One of Europe's most visually stunning cities, Barcelona balances the medieval intimacy of its Gothic Quarter with the grace and distinction of the wide boulevards in the Moderniste Eixample. It was the home of architect Antoni Gaudí, whose Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Park Güell and Casa Milà are the most profound statements of Modernisme. View the splendid works at the Picasso Museum and the Miro Foundation, or discover Barcelona's passionate ambiance at a flamenco show.

Mallorca, also known as Majorca, is a wind-swept island with steep jagged cliffs and olive groves more than a thousand years old. Mallorca is an island of contrasts. To the south is a busy tourist area with hotels, bars, restaurants, shopping and dazzling night life. To the north are rocky valleys, sleepy villages shrouded in bougainvillea, and breathtaking views. Palma is dominated by the breathtaking Gothic Cathedral, located high above the waterfront on the site of a former mosque.

Valencia was founded by the Greeks and later ruled by Carthaginians, Romans, Visigoths, and Arabs. In the 15th century it became a center of art, producing notable paintings, sculptures, and jewels. Today it blends modern landmarks in the City of Arts and Sciences with historic sites like the 13th-century Cathedral, the Chapel of the Holy Chalice, the Quart Towers, and the Serranos Towers.

Cartagena is a Spanish Mediterranean city with more than 2,500 years of history. Each corner, street and square offers travelers monumental examples of its splendorous historical past. The origins of the city are shown at the Punic Wall, which marks the foundation of the city by the Carthaginians in 227 BC. Cartagena has been the capital of the Spanish Navy's Maritime Department of the Mediterranean since the arrival of the Spanish Bourbons in the eighteenth century.

Málaga, on Spain's Costa del Sol, is the region's capital and a popular holiday base. It is Picasso's birthplace, and his works are displayed in the Museo Picasso in the Palacio de Buenavista. Visitors can also sample sweet Málaga dessert wines from nearby hillside vineyards. The city is a pleasant place to explore and a common starting point for trips to Granada and the Alhambra in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Gibraltar, located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, overlooks the Strait of Gibraltar, known to ancient mariners as the Pillars of Hercules. Historically, Gibraltar has been an important base for the British Royal Navy. It is most famous for the geological formation, the Rock of Gibraltar and its tribe of Barbary Apes. Despite long sieges throughout its history, it seemed nothing could destroy the Rock or its people, leading to the phrase "solid as the Rock of Gibraltar."

Lisbon, said to have been founded by Ulysses as Olisipo, is one of Europe's most fascinating cities. A devastating 1755 earthquake destroyed much of it, and the Baixa was rebuilt in neo-classical style, now the city's heart. Overlooking the Tagus, the "City of Explorers" offers districts like Alfama, with Moorish lanes, and Bairro Alto, where you can hear Fado. Nearby are the palaces of Queluz and Sintra.

Tenerife's privileged setting allows you to enjoy beautiful beaches such as las Teresitas; admire the enchanting Orchid Gardens, founded in 1774 as a historic English garden, or visit the Teide National Park, the symbol of the island.

Discover Santa Cruz de La Palma: colorful buildings, 18th-century mansions, wrought-iron balconies with bougainvillea, dramatic volcanic mountains, green valleys, and a turquoise sea. Explore the star-shaped 17th-century Castillo de Santa Catarina, visit Moorish-influenced Iglesia de El Salvador for its stained glass, stroll O'Daly Street's boutiques and artisan shops, and enjoy fine Canary Island wine in a jewel-like setting.

Explore the Mendoubia Gardens which contain a fascinating banyan tree that is more than 800 years old. The Caves of Hercules are 9 miles west of Tangier in the Cap Spartel area; it is a place of great beauty and archeological significance.

You wouldn't expect to find a Spanish city in African territory with a historic military fortress, modernist architecture and a fusion of Mediterranean, European and African cuisine - but that's exactly what you'll find in Melilla. One of two autonomous Spanish cities on the Moroccan coast (the other is Ceuta, near Gibraltar), the enclave boasts a staggering architectural heritage. The preserved Citadel, also known as Melilla la Vieja, is a monumental complex consisting of four enclosures separated by a moat. A Gaudi apprentice named Enrique Nieto is credited with inspiring the city's collection of modernist buildings, a legacy of curved buildings with natural motifs you'll appreciate in the city's Golden Triangle.

Almería is thought to have inspired John Lennon's "Strawberry Fields Forever" and was also a filming location for "Lawrence of Arabia." Its top attraction is the Alcazaba, a huge fortress with sweeping views. The cathedral and Almería Museum are also worth seeing, and nearby you can explore the quiet Cabo de Gata-Níjar coast or head west to Roquetas de Mar.

There is something for everyone in Alicante. The historic Mediterranean port city is located in renowned Costa Blanca, within the region of Valencia. From outdoor cafés to white-sand beaches to museums that house rare masterpieces, this town has everything one would expect of a Mediterranean escape. Be sure to visit the picturesque town of Guadalest, one of the most unique destinations in all of Spain.

One of Europe's most visually stunning cities, Barcelona balances the medieval intimacy of its Gothic Quarter with the grace and distinction of the wide boulevards in the Moderniste Eixample. It was the home of architect Antoni Gaudí, whose Sagrada Familia Cathedral, Park Güell and Casa Milà are the most profound statements of Modernisme. View the splendid works at the Picasso Museum and the Miro Foundation, or discover Barcelona's passionate ambiance at a flamenco show.