Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias

Ciudad de las artes y las ciencias

The sleek, gleaming white structures designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava compose Valencia's number one attraction: the Ciudad de las artes y las ciencias (City of Arts & Sciences).

(BONUS! When you sign up for a Spanish course in Valencia , you can sign up for all sorts of school-organized excursions and activities. One of students' favorite visits is - you guessed it! - to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias! )

Rising from the crystalline blue pool that connects all of the ultra-futuristic attractions are:

L'OCEANÒGRAFIC
Europe's largest aquarium, where you can get up close to 45,000 of the world's sea creatures, representing 500 different species. The aquarium is composed of several different buildings, each representing a zone, such as Mediterranean, Wetlands, Temperate & Tropical, Oceans, Arctic, Antarctic, Dolphinarium, Islands, etc. Highlights include two underwater tunnels (one is 70 meters long!), a submerged restaurant, an incredible dolphin show and much more.

MUSEU DE LES CIÈNCIES PRÍNCIPE FELIPE
Massive hands-on science museum, where it's frowned upon if you don't touch everything in sight! The museum combines science with the latest technology and features experiments, interactive exhibits, all sorts of activities and a constantly changing program of events.

PALAU DE LES ARTS REINA SOFÍA
A major venue for the arts boasting four main installations; the Main Hall, the Amphitheater, the Chamber Theater and the Master Room. Using music as a common denominator, the Palau de les Arts features a wide range of performances and exhibits revolving around art, theater, opera, dance, cinema, literature, etc.

L'UMBRACLE
A 7000 square meter botanical garden is used to cover the parking garage of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. The landscape walk is flanked by palm trees, blooming plants, hanging vines, orange trees and thousands of flowers... all native to Valencia and its surroundings.

L'HEMISFÈRIC
A giant semicircular structure that, together with its reflection in the water, looks like a big eye, which is fitting considering what awaits you within. L'Hemisfèric features a huge concave screen where you can check out IMAX films, laser shows and planetarium displays. Very cool!