Lisbon is Europe's second-oldest capital (after Athens), once home to the world's greatest explorers. It is one of Europe's most soulful, captivating and picturesque capitals, built on a series of hills with scenic vistas from every angle. It is also the only European capital where the sun sets over the sea.

Cordoba was founded by the Romans and due to its strategic importance as the highest navigable point of the Guadalquivir River, it became a port city of great importance, used for shipping Spanish olive oil, wine and wheat back to Ancient Rome. As well as the unique mosque-cathedral, Cordoba's treasures include the Alcazar, the Calahorra Fort which guards the Roman Bridge, on the far side of the river from the Mezquita, and the ancient Jewish Synagogue, now a museum.

Seville lies on the banks of the Guadalquivir and is one of the largest historical centres in Europe, it has the minaret of La Giralda, the cathedral (one of the largest in Christendom), and the Alcázar Palace. Its treasures include Casa de Pilatos, Torre del Oro, the Town Hall, Archive of the Indies (where the historical records of the American continent are kept), the Fine Arts Museum (the second largest picture gallery in Spain), plus convents, parish churches and palaces.

Visit some of Mérida’s key Roman sights. Augustus founded the city in 25BC and the many reminders of this rule include the beautifully preserved Roman theatre. The Merida Roman Theatre is one of the most impressive of the ruins of this former colony of the Roman Empire. Together, these ruins, which include Guadiana Bridge and Merida Amphitheatre, form the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida.

Évora is the chief city of the district and capital of Alto Alentejo Province. Due to part of the town being enclosed by ancient walls preserved in its original state and, to its monuments dating from various historical periods, Évora is included in UNESCO's World Heritage list. It was known by the Romans as Liberalitas Julia, and vestiges from this period (walls and rooms) and the monumental imperial temple (Diana's temple), still remain.