The defining symbol of Marseille towers on a hilltop 154 metres above the city, with the gilded statue of the Virgin Mary stretching skywards. The views from up here are simply stunning. Take the shuttle for convenience or embark on a just-under-an-hour-long hike up from the old port.

The chilling, heartbreaking exhibits of the Red Terror Martyrs' Memorial Museum are guaranteed to leave no visitor indifferent. Atrocities commuted during Mengistu’s Derg regime are laid bare, to be processed at your own pace or with an English-speaking guide. The museum operates on donations alone; entry is free of charge.

Wandering through Malaga’s Old Town is one of the best ways to get a feel for the city. The maze of narrow streets still follows the original Moorish layout — winding paths that offer shade during the heat and open into small squares lined with cafés, churches, and tapas bars. It's an easy place to get a bit lost in the best way possible. At its heart is Plaza de la Constitución, the city’s main square since medieval times. Nearby, Calle Larios is the grand pedestrian street — good for shopping, people-watching, or just walking under the seasonal lights and decorations. The area’s full of small shops, old buildings, and hidden corners that tell Málaga’s layered story.

In these lovely Gothic-Renaissance cloisters, an elaborate open-sided staircase spirals up to elegant galleries. The round tower alongside was part of the city’s Roman wall.