Iconic Western Europe

The vibrant city of Barcelona, with its lively culture and inviting outdoor spaces, preserves a rich history. Picturesque medieval lanes wind through the oldest part of the city, the Gothic Quarter, where remnants of the city’s Roman wall were uncovered. Its treasures include the neo-Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, the medieval Jewish district of El Call and the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria del Pi. In the evenings, diners relax in the Royal Plaza at restaurants along the elegant square’s perimeter.

Visitors flock to this spectacular haven for sun, relaxation and Mediterranean breezes. Remnants of past civilizations abound: the massive La Seu Cathedral in Palma was built over a mosque, and the Almudaina Palace was originally constructed as an Arabian fort. The picturesque village of Valldemossa invites long strolls and samplings of the island’s jellied breadsticks. Here, at the foot of forested mountains, a Carthusian monastery housed devout monks for 436 years. Composer Frédéric Chopin spent the winter of 1838 writing some of his best work in this tranquil setting.

The charms of Murcia lie in its embrace of its rural pleasures. Surrounded by farmland and fertile huertas , Murcianos are never at a loss for produce freshly plucked from “Europe’s orchard.” They, in turn, live by the patient cycle of the harvest, going about their days at a leisurely pace. The Moors founded the city in 825 and introduced a vast irrigation network for crops and for city use. They were expelled by Ferdinand III of Castile in 1243. Murcia province remained a vassal kingdom until 1812 and became an autonomous region of Spain in 1982.

Granada is a splendid canvas of Moorish architecture, rich Andalusian tradition and remarkable history. It was the last stronghold of the Moorish Nasrid dynasty, whose 250-year reign ended during the 1492 reconquest of Spain by Catholic monarchs. The grand Granada Cathedral is a soaring celebration of that victory; its Royal Chapel holds the tombs of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand, the celebrated pair who oversaw the triumph. Their magnificent fortress-palace, the Alhambra, was long the stronghold of Moors, and so offers a magnificent blend of Islamic and Christian detail.

A pivotal port city linking Africa and Europe, Tangier lies just nineteen miles across the Strait of Gibraltar from the Iberian Peninsula. Long coveted for its strategic location where the Atlantic and Mediterranean meet, numerous empires called it their own throughout history. The city’s vibrancy and multicultural air attracted all manner of artists in the late 20th century, including Henri Matisse and Paul Bowles. Tangier’s ancient, walled medina brims with the pleasures of Morocco, from intricate carpets and finely made slippers to fresh dates.

Cádiz lies on Spain’s breathtaking province of Andalusia and gained incredible wealth during the 18th century; riches from the Americas were unloaded here after the Guadalquivir River to Seville silted up. This scenic southern region is the home of the matador and world-class equestrian art. Seville, city of polyamorous suitor Don Juan, boasts plenty of its own glories. Its grand cathedral, Alcázar Palace and Tower of Gold were built from the coffers of Spanish kings, but its fiery flamenco defines its true spirit. It is best to ponder it all while sipping sherry at a bodega.

Lisbon has inspired explorers for centuries with its stunning setting at the Tagus River’s mouth. Its labyrinthine streets carry echoes of 16th-century navigators who sailed on the winds of the Age of Discovery. The city prospered greatly from its trade. And today’s streets are lined with the legacies of wealthy builders, including the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower, stunning works that introduced Manueline architecture. Savoring local cuisine and port wine are favorite pastimes here. On any evening, the strains of fado spill from clubs in the historic Alfama District.

Throughout Lisbon, fascinating monuments tell this proud city’s story. Along the riverfront, in Praça do Comércio, an equestrian statue at its center represents Portugal’s King José I, who capably rebuilt the city following the devastating 1755 earthquake. Among the most recognized of Lisbon’s monuments is the grand Monument to the Discoveries on the banks of the Tagus River, displaying statues of more than 30 contributors to exploration, whose bravery and spirit still shape the culture of this vibrant European capital.

Alongside Lisbon’s colorful buildings and bustling streets is a thriving culinary scene that is not to be missed. Street corner restaurants offer myriad dishes, from the classic bifana , a marinated pork sandwich, to the ubiquitous bacalhau , salted cod, a cornerstone of Portuguese cuisine that is featured in many forms, including savory pastries and stews. One of Lisbon’s most renowned dishes is the pastéis de nata , a delectable, flakey egg custard tart that is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven with a dash of cinnamon and can be found in pastry shops throughout the city.

Porto holds a place of great traditional importance. The town lends its name to the port wine produced in the region and throughout the nation. Located along a rocky embankment, the city boasts picturesque neighborhoods, fashionable restaurants and lively markets. Like Lisbon, Porto has a rich past; its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of narrow cobblestone streets brimming with romantic buildings spanning the centuries and a Romanesque cathedral. At the riverside, small barcos rabelos , boats once used to transport casks of wine, paint a charming scene.

The stunning Atlantic setting of A Coruña lends this historic city a wide-open feel. The Roman-era Tower of Hercules is a lighthouse that has been in continuous operation since the 2nd century. The coastal San Antón Castle once defended northern Spain from seafaring intruders. The city is known for the historic row of houses along Avenida de la Marina; these 19th-century buildings are fronted by white-glazed glass balconies that, viewed side by side, form a wall of white. The city’s bicycle-friendly promenade leads to the glass Millennium Obelisk monument and Orzán Beach.

The largest city in the Basque Country, Bilbao exudes culture and innovation. Famed for its stunning architecture, the riverside city is home to the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry, which has fast become Bilbao’s most recognizable symbol. The quaint streets that form the backbone of the Casco Viejo, or old town, are a maze of charming shops and bars with traditional pintxos —creatively presented small servings of bread, with delicious toppings. Bilbao's gastronomic scene also extends to upscale eateries—it boasts a number of Michelin-starred restaurants.

Capital of the Aquitaine region, Bordeaux is celebrated for its thoughtfully preserved 18th-century architecture. Together, its glorious buildings, many of them built on the wine trade, comprise the world’s largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, honored as a City of Art and History, Bordeaux is a “Little Paris” of beautiful boulevards, Gothic and baroque churches, and lovely parks and gardens. The towering spire of the flamboyant Basilica of St. Michael is visible from all over the city, while the city’s green spaces are a delight to explore on foot.

Stately mansions, restored houses and grand squares form the heart of Bordeaux’s old town. Among its treasures, the neoclassical Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux is the pride of the city. Another cultural gem, and a national monument of France, is the spectacular Cathedral of St. Andrew. In 1137, Eleanor of Aquitaine wed the future Louis VII in the cathedral when she was 13 years old. The elegant, 17-arched Stone Bridge is favored among the Bordelais for whiling away an afternoon and capturing views over the river, docks and the harbor.

Sail the Atlantic Ocean, divided in half, north to south, by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Longer than the Rockies, the Himalayas and the Andes combined, this underwater mountain range is the longest on Earth.