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.

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.

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

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.

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.

To see one of Nîmes' most iconic Roman sites, you'll need to head out of the city proper. The Pont du Gard, an impressive three-tiered aqueduct spanning the River Gard, dates back to the first century AD. Visit the museum to learn how this marvel of the ancient world was constructed.

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.

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.