Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias

The City of Arts and Sciences lies in the former bed of the River Turia, which was diverted after the devastating flood of 1957. Most of the buildings are by Santiago Calatrava and were completed in stages: the Hemisfèric in 1998, an eye-shaped IMAX cinema and planetarium; the science museum in 2000, which recalls a whale skeleton; the Umbracle in 2001, a garden walkway planted with native species; and the opera house in 2005, with its gleaming metallic shell.

The oceanarium L'Oceanogràfic, opened in 2003, was designed by Félix Candela and is among the largest aquariums in Europe. Pools reflect the white buildings, and many surfaces are covered in broken-tile mosaic (“trencadís”). The architecture is best enjoyed on a stroll through the riverbed; the museum and aquarium also suit families. Allow half a day or more for the grounds and a visit indoors.