.

The natural park of the Albufera is just 40 mins south of Valencia city and home to an enormous freshwater lagoon with some incredible nature, dunes, wetlands, birds, fauna and the beaches of El Saler, which is surrounded by rice fields- perfect Paella territory!

Take a boat ride in a typical Albufera boat for the perfect views of the park including the rice fields, traditional Valencian houses and fishing techniques established 750 years ago.

Bioparc

This innovative zoo, in which the barriers are practically invisible and the animals feel right at home, covers some 100,000 square metres and is located in the Parque de Cabecera within the former Turia Riverbed. Contrary to traditional zoos, this park has the unique feature of bringing the visitor totally into the habitat of the animals. This is known as zoo immersion.

Bioparc’s main objective is to promote respect for animals and make the general public aware of importance of protecting the environment through a commitment to education and the preservation of the animals. Leopards, lemurs, hyenas, lions, giraffes, gorillas, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, porcupines, ostriches, elephants, otters all coexist in this zoological world.

Municipal Museum of Natural Sciences 

Located the beautiful gardens, los Jardines de Viveros, the Municipal Museum of Natural Sciences displays  the progress made in the field from the Renaissance until the middle of the 20th century, emphasizing the contribution made by the most prominent Valencian scientists. 

The museum also explores the origins of the universe, the origins of life and the evolution up until the dinosaurs and includes bones, various fossils, a few models and animations with dinosaur skeletons being a highlight.

Guided Walking Tours of Valencia ( 4  hours)

A guided tour on foot is the perfect introduction to the city, giving you the opportunity to get your bearings around the city and to see all the major sights and landmarks. Our partners in resort are vastly experienced in delivering walks taking in the highlights.  

Our walks are tailored around you and can be adapted to your group.  Typical highlights include a tour around the old town. It’s one of the oldest and best kept in Europe. Visit the old walls and towers and bustling plaza. See ‘La Lonja’ (The Silk Exchange), declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 1996, and the popular Central Market Mercado Central, full of vivacity and a great place to practice language skills. The North Station is another impressive building boasting a beautiful façade.

See the Cathedral, built on the site of a Roman that houses exquisite pieces of gold and silverwork, a collection of religious paintings from the Valencian school and other unique works. (small extra pre-payable fee to enter)

Other popular sites include the The Marquis de Dos Aguas Palace, the Fine Arts Museum, the Institute of Modern Art and the Beneficiencia Cultural Center.

The Central Market

This huge marketplace has over 1000 stalls! Held within an impressive art nouveau building, the colourful Mediterranean fruit and veg is piled high in stunning displays,  and the aroma of fresh bread, coffee and oranges fills the air. Every day from Monday-Saturday the market is packed with locals and tourists armed with shopping carts beneath the market’s ceramic tiles. There are some other smaller markets but we recommended the Central market for groups based on its size, location and a good number of English speakers around.

Operation Freddy Ipad Challenge ( 2 Hour) 

A fantastically fun way for school groups to learn about and explore Valencia. 

Freddy will guide you through Valencia (in small groups each with own iPad). He’ll ask all kinds of interactive questions and assignments; it’s up to you and your team to find the right answers and be creative.

Along the way, you learn more about the highlights of the city, with text and pictures. The route and questions can be tailored to match your needs. There’s even a prize for the winning group!

The Target ( Town Trail Game) 2 hours

A second exciting and unique interactive game around Valencia. “The Target” is like a real life game, played with tablets with GPS and the historic centre of Valencia is the playground.

A dangerous gangster has escaped from prison, police teams (the students) are in pursuit armed only with tablets and satellites hanging above the city.Can the agents catch the gangster before he reaches his ‘target’ of stealing £100,000?

Do not miss this exciting game in the city of Valencia!

La Bulería Falamenco Show (with evening meal Option) Fri & Sat only 

The venue offers authentic performances for an experience which embodies the magic and charm of this ancestral part of Spanish culture. La Bulería presents flamenco shows on Friday and Saturday nights with options for the show with drink, tapas or dinner menus.

The show in La Buleria is approximately seventy minutes long  and features four to five artists. The performance includes several of the most representative styles of flamenco. La Bulería continues to be one of the most important flamenco venues in Valencia, offering a unique combination of a show with quality artists and typical Spanish gastronomy, two of the most valued treasures of Spain.

Tour of Mestalla: Valencia FC Football Stadium

The Mestella stadium is home to the Valencia Football club team. This is a legendary stadium that has lived many important games and all the important teams of Europe have in some occasion or other, in some competition or friendly matches have played over here.

A unique visit to a Mestalla is full of history and emotions. Take a tour in Spanish or English (or a mixture of the two).Visit the most relevant places, including the changing rooms and the pitch. Take a seat on the benches where the best players in the history of football have been. Take a look at the private and presidential boxes, visit the press room where the players are interviewed.

Valencia Cathedral 

Valencia Cathedral was built on the site of a Roman temple in the thirteenth century before being converted into a mosque. The incredible frescos above the alter were the first frescos in Spain which were rediscovered only in 2004! Throughout the building you can see a range of architectural styles. This is typified by three of the cathedral's main doors: Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque.

Inside the Santo Caliz Chapel you can find a Holy Chalice that the Vatican lists as he #1 mostly likely chalice used by Christ during the Last Supper. Inside the Saint Francis Borja Chapel you will find a famous painting by Goya.

Paella Workshop

Valencia is the undisputed home of paella. As one of the largest natural ports in the Mediterranean it has been one of the most important rice-producing areas in Spain since rice was introduced by the Moors over 1200 years ago.

Make your own paella and bring back home the taste of Spain, sign up for a paella cooking workshop with a master chef. Valencian paella is not made with seafood but with rabbit, chicken, beans and some secret ingredients.

You just need some ingredients to get started, a cup of fun, a dash of enthusiasm, the tips from the Chefs!  

Terra Mítica Theme Park

This theme park is located in Benidorm, approximately 90 minutes’ drive from Valencia. The park is divided into 5 themed zones: Egypt, Greece, Rome, Iberia, and the Islands. It is typically open mid-May until the end of summer, and most weekends in September and October too. We can also pre-arrange lunch if required.

Valencia’s Art Museums

• Museum of Fine Arts San Pio V (Bellas Artes). Free -Closed Tuesdays
• Valencian Institute of Modern Art. Closed Mondays
• The National Ceramics Museum. Closed Mondays
• Museum of the Guild of Fallas Artists. Closed Sundays and July/August
• Museum of Las Fallas.  Monday closed

Aquopolis Water Park

This park has something for everyone whether you like to faster slides or just to float along in relative tranquillity.  The attractions are divided into three categories, “moderate”, “high emotion” and “children". The rides are well supervised and height restrictions apply. It is around 45 minutes south of Valencia and is typically open Mid June –end August.