Iberian Peninsula and Morocco

Málaga distils three thousand years of Mediterranean civilisation into one of Andalusia's most compelling port cities, where the Moorish Alcazaba fortress surveys a modern waterfront of elegant promenades and sun-drenched café terraces. Do not leave without visiting the Museo Picasso — the artist was born here in 1881 — and ascending to the ruined Castillo de Gibralfaro for panoramic views stretching to the Rif Mountains of Morocco on clear days. Malagueta anchovies fried in olive oil and the sweet Pedro Ximénez-laced dessert wine are the city's defining pleasures. The shoulder seasons of April, May, and October offer perfect Mediterranean warmth.

Marbella is an elegant Costa del Sol destination where Moorish heritage, fishing-village charm, and Mediterranean glamour converge around the legendary Puerto Banús marina. Visitors should not miss savouring espetos de sardinas on the beach and wandering the orange-tree-lined plazas of the whitewashed Old Quarter. The best months to visit are May through June and September through October, when golden light bathes the coastline, temperatures hover in the mid-twenties, and the crowds of high summer have yet to arrive or have gracefully departed.

Tangier is Morocco's storied gateway between Africa and Europe, a city of Phoenician origins where a whitewashed medina, vibrant souks, and a cosmopolitan waterfront converge at the Strait of Gibraltar. Visitors should not miss savouring traditional pastilla in a rooftop riad and exploring the Kasbah's amber-lit ramparts at sunset. The ideal season to arrive is April through June or September through October, when mild Mediterranean temperatures and fewer crowds allow the city's layered beauty to reveal itself at an unhurried, luxurious pace.

Cádiz, founded by Phoenician traders around 1100 BC and a strong contender for the oldest continuously inhabited city in Western Europe, juts into the Atlantic on a narrow peninsula where honey-colored ramparts frame improbable views of open ocean and the sun sets directly into the sea. The old quarter is an intoxicating labyrinth of baroque churches, hidden plazas, and carnival spirit — Cádiz's annual February carnival is the wildest and most satirically sharp in Spain — while the tapas culture here, centered on fresh Atlantic seafood cooked with Andalusian simplicity, represents Spanish cuisine at its most elemental and joyful. Visit February for carnival or spring for gentle Atlantic breezes. Seville is ninety minutes inland by bus or rail.

Lagos is a historic Algarve town where the Age of Discovery began, set above golden limestone cliffs, sea grottoes, and some of Portugal's finest beaches. Must-dos include a boat tour through the Ponta da Piedade grottoes, eating cataplana and grilled sardines at a waterfront restaurant, and visiting the slave market museum. Visit May to June or September to October for warm weather without summer crowds.

Setúbal is Portugal's seafood capital at the mouth of the Sado Estuary, where the finest cuttlefish and sardines in the country are served within sight of the Arrábida Natural Park's dramatic cliffs and turquoise beaches. Must-dos include eating choco frito at the fishing harbor, swimming at Praia de Galapinhos, and dolphin watching in the Sado Estuary. Visit June to October for the sardine season and warmest beach weather.

Figueira da Foz at the mouth of Portugal's Rio Mondego boasts one of Europe's widest urban beaches and access to the UNESCO-listed university city of Coimbra just 40 kilometres upstream. Must-dos include sampling chanfana goat braised in wine, visiting the Roman mosaics at Conimbriga, and tasting flor de sal from the ancient Mondego salt flats. May through October delivers ideal Atlantic beach weather and the vibrant Santos Populares festivals.

Lisbon, Portugal's enchanting capital, stands out for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. Must-try experiences include savoring local dishes like bacalhau à brás and pastéis de nata at Mercado da Ribeira. The best time to visit is during the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the city is alive with festivals and events.