Puerto Chico is one of Santander's liveliest areas, with a waterside promenade and several curious statues. Once a busier port, Puerto Chico is still home to sea vessels coming in and out. Take a walk by the harbour and watch local fishermen arrive with the catch of the day. There are some good-value bars, restaurants, and cafés in the area. Many locals come here on the weekends for a meal or an evening stroll.

The Gala Dalí Castle in Púbol is a Gothic fortress transformed by Salvador Dalí into a secluded shrine for his wife and muse. Acquired in 1969, the medieval structure became a stage for their unconventional relationship — Dalí could only visit with Gala’s written invitation. He personally designed the interiors, blending Baroque furnishings with surreal touches: trompe l’oeil radiators, spindly-legged elephant sculptures in the garden, and celestial frescoes honouring Gala as a divine figure. After Gala’s death in 1982, the castle became her mausoleum (she lies entombed in the crypt) and Dalí’s final studio. Today, you can explore rooms frozen in time, from Gala’s lavish wardrobe to the artist’s melancholic paintings. Part love letter, part psychological portrait, it completes the “Dalí Triangle” alongside his Portlligat home and Figueres museum.

NDK is one of, if not the, most emblematic buildings in Sofia. Its name stands for National Palace of Culture, and if you’re strolling along Vitosha Boulevard, it’s only a short walk away. Locals gather in the surrounding park to skateboard, dance, relax at nearby cafés and enjoy sunny days whenever the weather allows. The building itself hosts concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions and many other artistic and cultural events throughout the year. If you’re arriving by metro, simply get off at NDK Station, which shares the same name, you can’t miss it.

Take a 1-hour journey to Figueres, the birthplace of Salvador Dalí, and step into his surreal masterpiece — the Dalí Theatre-Museum, designed by the artist himself. Constructed to replace an old theatre that burnt down during the Spanish Civil War, the building is a work of surrealist art, topped with giant eggs and crowned by a geodesic dome. Inside, it holds the world’s largest collection of Dalí’s works, from early impressionist pieces like Port Alguer (1924) to later marvels like Galatea of the Spheres (1952). Don’t miss the Mae West room, an upside-down bathtub fixed to the ceiling, or the glittering jewellery collection. The artist himself is buried in a crypt below the stage, adding a layer of solemnity to the whimsy. Book tickets online to avoid long queues, and allow at least half a day to fully absorb the labyrinthine galleries, optical illusions, and the sheer audacity of Dalí’s vision.