Leave the tarmac behind and head upwards – quite literally – to escape the heat it gives off during the summer months and, while you are at it, enjoy the feeling of having the world at your feet. If you love admiring the cities you visit from above, taking in the silhouettes of their landmarks and the charm of their rooftops, these hotels with rooftop terraces deserve a place on your favourites list. They are the perfect setting for making those wishes come true.

It has the kind of rooftop pool you could happily stay beside forever: a peaceful haven where you can cool off before or after a day of sightseeing. Or even halfway through — why not? Sercotel Granada Suites is located right in the city’s historic centre, at 25 Calle Párraga, making it the perfect place to take a break from exploring and escape the heat with a refreshing swim. Tempting, isn’t it? Then there are the views: lifting your head out of the water to find the rooftops of Granada spread out below you.

And it is not just the rooftops. There is the Alhambra, the Church of La Magdalena and the outline of the Cathedral, just a four-minute walk from the hotel — so close that it almost feels as though you could reach out and touch it. Beside it lies Calle Alcaicería and its shops. A little further on is Calle Elvira, lined with tapas bars. From there, the whole of Granada is yours to explore: the whitewashed houses of the Albaicín, the caves of Sacromonte, traces of Lorca appearing around every corner, and a rich Muslim and Christian heritage that fills the city with history. With so many surprises, Granada can seem almost endless.

When you return after bringing your adventures to a close, the four-key apartments at Sercotel Granada Suites will work their magic. With countless home comforts, they may even make you feel better than you do at home. This is what true relaxation after a day of exploring feels like.

If there is one thing people in southern Spain know, it is how to beat the heat. Córdoba may not have a beach, but it does have the rooftop terrace at Sercotel Córdoba Delicias, complete with an elevated swimming pool and a sun deck where you can work on your tan. There is also a bar, perfect for ending the day with a toast to everything you have experienced in the city.

Starting the day, however, is another matter. You may find it difficult to leave your room, and understandably so. Who would want to leave a place with almost everything they need to be happy? We say almost because breakfast is not served there; it is waiting for you in the restaurant. Varied, delicious and generous, it is the kind of breakfast you know when you start but never quite know when you will finish.

Eventually, you will tear yourself away, tempted by everything waiting for you beyond the hotel doors. Located at number 1 Calle Islas Chafarinas, Sercotel Córdoba Delicias is just a pleasant walk from the historic centre. Once there, let the Mosque-Cathedral, the Roman Bridge and Calahorra Tower, the Alcázar of the Christian Monarchs, the Jewish Quarter and its famous Calleja de las Flores, Plaza de la Corredera and the Palacio de Viana work their magic.

There is such a thing as being “right on the beachfront”, but when you step onto the terrace at Sercotel Rosellón, you feel a new expression should be coined: “right on the Sagrada Família”. The 360-degree views across the city from this rooftop are nothing short of spectacular. And the same can be said for its comfort and services: sun loungers where you can stretch out as though you had nothing else to do in life, a carefully considered design filled with stylish details that will make your Instagram feed look endlessly beautiful, and a varied menu featuring delights such as tuna tataki with vegetables, soy sauce and wasabi mayonnaise, or a truffled bikini sandwich with Iberian ham, cheese, rocket and truffle. Just remember to book before you go.

Sercotel Rosellón is located in the Eixample, and we know it may be tempting never to leave the area. After all, this district is home to must-see sights such as Passeig de Gràcia, Casa de les Punxes, La Pedrera and Casa Batlló. But Barcelona has plenty more to offer. Venture out to discover neighbourhoods such as Gràcia and Sants; wander through the streets of El Born, which somehow always seem to lead you to Santa Maria del Mar; experience everyday life in Barceloneta, the lively atmosphere of La Rambla and the wealth of culture housed in museums such as the MNAC, the CCCB and Barcelona’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

And don’t worry: when you return to the hotel, the Sagrada Família will still be there, waiting to be admired not only from the terrace, but also from some of the rooms, which offer all the comforts you would expect from a four-star hotel.

Is there anything better than swimming in the sea? We think there might be: taking a dip in a beachfront pool, with no crowds to disturb you and views across the Mediterranean. Of course, it all comes down to personal taste. If you prefer the latter, Sercotel Kalma Sitges and its rooftop terrace, the Sky Lounge, are where you’ll want to spend your summer days. Its pool with massage jets and sun loungers made for working on your tan are undoubtedly its best introduction.

If we could use only one adjective to describe this hotel, we would probably choose beautiful. From its façade to the smallest decorative detail, everything reflects impeccable taste. We could then add words such as refined, welcoming, thoughtful and elegant. Staying here guarantees the sense of calm we all long for when we travel.

And once you have found that peace, it becomes much easier to head out and explore the streets of this Mediterranean town with its unmistakable skyline. The Church of Sant Bartomeu is partly responsible for it, rising proudly beside the sea. You will probably fall in love with its fishermen’s cottages next and, if they do not win you over, its Modernist houses certainly will. Remember one name: Santiago Rusiñol. You will come across it whenever Modernism takes centre stage. And should you prefer to simply wander without a plan, with the sound of the sea in the background, Sitges is the perfect place for that too.