Valencia heads into 2026 with its 2024 European Green Capital credentials intact and its resilience tested. The devastating late-2024 floods disrupted operations and upended lives, but the port and tourism infrastructure have been stabilized… and the beaches have lived to delight another day. Sustainability remains central. In 2025, the City of Arts and Sciences began installing a geothermal plant to slash energy use and emissions, reinforcing Valencia’s role as the first city in the world to verify the carbon footprint of its entire tourism sector.
Flagship projects like Parque Central’s first 28 acres of reclaimed rail yard green space have matured into a vital public anchor, while Calatrava’s CaixaForum València and the new Centro de Arte Hortensia Herrero contribute to Valencia’s #36 rank for Museums. Infrastructure development is accelerating. The new pedestrian and future tram tunnel linking Xàtiva and Alacant stations is set for completion by the end of 2025, a key step in pulling Line 10 closer to the historic core. Walkability (at #35) and Biking (at #20) are exemplary. Connectivity is also surging. Summer 2025 saw record air service, with more than 100 destinations, 37 airlines and 3.6 million inbound seats, including the return of Montreal flights and a new Oslo link. And 2026 is expected to bring even more Nordic and long-haul capacity.