The City of Arts and Sciences (Ciutat de les Arts i de les Ciències) is Valencia's hi-tech quarter. Designed by Santiago Calatrava, the complex comprises five futuristic structures, including an interactive science museum, giant aquarium and IMAX cinema.
Not only do the five buildings look impressive from the outside, but inside they also boast the latest in technology and entertainment.
The Príncipe Felipe Science Museum is a spine-like building, hosting fun exhibitions on biology, chemistry and physics. L'Oceanogràfic is an enormous, ultra-modern aquarium, with the largest dolphinarium in Europe and an underwater restaurant. Eyeball-shaped L'Hemisfèric is a planetarium and IMAX cinema, equipped with cutting-edge equipment. The Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía (Arts Palace) is a multi-functional 2500-seat auditorium that hosts all manner of performances. Finally, L'Umbracle is a mesh-covered archway, filled with all kinds of plants from the Valencia region, including palm trees, bitter orange trees, honeysuckle and hanging Bougainvillea.
The five buildings are set around a shallow turquoise pool. In the evening, the buildings are lit up and reflected in the water, which is a fantastic sight. Guided walking tours of the complex take place at various times throughout the day and last one hour 30 minutes.