Valencia’s City of Arts & Sciences

The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (City of Arts) in Valencia is a spectacular architectural complex. There are several buildings that house a science museum, an opera/performing arts venue, a garden and an aquarium. It is said to be the most important modern tourist destination in the city of Valencia and one of the 12 Treasures of Spain. It was designed by Valencia born architect Santiago Calatrava, who also designed a beautiful building at the World Trade Center, the Transportation Hub.

The complex was opened in 1998 and is located in part of an old river bed that the city turned into a park after diverting the river after a major flood in 1957. Most of the park is green space with bike paths (which we used), soccer fields, dog parks, children’s parks and more).

We visited the City of Arts on three separate occasions and noticed new and interesting things about it each time. We even went to a performance at the opera house so we could see the inside of the building. It was the musical Chicago, performed in Spanish. We only stayed through part of it, the music and choreography were great but we did not understand the words.

We hope to get to the aquarium before we leave.Read more