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.

Architect Antoni Gaudí is one of Barcelona’s most famous residents and no visit here is complete without seeing at least one of his organic and imaginative buildings. Both Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (La Pedrera) are easily spotted on a wander down Passeig de Gràcia. If you've a little more time, take the metro up to Parc Güell and wander among the colourful ceramic structures, and for full immersion into Gaudí's grandiosity and ambition, visit the still-unfinished Sagrada Família.

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.

La Lonja de la Seda is a UNESCO protected Gothic structure built in the 15th century to house the city's Silk Exchange.

Climb the steps of the Torres de Serranos, the ancient city gate built in the 14th century, and soak up 360º views over the rooftops, with mountains to the west and sea to the east.

Explore El Cabanyal, the old port area filled with quiet, cobbled streets and lined with colourful houses.

Explore the winding alleyways and caved houses of the ancient Albaicín and Sacromonte areas – they’re also the best place to experience the traditional Flamenco music and dance.

Possibly one of the greatest sights in Europe, head to one of these viewpoints to watch the sunset over the Alhambra.

Sacromonte

Mirador de San Cristóbal

Ermita De San Miguel Alto

Soak up centuries of history at the Alhambra – no visit to Granada is complete without experiencing the jaw dropping Moorish palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance.

No visit to Córdoba is complete without seeing the stunning Mezquita, the Mosque-Cathedral. Wander through the distinctive double-tiered, striped arches of the interior before relaxing in the neighbouring Córdoba Patio de los Naranjos under the shade of palm and citrus trees.

Weave your way through the cypress trees, ponds and fountains on the grounds of the 13th-century Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos fort.

On the western edge of Córdoba, the Madinat Al-Zahra (or Medina Azahara) is a UNESCO-listed archeological site. Once a fortified palace, it dates back to the tenth century, and features colourful marble, intricate carvings and extensive gardens, all chosen to show the power and riches of the caliph.

Visit Malaga's Catedral de la Encarnación de Málaga, one of the best examples of Spanish religious art and architecture.

Uncover the life of one of the most influential artists of the 20th century in the Museo Picasso. Housed in a 16th-century palacio, the gallery is a work of architectural art in its own right.

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.

The city’s oldest fortress, Santa Catalina, at the north end of La Caleta beach, was built in the 17th century in a star shape. At the other end of La Caleta is 18th-century San Sebastián which was once used as a backdrop in a Bond film. Although San Sebastián is currently closed for renovations, it can be viewed from the beachfront.

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.

Journey back in time at the Museo Arqueológico de Sevilla (Archeological museum) and discover Roman relics and mosaics.

One of Spain’s largest fine art museums, the Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla boasts an extensive collection including works by Velázquez, Murillo and El Greco.

Stroll through the palm, orange and pine trees in Parque de María Luisa, a one-hundred acre park filled with fountains and colourful benches, as well as the impressive Plaza de España square.

Take a boat tour of Algarve's coastline and its pristine sandbar islands. Explore Ria Formosa National Park, a natural lagoon on the coast surrounded by protective barrier islands. Look out for resident birds like the white stork, little egret and spoonbill.

This large expanse of endless white sand is part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and it's widely considered one of the best beaches in the Algarve. You can only get here by boat and there are also pine forests and sand dunes to explore along with plenty of native wildlife to spot.

Explore Faro's walled Old Town with cobbled streets and stunning sea views. Don't miss the Bishop’s Palace and the 13th-century cathedral which, after climbing to the top of the tower, has the best bird’s-eye-view of the city.

Just an hour or so from downtown Lisbon by train, Sintra is a kaleidoscopic fairytale of architecture and lush forests amid the cooler mountains west of the city. The whole municipality is UNESCO World Heritage-listed and is a must-see day trip from Lisbon.

Housed in an impressive, architecturally futuristic building on the riverside, this new attraction is a multidisciplinary art and culture destination. You’ll find a range of exhibitions and installations – including a surprisingly engaging history of Portuguese electricity – as well as a large permanent collection of contemporary Portuguese art.

Board the sunshine-yellow Ascensor da Glória up to the small landscaped terrace viewpoint of Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. Enjoy a glass or two overlooking the spectacular panoramic views across the city.

Wander the grounds of Coimbra's UNESCO-listed University - one of the oldest in the world. The 
Biblioteca Joanina, the opulent baroque library is particularly worth a visit. 

Be sure to visit Coimbra's honey-hued cathedral, one of the finest examples of Portuguese Romanesque architecture dating back to the 12th century. The Cathedral includes the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament and the Chapel of St. Peter.

Stroll through the romantic Jardins da Quinta das Lágrimas. The beautiful Fonte dos Amores fountain is said to mark the place where Portuguese love-story protagonist Inês de Castro was famously struck down. 

Portugal's scenic train to "nowhere", the Linha do Douro is a remarkable railway that cuts through the Douro River valley. A Wes Anderson-esque carriage awaits that will transport you to the border's edge, for an experience that's all about the journey, not the destination. 

Sustainability is big in Portugal, which is reflected in the wine culture. Porto and the Douro Valley are famous for port and vinho verde, with vineyards for every taste. We love Symington Family Estates, a certified B-Corp working towards net zero, who run gorgeous quintas and wineries in the region with a focus on supporting the land and local communities. 

Featuring eight museums and exhibitions, WOW is a must-do. The Wine Experience will take you on a journey from vine to bottle, including a tasting at the end.

No visit to Santiago de Compostela would be complete without seeing its cathedral, the culmination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. The awe-inspiring structure was built and added to over the centuries, so it's a fascinating mix of archutectural styles, and it also houses sacred relics and important artefacts.

For a break from the city, head to the tranquil Parque de San Domingos de Bonaval. It's a perfect picnic spot, with gentle grassy slopes and mature trees, and provides a good vantage point for admiring the cathedral towering over the cityscape. Next to the park is the Museo do Pobo Galego, a Galician culture museum housed in a 17th-century convent.

This small city south of Santiago de Compostela makes for a great day trip. Stroll along the river or through the picture-perfect old town, or explore the Museo de Pontevedra. Its main collection explores Galician history, but the museum also owns the 14th-century Ruínas de San Domingos, a magical spot slowly being taken over by nature.

A world-class collection of modern art with permanent displays – including the must-see Guernica by Picasso – as well as temporary exhibitions.

Based on the former Spanish Royal Collection, the Museo del Prado is Spain's foremost national art museum, which displays European art from the 12th to the early 20th centuries. Here you'll find a sizeable collection of works by Spanish luminaries like Velásquez and Goya, as well as Titian, Ruebens, El Greco and Bosch – among a great many others.

Take a break from exploring and spend an afternoon relaxing in Madrid's most beautiful park, El Retiro. There's a mix of formal gardens, water features and wilder, woodier areas to explore.