A port city found on Spain's southeastern coast, Valencia — even more than many other European cities — is a true mix of old and new.
If you're looking for a taste of days' past, explore Valencia's many plazas, or central squares, which often lead to other charming courtyards. Plaza de la Reina is one of the most picturesque, but pro tip: stroll through for Insta-worthy photos, but do some exploring down the side streets for better (and more affordable) dining options than the tourist traps.
For a more futuristic adventure, visit the City of Arts and Sciences, instead. It's a massive structure (which wouldn't look out of place belongs in a Star Wars film) with loads of activities, including the Hemisferic — which includes a concave IMAX Dome theatre in its 100+ metre sphered roof — a science museum, an arts palace, an aquarium, and the spectacular esplanade garden called the Umbracle.