Plaza de la Virgen (Virgin Plaza), Valencia (must see)

Some places in Valencia seem to pull people back again and again, and Virgin Plaza is one of them. The Cathedral certainly helps, as does the Basilica of Our Lady of the Forsaken, where locals have been paying their respects to the city's patron saint for centuries. Long before tourists arrived with cameras and ice cream, though, this was the site of Roman Valencia's forum. Today, its centerpiece is an elegant fountain, surrounded by benches, conversation, and the steady soundtrack of city life...

At the fountain's heart reclines Neptune, looking suitably relaxed for someone representing an entire river. He symbolizes the Turia, while eight maidens circle around him, pouring water from their jars to represent the region's historic irrigation canals. And if you happen to be here on a Thursday at noon, you'll witness something rather unusual: the Water Court. For centuries, farmers have gathered at the Apostles' Gate beside the Cathedral to settle irrigation disputes. It's one of the oldest continuously operating legal institutions in the world—a court where arguments about water rights have lasted far longer than most empires...

Then comes March, when the Fallas festival transforms the square into one of Valencia's most moving spectacles. During the Offering of Flowers, thousands of people dressed in traditional Valencian costume arrive carrying bouquets for the Virgin. Over the course of several days, those flowers are arranged into a towering floral display that turns the square into a fragrant explosion of color and devotion.

And once you've taken in the history, the traditions, and the people-watching opportunities, there are plenty of nearby terraces waiting to help you continue your research into Valencian culture. A glass of chilled horchata and a couple of sweet fartons should do the trick—strictly for educational purposes, of course...