The Palacio Real de Madrid — the official residence of the Spanish royal family in the city — is Europe's largest royal palace, boasting a whopping surface area of 135,000 square meters and a staggering 3,418 rooms. This architectural marvel is not only visually stunning, but also features spectacular outdoor gardens and exquisite frescoes, furnishings, and paintings within its walls. Originally constructed in 1764 as a replacement for the Alcázar castle, which had been destroyed by fire three decades earlier, this magnificent edifice is a must-see attraction for visitors to Madrid. Nearly the entire palace is open to the public, including the Armoury and Pharmacy.

Casa di Giulietta is a 14th-century Gothic house linked (mostly by myth) to Juliet from Shakespeare’s play. The name similarity between the real Dal Cappello family and the fictional Capulets kicked off the connection. Inside, there’s a small museum and a stone balcony—added long after Shakespeare's time—which draws a steady stream of visitors. The courtyard gets packed, but there’s something fun about the whole scene—even if you know it’s more story than history.

On the picturesque shores of the old mill pond in Storebro, approximately 12 kilometres south of Vimmerby, stands the monument 'Visans Skepp' (Ship of Songs). Built between 1978 and 1988, this unique monument comprises 20 rune stones, ranging from 1.8 to 3.4 metres in height. Each stone bears inscriptions of 40 of Sweden's most beautiful songs from the 20th century, creating a harmonious celebration of the nation's musical heritage against the backdrop of Storebro's historic industrial landscape.

Built into the hillside at the end of the 1st century BC, this Roman theatre was restored in the 1800s. The ruins give a sense of how grand it once was. Nearby, there’s a small museum with local artefacts and statues. Don’t miss the view from up here—it’s one of the nicer spots to look out over Verona.