Natural Science Museum of Valencia
Natural history museum with world-class fossils
At a Glance
Best Ages
5-14 years
Cost
Varies
Time Needed
1.5-2.5 hours
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor
Weather Fit
Great for rainy days
Stroller Access
Yes, step-free
Washrooms
On-site
Food
Cafes nearby in park
Parking
Street/park nearby
Booking
Not required
Parent Effort
Low (self-guided)
A well-curated, free-entry natural history museum that rewards curious kids with dramatic fossils, a recreated prehistoric cave, and a Nobel laureate’s study. It is compact enough to tour in a morning without fatigue, and its park setting invites a picnic afterwards.
About This Place
The Natural Science Museum of Valencia — formally the Museu Valencià d'Història Natural — occupies a restored rationalist building in the Jardines de Viveros park. Its centrepiece is the Botet Collection, widely regarded as the finest collection of South American Pleistocene fossils in Europe. Exhibits are organised into four thematic sections and include a recreation of a prehistoric cave, a reproduction of Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist Santiago Ramón y Cajal's study, and extensive displays of minerals, fossils, and taxidermied specimens. Admission is free.
Official Website open_in_new- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday – Saturday
- 10:00 – 19:00
- Sunday
- Closed
Hours were last verified in 2026. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date opening times.
Check the official website for current admission prices.
World-class fossils
See the famed Botet Collection, Europe’s finest South American Pleistocene fossils.
Prehistoric cave
Walk through a recreated cave and imagine life thousands of years ago.
Nobel study replica
Step into Santiago Ramón y Cajal’s reconstructed laboratory.
Free admission
No ticket cost makes it an easy, low-risk outing for families.
Good to Know Before You Go
- Admission
- Free entry for all visitors
- Guided visits
- Educator and guide rules apply; check ahead for family tours
- Temp exhibits
- Rotating exhibitions and lecture cycles run throughout the year
- Park setting
- Located inside Jardines de Viveros — good for a stroll before or after
- Closed days
- Mondays, 1 & 6 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec
- Language
- Displays primarily in Spanish and Valencian
Kid Fit by Age
Carriers easier than strollers in some gallery areas; quiet environment suits naps.
Dinosaur bones and cave replica capture short attention spans; keep close around displays.
Fossils, minerals, and taxidermy feed natural curiosity; hands-off rules need reminding.
Ideal age for grasping science stories; the four themed sections match school topics.
Depth of the Botet Collection and temporary exhibits keep older kids engaged.
Strong for students interested in biology, paleontology, or local history.
Insider Tips
Combine the visit with playtime in Jardines de Viveros right outside — the park has open lawns and shade.
Ask staff about any current temporary exhibitions; they often feature kid-friendly themes.
If your child is dinosaur-mad, head straight to the Botet fossil room before crowds build.
- •Some specimens are fragile and displayed at low heights — remind children not to touch
- •Floors may be polished; hold little hands on wet days
- •Emergency exits are clearly marked in each gallery section
- •Step-free access to main entrance and galleries
- •Accessible washrooms available on-site
- •Some narrow corridors between display cases may limit wheelchair turning space
- •Quiet weekday mornings best for visitors with sensory sensitivities
schedule Best Time to Visit
Tuesday through Friday mornings are quietest. Saturdays and public holidays draw more school groups and tourists, so arrive at opening (10:00) for a calmer visit.
shopping_bag What to Bring
- check_boxComfortable walking shoes for the museum and surrounding park
- check_boxWater bottles — drinking fountains may be limited
- check_boxA light jacket as air-conditioning can be cool in summer
- check_boxA camera for the cave and fossil displays (no flash if posted)
Location
Address
Jardines de Viveros, C/ del Gral. Elio, s/n, La Zaidía, 46010 València, Valencia, Spain
Phone
+34962084313
