City of Arts and Sciences

Welcome to the future! The City of Arts and Sciences is Valencia's absolute flagship project – a futuristic complex of white, curved buildings that look like they've jumped straight out of a science fiction movie. Designed by Valencian star architect Santiago Calatrava, this place is THE Instagram spot of the city!

The complex consists of several spectacular buildings, each a work of art in itself: The Hemisfèric (looks like a giant eye), the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (the opera house, reminiscent of a beached ship), the Oceanogràfic (Europe's largest aquarium) and the Museo de las Ciencias Príncipe Felipe (science museum shaped like a dinosaur skeleton).

The buildings are surrounded by turquoise-blue water pools that create fantastic reflections – especially at sunset, it's a dream! You can stroll around here for hours, admire the architecture, wade through the water pools (yes, that's allowed!) and simply marvel.

The Hemisfèric has an IMAX cinema and planetarium – perfect for a rainy day. The Science Museum is interactive and really fun, especially with kids. And the Oceanogràfic? An underwater paradise with sharks, belugas, penguins and an underwater tunnel you can walk through while fish swim above your head!

In the evening, the entire complex is illuminated and transforms into a magical light show. The white structures glow in different colors – an absolute WOW moment!