Spain’s third-largest city, Valencia, is a magnificent destination - content to let Madrid and Barcelona steal the spotlight while it quietly thrives as a wonderfully livable city with a vibrant cultural, culinary, and nightlife scene. Never afraid to innovate, Valencia rerouted its flood-prone river to the outskirts, transforming the former riverbed into a stunning green ribbon of parkland that winds through the heart of the city. Along this urban oasis stand the strikingly futuristic buildings of the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, designed by Valencia’s own Santiago Calatrava.

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In 2019, the World Design Organization (WDO) named Valencia the World Design Capital for 2022, recognizing its rich design heritage and its strategic use of design in shaping public policy, economic growth, urban planning, and cultural initiatives.

As the eighth city to receive this prestigious biennial title, Valencia continues to set an inspiring example of how design can influence and enhance urban life.