What Hospital La Fe is
Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, commonly known as Hospital La Fe, is a public healthcare, teaching and research institution in Valencia, Spain. Its current campus is in the Malilla district at Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell, 106, 46026 Valencia.
La Fe is affiliated with the University of Valencia and other academic institutions. It is a regional and national referral center, with specialties including cardiology, gastroenterology and pediatrics. Its campus includes hospital services and research facilities.
History
Construction of the original hospital began in 1968 on the outskirts of Valencia, in the Campanar district, which at the time included industrial areas and agricultural land. The hospital opened in 1969 as the “Ciudad Sanitaria La Fe de Valencia,” as part of Spain’s wider effort to expand and modernize public healthcare (eldiario.es).
The original complex included a central pavilion for general hospitalizations, a maternity ward, a children’s hospital, emergency services, research laboratories, and a school for nurses and midwives. It had capacity for 17,270 hospitalizations annually. During the 1970s and 1980s, La Fe became a reference hospital for Valencia, the Valencian Community and Spain, combining clinical care with research and professional training.
By the turn of the 21st century, the hospital was the central node of a healthcare network that included primary care centers and specialty clinics. It served more than 210,000 residents in its immediate catchment area, while approximately 50% of its annual activity involved patients referred from other regions for specialized treatment (lafe.san.gva.es).
In 2010, La Fe moved from Campanar to a purpose-built facility in Malilla. Designed by architecture studios AIDHOS and Ramón Esteve, the new hospital covers over 260,000 square meters. The move doubled its capacity and provided modern infrastructure and medical technology; the new location is also near major transport arteries (ramonesteve.com).
The former Campanar complex began phased demolition in 2024. Its central pavilion and annexes are being removed to make way for new healthcare facilities, including a hospital for medium- and long-term care and day hospitals for mental health services. The former nursing school is to be the only remaining structure and has been repurposed for emergency use during health crises (eldiario.es).
What to see and the hospital’s work
La Fe’s Malilla campus contains advanced medical facilities and research centers. The La Fe Health Research Institute, IIS La Fe, works on research including oncology, neurosciences, cardiovascular diseases, rare diseases and innovative therapies for conditions without effective treatments. An upcoming high-performance computing data center at IIS La Fe is intended to support research in genomics and personalized medicine.
The hospital has pioneered work in radiophysics and oncology, including development of the “Valencia” brachytherapy insert, recognized internationally (ptwdosimetry.com). It also works with telemedicine, robotic surgery and digital imaging, and has been recognized for integrating artificial intelligence and other digital systems.
In 2024, Newsweek and Statista ranked La Fe 181st in the world and eighth in Spain. Its cardiology service was ranked 173rd globally and 11th in Spain; gastroenterology, 122nd globally and 10th nationally; and pediatrics, 178th globally and ninth in Spain (fineandcountry.es, valenciasecreta.com).
La Fe has more than 400 medical residents in training, over 1,100 physicians and 3,800 nursing professionals. Its network includes 20 primary care centers and specialized units for chronic care and geriatric emergencies. In 2024, it became the first hospital in the Valencian Community to receive Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) for adapting emergency care to older adults (lafe.san.gva.es, valenciaplaza.com).
Practical visiting information
Visiting hours, access and tickets
La Fe is a working healthcare facility, not a monument, and there is no general ticketing system for visiting its public areas. Patient visiting hours vary by department. Published general schedules include 12:00 PM–2:00 PM and 5:00 PM–8:00 PM daily, as well as 12:00 PM–8:00 PM. Check the relevant unit or the hospital’s official website before visiting, as schedules can also change with health guidelines.
Visitors may need to register at the main entrance and follow hospital protocols, including health screening where applicable. The visitor information provided also states that masks and hand sanitization are generally required. Emergency services operate 24/7.
General public tours of the hospital are not offered because it is a medical facility. Special visits may be arranged for academic or professional groups. Access to IIS La Fe and the hospital’s public areas is free. Guided tours of IIS La Fe require prior registration and may have limited availability; the tours are described as free of charge. IIS La Fe also holds scheduled open days and public lectures. For tour information, contact the visitor information desk at +34 96 124 67 00 or [email protected].
