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.

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.

There are a number of beaches in and within easy reach of the city. Barceloneta is the closest to the city centre and both the most famous and most popular. There's plenty of beach volleyball and ping pong on offer, as well as places to find fresh seafood. Head to Nova Icaria if you're after something a little more sedate, with the same range of beach activities on offer on a smaller scale. For something altogether quieter, make your way north to Platja d'Ocata, a pristine, tranquil stretch of beautiful golden sand.

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

Spend a day relaxing on the vast, unspoiled beaches. Las Arenas is the most central and has beach-side bars, volleyball courts and a range of water-based activities like SUP and windsurfing on offer.

Malvarrosa beach is a little further up the coast and has a more local vibe during the weekdays. Patacona lies just beyind this and has the cleanest water of the three as it's further from the port.

Enjoy a night out in the trendy bars of the buzzing Russafa area - we’ll suggest our favourites.

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.

Originally an abattoir, the eye-catching building of Matadero Madrid now houses the city's most vibrant cultural centre. It hosts exhibitions, immersive experiences, art installations and much more – just the thing if you want to experience the city's alternative side. Visit at the weekend to catch the artisan food market.

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.

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.

Take a fascinating tour of a working sardine factory. Pinhais & Cia is housed in one of the city’s most beautiful buildings in the Matosinhos district, 15 minutes by metro from the centre of Porto.

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. 

Any rail enthusiasts should make time to visit Entroncamento, home to the Museu Nacional Ferroviário (National Railway Museum). You can see royal and presidential carriages at the museum, and learn more about the town's important role in the history of Portugal's railways – Entroncamento even means "junction".

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.