The Most Beautiful Cities In The World
It’s indisputable that the world’s most beautiful cities are brimming with culture, history, architecture, and even staggering natural landscapes. Our cities are testaments to our greatest endeavors and where most people live.
As frequent travelers, we’ve been fortunate enough to have visited many of these places. We don’t claim to have been to every beautiful city in the world, but we have done our fair share of traveling across 100 countries and seven continents.
Europe
Innsbruck, Austria
Set in a deep valley flanked by the Nordkette mountain range, Innsbruck enjoys a sublime setting along the Inn River. It’s coined the “Capital of Alps,” and it’s easy to understand why once you set foot in the city. The mountains and nature are never far from the city, and a short ride on the Nordkettenbahnen takes riders high into the alpine.
It’s the only city where you can ski, explore a grand palace, window shop, and savor a strudel in one day. It doesn’t stop there, as there are so many amazing things to do in Innsbruck. It’s everything we love about Austria, all packed into a modern city and historic city.
We love the fact that you can be in a beautiful medieval old town and then, within minutes, be in the heart of the Alps with cowbells ringing and fresh Alpine air. Innsbruck has a bit of urban sprawl going on, and it can look a little dreary in the winter, but don’t let it distract you from the gorgeous “Altstadt,” or old town.
Florence, Italy
Florence (Firenze) is the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance. As it led the way to enlightenment, it was blessed with wealth, architecture, and art. Walking down the narrow cobbled stone streets, it appears as if little has changed with marble basilicas, dark chapels, gas lanterns, and enchanting frescos.
Centuries later, the city still brims with culture. It’s famous for its world-class cuisine, museums, art, and the surrounding countryside. The architecture in Florence pulls you in and begs you to get lost in its historic heart.
It’s also a great jumping-off point to many other fascinating Italian cities like Sienna and Lucca. If you want to venture all around Italy, I recommend going by train or renting a car. However, it’s a country we would not recommend a tour in other than hiring a local tour guide for a day.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam needs no introduction. The Dutch city is famed for quaint tree-lined canals, historic row houses, and a wealth of bike lanes. Due to strict ordinance laws, the dense city center has retained all of its historic row houses, and it remains easily walkable or bikeable. The first time you see the expansive bike racks and parking systems throughout the city is a real trip.
The city is a lot more than its historic homes. It’s the cultural capital of Europe with art, architecture, design, innovative restaurants, and renowned nightlife. However, in our opinion, there is no better way to take in the city than from a canal-side cafe with a coffee or a cold Amstel beer. Or you could do even better with a boat cruise.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Much like the Scottish accent, few cities lay on the charm as thick as Edinburgh. As two travelers who scoff at many of the classic cities around the world, we’ve always had a soft spot for the Scottish capital. Its historic center is littered with history, and there is always something new to discover. The city boasts a multitude of ghost tours that take advantage of the city’s darker stories.
However, there is a lot more to Edinburgh than its jumble of medieval buildings or the perfectly lined Georgian buildings. It has long embraced the arts and is home to many exciting art venues, comedy clubs, cafes, fine dining, galleries, rowdy pubs, museums, and restaurants. It’s brimming with class, tourist sites, and character, and I assure you there is no shortage of things to do in Edinburgh. We love this city!
Venice, Italy
Love or hate Venice, there is no denying its popularity. It is the most beautiful historic city on the planet, but tourists also besiege it. The sinking city is a network of 118 islands connected by bridges. Buildings here are old, and if you manage to escape the crowds, it feels like you’ve stepped back five centuries. After several separate visits, we decided that we still loved Venice. Our only gripe with the city is its rather appalling culinary scene for an Italian city, aside from the cicchetti and Spritz.
In our opinion, Venice is best in the shoulder and off-season. The canals of Venice are notorious for harboring a lot of waste, and in the summer, the smell can get pretty bad; however, in the cooler months, there are fewer tourists, less waste, and the scent is at bay. If you were to ask us, Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, except in the summer months. Check out more things to do in Venice.
Bergen, Norway
Scandinavian architecture is having a moment, and we’re here for it. There is likely no better place to find its inspiration than Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen. Its waterfront along an idealistic harbor is lined with wood row houses painted in many colors. As it’s Norway, the city contains many cafes and bars that brim with patrons indulging in the “Hygge” culture.