Transport, parking and accessibility
The hospital can be reached by bus, metro, taxi and private car. Bus and metro connections serve the Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell area, and on-site parking is available. Parking includes short- and long-term options, fees may apply, and availability may be limited during peak hours.
The campus is wheelchair-friendly, with ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms and dedicated or reserved parking for people with reduced mobility. Signage is in Spanish and Valencian, with some English.
Services and communication
Scheduled and emergency admissions are handled through the main hospital building. Dedicated outpatient clinics provide consultations, diagnostic imaging and day-hospital treatments. Cafeterias, waiting areas, pharmacies and green spaces are available to visitors and patients.
Spanish and Valencian are the hospital’s primary languages. Some staff members speak English, particularly in international patient services. Visitors who need language support are advised to arrange translation assistance. Appointments can be made online, by phone or in person.
For appointments, visitor information and general inquiries, consult the official Hospital La Fe website. The emergency number is 112; English-speaking operators are usually available.
Tips
Public transport or ride-sharing services can be used to avoid parking challenges during peak hours. Hotels and serviced apartments are located nearby, with public transport options for commuting. Check the hospital’s website or contact the relevant department before arrival for current visiting arrangements, events and health protocols.
Nearby places
City of Arts and Sciences
The City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias) is approximately 10 minutes from the hospital by car. Designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela, it opened in 1998. Its buildings include L'Hemisfèric, an IMAX cinema and planetarium; the Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe; L'Umbracle, a landscaped walk and garden; the Oceanogràfic, described as Europe’s largest aquarium; and Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, an opera house.
The complex is generally open daily from 10:00 to 19:00, though hours vary by venue. Visitors can buy single-entry tickets for individual buildings or combination tickets. Reduced prices are available for students, seniors, children and Valencia residents. Advance online booking is recommended in the source information to avoid queues, especially during peak tourist seasons. Outdoor areas such as L'Umbracle are free to enter; indoor attractions require tickets.
The complex has step-free entrances, wide pathways and elevators. Accessible restrooms have grab bars and emergency call buttons; signage uses pictograms and high-contrast visuals. Induction loops and audio guides are available for visitors with hearing impairments. Staff are trained to assist visitors with special needs, and wheelchairs can be rented on site. On-site parking includes designated spaces for disabled visitors.
Bus lines and metro serve the complex; the Marítim-Serrería station is on Line 5. Accessible transport options are available. Guided tours, including audio guides, are offered. L’Hemisfèric and the Umbracle are among the complex’s photography spots. On-site cafés and nearby restaurants offer dining options, including vegetarian and gluten-free meals. The source information suggests early mornings or late afternoons to avoid crowds and for softer natural light.
Accessibility information is available in the Visit Valencia Accessibility Guide. Check the City of Arts and Sciences official website for current hours and ticket information.
Other Valencia sights
Turia Gardens, a green space for walks and relaxation, is a short drive away. Other sights mentioned for visitors combining a hospital visit with sightseeing include Valencia Cathedral and Plaza de la Virgen.
Frequently asked questions
What are Hospital La Fe’s visiting hours?
Schedules vary by department. General schedules given include 12:00 PM–2:00 PM and 5:00 PM–8:00 PM, or 12:00 PM–8:00 PM. Confirm the times with the hospital or the patient’s ward.
Do I need a ticket to visit Hospital La Fe or IIS La Fe?
No ticket is required for the hospital’s public areas. IIS La Fe guided tours are free but require advance registration and may have limited availability.
Can I visit a patient at any time?
No. Visiting hours vary by department; contact the hospital or the patient’s ward for specific times.
How do I get to the hospital, and is parking available?
La Fe is reachable by bus, metro, taxi and car. On-site visitor parking is available, though availability may be limited at peak times and fees may apply.
Is the hospital accessible for people with disabilities?
Yes. Accessibility features include ramps, elevators, accessible restrooms and reserved parking.
Are guided tours available?
General public tours of the hospital are not offered. Special visits may be arranged for academic or professional groups; IIS La Fe offers guided tours by prior registration.
Can I attend research seminars or public lectures?
IIS La Fe holds public lectures and scheduled open days. Event dates and registration details are available through its website.
