Barcelona

While initially a Roman settlement over two millennia ago, Barcelona has changed hands between the Visigoths, Franks and, of course, Spanish over the course of many centuries. The city really came into its own during the 19th century, where the industrial boom and renaissance of Catalan identity birthed the fabled architecture that stands today. Times were dark under the Franco dictatorship, who actively suppressed the Catalan culture and language, but the city recouped just in time for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics to showcase its rejuvenated vitality on the world stage.

Barcelona has a one-of-a-kind lure as far as major European cities go. Between the spectacular architectural legacy left behind by Gaudí and his contemporaries, medieval districts and stunning landscapes, the Catalan capital is picture-perfect. The art of eating well is no stranger to Spain, of course, and you’ll find everything from old-school tapas bars to gourmet restaurants on the cutting-edge of culinary creativity. Beyond the surface, you’ll discover a proud local heritage full of stories that’s been passed on for generations.

Both the pleasant weather all year-round and the initiative taken by locals makes Barcelona an ideal city for walking and biking. The metro and buses are convenient and inexpensive ways to move around the city, while taxis and other ride-sharing apps are also very reasonably priced as far as major European cities go. While the beaches aren’t exactly bustling during the winter months, the climate means Barcelona is an enjoyable destination around the calendar. While Barcelona has no shortage of exquisite wine and sangria typical to Spain, but make sure you dip into a glass of cava, a Catalan specialty.