The Most Beautiful Cities in Asia
Istanbul, Turkey
Turkey’s most famous city is one of the most amazing in the world and, depending on who you ask, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and Asia. Istanbul bridges Europe and Asia and has long been the world’s crossroads. You can take a ferry along the Bosphorus and take a photo between two continents – where else in the world can you do that? It has long served as the crossroads between the two continents and thus has a fantastic amount of history, architecture, and culture.
Istanbul is a massive city, and even with three trips to the city, we have yet even to scratch the surface of what Istanbul has to offer. It’s the perfect place to stroll along the Bosphorus and enjoy the old buildings and beautiful mosques nearby.
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I went to Japan on a backpacking trip five years ago, and ever since, I have returned every year—sometimes twice in a year! Kyoto was the capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, and history is present throughout the city. Although this city has repeatedly been destroyed during wars, except WWII, it remains one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
There are over 2000 temples and shrines in the city, including the Instagram-famous Fushimi Inari-Taisha. In addition to the temple, 20% of Japan’s National Treasures are in the city, and 17 locations are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Kyoto is widely considered one of the most culturally significant cities in the world, and there are a million things to do in the city.
I spent five days in Kyoto last time, but you could spend two years doing something every day and still not uncover half of it. Japanese culture requires a lifetime to absorb.
Singapore
After coming from a far-off island away from the city, we weren’t sure what to expect from a two-day layover in Singapore. It’s known for being one of the most expensive cities globally, and not on par with other cities around Asia. Nevertheless, we arrived with open minds and open wallets.
Singapore is nothing short of unique from the rest of the world. Would you like to smoke in public and throw your cigarette on the ground? Too bad – it’s illegal. Want to feed the pigeons? That’s a $500 fine. Also don’t even think about walking around your house naked with the curtains open. You may end up in jail.
All these things may sound extreme, but to me, they come together to make it the most beautiful city in the world. Besides the crazy laws and fines, the city is known for its bustling hawker centers, 24-hour coffee shops, intense shopping malls, a famous nightlife scene, and vibrant public parks.
Busan, South Korea
Set on the seaside and backed by forested mountains, it’s easy to forget the scale of Korea’s second-largest city.
Busan is a port town at its heart, but a lot more than meets the eye will entice travelers. We booked tickets to find a more relaxed coastal city with a cosmopolitan vibe, and we found a lot more.
Busan, to our surprise, is a city that has something to offer every traveler’s taste. Most importantly, it’s a city almost untouched by international tourism.
The Most Beautiful Cities in South America
Quito, Ecuador
When I traveled to Ecuador three years ago, it was an eye-opening experience. I arrived in Quito at night with no knowledge of the city. As a solo backpacker on a tight budget, I barely scratched the surface; I knew I would have to return one day with Cameron and explore deeper.
In 2018 we found ourselves in the South American city again before traveling to the Galapagos and falling in love. It was an incredible Andean adventure, and we got to sink our teeth into Ecuadorian culture. I liked my time in Quito for the first time around, but I fell in love with it the second time.
We spent a few days chatting with local artisans, hopping into historic churches, and trying delicious Ecuadorian food. If you’re wondering where to stay in Quito and what to do, read on!
Cusco, Peru
Cusco is one of the most exciting cities in South America, and it’s because of its unique flavor. The Peruvian city is the most extended inhabited city in the Americas, and colonial buildings clash with old Incan architecture. In many cases, those colonial buildings sit on the foundations of the former Incan empire.
Cusco is both touristy and authentic. You’ll find a woman in traditional dress on her way to the market while another three attempt to ply you away to take a photo with them and their adorable pet llama for a few soles. Mass tourism has yet to ruin the vibe, yet you can easily find good food and a decent cappuccino. All of this takes place in the heart of the Andes and the gateway to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.
Almost every traveler to Peru makes their way to the city, and for good reason, there are so many great things to do in Cusco. After several days of exploring the city in June, we fell in love and hope to make it back someday.
