Nice's sweeping blue bay still enchants visitors with sun, sea and sophistication. Elegant boulevards, grand buildings, parks and floral displays give the city timeless charm, while the Promenade des Anglais offers a spectacular seafront walk. The old town, flower market on Cours Saleya, Italian influence, Russian Orthodox church, and Colline du Château views all add to Nice's allure.

Marseille, France's second-biggest and sunniest city, offers authenticity and cultural depth over Côte d'Azur glamour. A hub of museums and creativity, its highlights include Le Panier's flower-filled streets, Notre-Dame de la Garde, the zebra-striped Marseille Cathedral, and Palais Longchamp. Don't miss bouillabaisse, olive-oil soap, or Calanques National Park's cliffs, coves, and beaches.

Sete sits on a lagoon by the Mediterranean, with canals, the Canal du Midi ending here, and an August boating festival. Known as the Venice of Languedoc, it offers canal cruises, Mount St-Clair views, Chapel of Notre Dame de la Salette frescoes, fishing heritage, oysters and shellfish, beaches, golf, and nearby Aigues-Mortes and Carcassonne's fairy-tale citadel.

Palamos is a gateway to Costa Brava and Catalonia, with monasteries in the mountains, surreal art, and beautiful beaches. Its rugged coast of red cliffs, golden sands, and blue coves reflects Spain's Wild Coast, and it's known for rich prawns. Nearby Girona offers a walkable medieval old town, rivers, ramparts, and the vast Gothic nave of its cathedral. Close by, Figueres is home to Salvador Dalí's wild, immersive Theatre-Museum.

Alcúdia is the ideal base for Mallorca's north coast: a 13-km beach from Port d'Alcúdia to C'an Picafort, nearby Playa de Muro, the bird-rich S'Albufera wetlands, and the scenic drive to Cap de Formentor. The walled town is a small capsule of Mallorcan history: founded as a Roman settlement in 123 BC, later reestablished by the Moors, then held by the Knights Templar after the Reconquest. Start at the Church of Sant Jaume and stroll to Porta de Xara with its twin towers.

Malaga, on Spain's sunny Costa del Sol, blends beaches, history, and art. Visit La Malagueta beach, the old town, Moorish Alcazaba fortress, and the cathedral known as La Manquita. See the Picasso Museum and Pompidou Centre, plus street art in Soho. Nearby, explore Granada's Alhambra, Cordoba's La Mezquita, and Seville's cathedral for Andalucía's Moorish Golden Triangle.

Gibraltar is a unique British outpost on Spain's southern tip: a historic peninsula crowned by the iconic Rock of Gibraltar. It mixes red phone boxes, Union Jacks, fish and chips, and sunny Mediterranean views. From one moment you can see Africa across the strait; the next, cross the airport runway. The 400m Rock can be hiked or reached by cable car to see Barbary macaques, the Siege Tunnels, caves, and the Moorish castle. In town, Grand Casemates Square offers a lively, sunlit historic center.

Cádiz, Western Europe's oldest city, holds 3,000 years of history in cobbled streets and shaded plazas. Founded by Phoenicians c.1100 BC and later used by Columbus, it grew rich from New World trade. See the cathedral, with its twin towers, and Torre Tavira, the city's best watchtower. Relax on Playa Victoria, cross the modern Constitución de 1812 bridge, and sample tapas at the lively central market.

Portimão is a beachy paradise in Portugal's Algarve, with easy access to Praia da Rocha: a long, wide beach of soft golden sand, gentle waves, and dramatic rock formations. Stroll the boardwalk to nearby beaches, feast on sardines and local wine, and enjoy the sun-drenched coast, fishing villages, and tiled old towns. The Ribeirinha promenade leads to the beach, while Ponta da Piedade, Silves, and Lagos are all nearby.

Lisbon, Portugal's capital, is a beautiful city of seven hills, fado, pastel houses and azulejo tiles. Wander Alfama's steep cobbled streets, visit the Azulejo Museum, then head to São Jorge Castle or Miradouro da Graça for sweeping views over red rooftops, the Tagus and the suspension bridge. See Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, and take a trip to nearby Sintra and Pena Palace. Finish with ginjinha and a pastel de nata.