Cadiz, Spain

Surrounded by endless beaches on the Costa de la Luz, Cádiz is an elegant seaport and also one of the oldest inhabited cities in Europe, having been founded by the Phoenicians circa 1100 BC. Playa de la Caleta and Playa de la Victoria are among the best beaches in Spain, and the city’s wealth of history and culture is equally appealing. The gates of Las Puertas de Tierra guard the ancient center of Cádiz, an enchanting array of distinct barrios like La Viña, the historic fisherman’s neighborhood, and Santa María, where the origins of the flamenco song developed. Be sure to experience the dramatic beauty of this art form at a local flamenco show. The region surrounding Cádiz showcases other traditional arts, such as the equestrian ballet of Andalusian horses and the crafting of sherry wine in Jerez de la Frontera. Just upriver, the grand architecture of Seville ranges from the 11th-century Alcázar royal palace to the 20th-century Plaza de España.