Cartagena, Columbia
This South American city is regarded as being one of the most beautiful in the entire world. Located on the Caribbean Coast is this well-preserved 16th-century vibrant city. The old town is complete with cobbled streets and ancient colonial architecture. It’s a UNESCO-listed town with so many places to wander and enjoy the day.
Old San Juan, Puerto Rico
Old San Juan, “San Juan Antiguo,” is one of the most popular places to visit in Puerto Rico. That’s for a good reason—the old town is stunning. Old San Juan is the oldest settlement within Puerto Rico and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can wander for hours here, and that’s what we did—ducking into cafes, boutique shops, and delicious restaurants made for a great trip.
The Most Beautiful Cities in Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
If there is one city in the world I am dying to return to, it’s Cape Town. It’s a city too beautiful for its own good. One can get easily lost in the depths of nature and still have dinner at any sushi, tapas, or restaurant they want at night. There are so many things to do in Cape Town; optimizing your time there is hard unless you have a full year. We spent two months there and felt we barely scratched the surface of what the city has to offer.
We like to think we hit many of the tourist hot spots and could still delve a little deeper into the city. With activities like climbing the iconic table mountain to sipping some delicious Pinotage while overlooking the tip of Africa, Cape Town will enchant you. If you find yourself in a South African city, don’t tell me because I will be jealous, have fun!
Chefchaouen, Morocco
In northwest Morocco, situated in the beautiful Rif Mountains, is Chefchaouen. “Chaouen” as locals call it, is a small city renowned for its charming streets of blue. Besides the blue streets, Chefchauoen is a popular tourist destination for its hashish, grown prolifically all over the region.
We went to Morocco’s blue city to get away from the hustle and bustle of the bigger cities in Morocco. When we were backpacking Morocco, we had seen the photos online detailing all the shades of blue and just knew we had to get to this Moroccan town.
Chefchaouen is as impressive as it looks on the internet! Most people wander around and take photos in the town, but there is also some good hiking through the Rif Mountains. We arrived with plans for two days and spent a week wandering around, hiking in the mountains, and eating delicious Morrocan food. On our last night, we had a wild mushroom tagine foraged from the surrounding countryside that was sublime.
Swakopmund, Namibia
Traveling through Southern Africa, several stops are on every tour operator’s schedule. Places like Swakopmund, Vic Falls, and Cape Town. Swakopmund is the city in Namibia to be seen at ad one of the best places to visit in Namibia. It is a hip German town right along the Skeleton Coast. The city seems to hum with Namibians and tourists alike but still retains its sleepy coastal charm.
“Swakop” makes for a great base to stop and stock up on supplies, grab a cappuccino, and gather your bearings before you leave “comfortable” Africa. You can find old school German colonial architecture that looks out of place, and as much of Namibia, it is chock full of German tourists. There seems to be a serious draw for German’s to head to Namibia to live out their former colonial past, and I can see the big attraction, especially for Swakopmund.
The town has many old-styled German homes, a waterfront, pier, hip coffee shops, a craft brewery, and several hotels, and is worth spending a few days to enjoy Swakopmunds attractions. The main draws for tourists to the town are the various activities on offer. Everything from skydiving to sandboarding and quad biking are available for a very reasonable price.
Stone Town, Zanzibar
Zanzibar City is the capital of Zanzibar, and Stone Town is the beating heart of it. Whether flying in or taking the ferry, almost all visitors will pass through Stone Town while visiting Zanzibar, Africa.
Your first reaction may be to high tail it out of the city and to the nearest beach resort, but I encourage you to explore for at least a couple days. We entered the Kasbah expecting Stone Town to remind us of the medinas in Marrakech, but thankfully this was not the case. Instead, we were immersed in East African history with touches of European, Arabic, Persian, and Indian cultures.
There are so many spices and so much culture and history to be absorbed here. One of our favorite days in Stone Town would have to be the day people watched in a Zanzibar Cafe.
Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira is perched on a rocky outcrop with a medina that appears at any moment to be beaten back by the sea. Yet, after centuries of waves, it stands defiantly. The city was meant to exist, and the web of winding, narrow streets of white and blue have always been.
