Donostia sits between hills around La Concha Bay, with Belle Époque architecture, famous restaurants, and a seaside vibe that makes it a killer day out. The Old Town (Parte Vieja) is your pintxo ground zero with narrow streets, tiny bars, and lots to try. East of there is the Gros neighbourhood with Zurriola Beach: waves, surf shops, and a youthful crowd. Across the bay are the more sheltered beaches La Concha and Ondarreta; Ondarreta borders the Antiguo neighbourhood, which feels quieter, leafier, with classic mansions, gardens, and a calm place to stroll.

The Museum of Science & Industry has something for visitors of all ages. The museum offers an array of hands-on activities, including lying on a bed of nails, exploring optical illusions, solving brain puzzles, and diving into a NASA-funded lunar colony simulation. You can also observe butterflies, enjoy a round of mini-golf, and gaze at the stars in the planetarium. Come with time to spare because you will probably want to spend the entire afternoon here.

In Toulon’s Old Town, there’s a statue of men playing cards—La Partie de Cartes. It’s a nod to Provence’s folklore and Marcel Pagnol’s classic plays, Marius and Fanny, which later became films. If you know them, you’ll recognise the scene—card games, banter, and all. Even if you don’t, it’s a fun spot for a photo.

This majestic building of Beit Sheikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa was once the seat of power for the ruling Sheikh, and it is one of the finest and best-preserved traditional Gulf buildings found anywhere. A marvel of architecture, the rooms are kept quite cool in the summer heat through an inventive system of draft towers. Though unfurnished, the meticulous decoration in the different rooms deserves hours of examination.