City of Arts & Sciences Architecture + Rooftop Wine & Tapas, Valencia

Enjoy one of the most memorable (and delicious) activities in Valencia. You'll start with a guided viewing of the city's iconic City of Arts and Sciences exterior, learning all about its unique architecture and structures. Then, end the excursion on the building's rooftop at midday or sunset, enjoying a wine and tapas tasting with a panoramic backdrop.

The City of Arts and Sciences is Valencia's most important modern tourist site—and it's also one of the 12 Treasures of Spain. Though this activity doesn't enter the museum's interiors, you'll spend one hour learning about its unique exterior structures and architecture. Of course, you'll also learn what's inside, which might inspire you to visit the museum or exhibition sites at another time. 

You'll start by meeting your guide in front of the Barceló Hotel, which sits on the Plaça de Europa roundabout just across the Pont de Montolivet bridge from the City of Arts and Sciences. As you walk just five minutes to the museum, your guide will tell you a little bit about its origins. In the late 1980s, Valencia's president Joan Lerma visited the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie in Paris, which inspired the beginnings of the science complex. Though slowed down by budgets, politics, and controversy, the city inaugurated the first of the many buildings in 1998. 

After a quick five-minute walk, you'll be standing right in front of that initial building, the Hemisfèric structure. Your guide will explain how the building looks like a blinking eye, especially when the glass bottom of the surrounding pool reflects it. Inside the Hemisfèric are the museum's IMAX theater, planetarium, and laserium. You won't go inside now, but if you enter the complex on your own during your stay in Valencia, you can try out the building's incredible echo. If you and another stand at the opposite pillars inside, you can hear and speak with each other!

The next building is the Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe, which opened in 2000. Inside is an interactive science museum with unique exhibits, including the Chromosome Forest showing the sequencing of human DNA, plus the Zero Gravity and Marvel Superheroes exhibitions. But since your focus will be on the architecture, you'll listen to your guide explain the thought behind the structure. It resembles a whale skeleton and features 4,000 glass panes and 14,000 tons of steel.

Continue walking and cross under the Pont l'Assut de l'Or, a modern bridge resembling a harp. On the other side is L'Àgora, a large arena with a glass roof that can move to adjust natural light flow. The geometric and abstract construction houses two exhibition halls, an auditorium, a bar and restaurant, a bookstore, and more. Next door is L'Oceanogràfic, an open-air oceanographic park (the largest aquarium in Europe), with each of its rooms showcasing a different ecosystem and species. There are two other popular structures in the complex that you'll view, the first being the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía opera house resembling a shell, and the other is the L'Umbracle, a landscaped walkway filled with sculptures.

After one hour of learning about the innovative architecture behind the City of Arts and Sciences, you'll head to the private rooftop, where a 10-course tapas tasting menu awaits. Each course comes with an explanation from your host, and you'll also enjoy a few pairings with award-winning regional wines. Take some time between dishes to absorb the incredible panoramic views of Valencia. And, if you choose the dinner experience, you'll also enjoy the sunset. At the end of the tour, a private driver will take you back to your accommodation.