Córdoba

This ancient city is in the Andalusian region of southern Spain, allowing you to delve into Spain's history from several thousand years ago when it was a part of the Roman Empire. Córdoba was a major Roman city, and many ruins and preserved Roman sites remain, including a 16-arch bridge spanning the Guadalquivir River.

Córdoba was a major Islamic center during the Middle Ages and has some incredible architecture from that time period, with the city's large mosque being the highlight. The mosque, known as La Mezquita, was built in the eighth century and later converted into a Christian church in the 13th century. Cordoba has a plethora of museums. The Museo Arqueológico de Córdoba exhibits the history of the city (and Spain) dating back thousands of years. An added attraction, the museum is on the site of Cordoba's ancient Roman theater. The theater has been excavated and can be visited on the museum's basement level.

• Best time to visit: From April to May
• Location: Córdoba, Spain