Uncover Nîmes' rich history at the interractive Musée de la Romanité. In stark contrast to the Roman Amphitheatre standing just opposite, the Musée de la Romanité is housed in a striking futuristic glass and steel structure designed by Elizabeth de Portzamparc, showcasing artefacts and exhibitions exploring the life of local people over the course of 25 centuries. 

Take a stroll around the Jardins de la Fontaine, grand 18th-century gardens located around the water source where ancient Nîmes was first founded. Discover the Roman monuments and statues here at one of Europe's first public parks.

Visit Les Arènes, a twin-tiered amphitheatre which is the best preserved of its kind in France. Over 2000 years old, the arena once seated 24,000 spectators. Grab an audio guide to provide you with context as you explore the arena before viewing replicas of gladiators' armour in the museum.

A trip to the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza makes a great counterpart to Madrid's other two big galleries, the Prado and Reina Sofía museums. Here you'll find works from the extensive private collection of the Thyssen-Bornemisza family, spanning multiple genres and centuries, from the Old Masters to American Expressionism and everything in between.

Visit the famous Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and discover centuries' worth of exquisite paintings, furniture and armour.

Visit one (or all) of the galleries that make up Madrid's 'Golden Triangle': the Museo del Prado, Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza, each of which houses some of the most world's most prestigious artworks.

Cádiz is famed for its history as one of the oldest cities in western Europe. The Roman Theatre, built around 70BC, is well worth a visit and easily reached on foot. The theatre is thought to have welcomed 10,000 spectators in its heyday. Guided tours are available.

For the best views of the city, climb the 45m tall watchtower to its rooftop terrace. The tower was built in the 1700s when trade was booming and it was used to monitor ships coming into the harbour. One level below is the camera obscura, a visual projector which is showcased every half hour.

For a true taste of art deco, head to Cinematheque Tanger, an all-artist-run creative hub. The theatre is North Africa’s first arthouse cinema and has masterclasses on independent films. 

Find a moment of calm from the bustling kasbah at La Terrasse De Dar El Kasbah. This colourful 19th-century tea house is stationed in the original 1884 building, the first English telegraph line between Tangier and Gibraltar. 

Tangier fell under the Carthaginian settlement and remnants of this past are evident at Cape Spartel. One of its biggest draws is the ornate lighthouse and nature reserve with its epic views of the sea.  

The sights and smells of the Chouara Tannery are a sensory experience and a photographer's delight. You can see the men hard at work in the pools of various hues from the balconies of the leather shops. 

You will be greeted by the scents of rose and lavender at the Palais Amani hotel hammam. After being pampered, you can relax with tea in the stunning zen courtyard trickling with fountains. 

The car-free medina of Fez is classified as the oldest in the world. A guided tour here will take you through various culinary spots that are nestled in former caravanserais, serving seasonal produce.

A five-minute walk south of Place Mohammed V lies the Parc de la Ligue Arabe. This tranquil oasis away from the cacophony of the city has varieties of flora native to the African continent. 

The only Jewish Museum in the Arab world, the Museum of Moroccan Judaism taps into the history and traditions of Morocco's Jewish population. Along with a synagogue, there are curated exhibitions showcasing Jewish paintings, handicrafts and jewellery. 

Its bedecked minaret dominating Casablanca’s skyline, the Hassan II Mosque is the city’s crown jewel. For non-Muslims, guided tours are the best way to explore the mosque during non-prayer hours. 

Discover Barcelona's rich heritage in this vast living museum, with its main building on Plaça del Rei. The Museu d'Historia de Barcelona (MUHBA) contains the remains of Roman villas, an underground winery and the largest Roman excavation outside Rome.

Overlooking Barcelona, Montjüic is a hilltop vantage point a world away from the labyrinthine streets of the city below. Explore the castle and botanic gardens, and see the grand Olympic Stadium originally built for the 1929 Olympics and refurbished for the 1992 Games.

Explore the diminutive but diverse collection of erotica from across history at Barcelona's Museu de l'Erotica. From pictures of lithe Kama Sutra bodies to the voluptuousness of Japanese Shunga drawings, this museum opens a door into the history of desire and sexual expression.

Stroll along the Canal Saint-Martin, for boutique shopping by day and buzzing bars and restaurants by night.

Take a trip out to the Jardin Albert Kahn and immerse yourself in orchards, rose gardens and forests that combine French, Japanese and English garden design. They were originally created by banker Albert Kahn before the Wall Street Crash, after which he lost his bank and his fortunes – including this garden.

Head to Paris' Marais quarter for indie boutiques and some of the city's coolest bars.