There is no shortage of things to do in Essaouira. It is distinctly it’s own with a history of contrasting influences from African, Arab, Spanish, French, Roman, and Berber. A laid-back hippy vibe permeates, a buzzing medina remains relevant to locals and tourists, while access to modern comforts is readily available. That wind is a distinguishing characteristic of Essaouira and is nearly constant. The city is known as the “wind city of Africa” and is famous for the numerous kite surfers seen off the coast.
It blows in cooler temperatures, pushing away the Moroccan heat and sand, keeping away the sun-chasers who head for Agadir resorts, and giving Essaouira more atmosphere. Adding Essaouira to any Moroccan trip itinerary almost appears to be a necessity. While traveling, we met Moroccans and travelers who referred to the charms of the wind-swept city.
Most Beautiful Cities in North America
Charleston, South Carolina
I first visited Charleston to see my best friend, who moved there after college with her boyfriend. She has since ditched her boyfriend but purchased a house in Charleston and doesn’t think she will ever leave. Why? The historic downtown sites between the rivers Ashley and Cooper. Thankfully, the city escaped significant damage from the civil war, so unlike other towns in the US, the buildings here are true treasures. For a large city, no tall buildings interrupt the skyline. Instead, this port city has plenty of churches, restaurants, trendy coffee shops, and colorful old homes.
New York, New York
On the ground, gritty New York may not be the most beautiful city, and there is no doubt plenty of ugly spots. Take a few rides on the New York subway, and you’ll see plenty of the nasty. However, there is no skyline more iconic than New York with its architectural feats, bridges, and Central Park.
It’s next to impossible not to be amazed by the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Flatiron Building, Grand Central Station, One World Trade Center, New York Public Library, Chrysler Building, and the Statue of Liberty — the list could go on. New York’s restaurants, bars, street food, museums, concert venues, art galleries, and neighborhoods are all world-class.
There is no shortage of things to do in the city that never sleeps. It’s a city that assaults your senses and paints a vibrant tapestry before your eyes.
To list all of New York’s accomplishments would be next to impossible, and it’s likely the most culturally significant city in the world. Spend some time in the town and will test you, and any true New Yorker will have cursed the ground beneath their feet.
New York is like nowhere else on earth.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver is one of the most beautiful and safest cities in the entire world. The city is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, rainforests, islands, wildlife, sweeping pine forests, wild waterfalls, and tons of bays. I haven’t even got around to Vancouver, the city itself!
The city is the ultimate playground for people of all ages; there are just so many things you can do and so many beautiful places to see that making a list like this is nearly impossible.
With Vancouver’s efforts in preserving the natural features of the city and its surroundings, it opens up a world of hiking, biking, skiing, and snowboarding to food and micro-brewery goodness no matter where you find yourself in this lush city of British Colombia. There are many activities in Vancouver, and it’s known for an active lifestyle, with sports a regular part of life. It’s also near one of the best ski resorts in Canada – yes I am talking about Whistler!
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a beautiful city well known across the country for its charismatic charm, breweries, grand estate, waterfalls, and the scenic Appalachian Mountains. When you add it all together, it makes for the perfect romantic weekend in the Smoky Mountains. Once we finally made our way to Asheville, we found a city ideal for couples. It’s artsy and full of nature, bug enough to make you feel like you’re in a city, but small enough, so it’s not hectic
Most Beautiful Cities in Oceania
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne is one of the most exciting cities to visit in Australia. The buzzing city has nightlife, a great food scene, festivals galore, and outdoor activities. It is tough to hate on the city and brings people in from all over the world. I will never regret booking a spontaneous flight to Melbourne years ago just to go to the prestigious Melbourne Cup.
People often make their way straight to Sydney to see the Opera House on their trip to Australia, but in my opinion, Melbourne is the better option as it has less of that big city feel.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Queenstown is a fantastic city/town in New Zealand’s South Island. It’s one of the most visited spots in the country and one of the main places everyone seeks to live in. The town sits on Lake Wakatipu and is surrounded by the Southern Alps. If you are lucky enough to score yourself a lakeside Airbnb rental, you’ll have uninterrupted views of ” The Remarkables,” the mountain range around the lake.
Queenstown is dubbed the adventure capital of the southern hemisphere and is where you will find a wide range of travelers getting an adrenaline high. Bungee jumping, paragliding, and canyoneering are all everyday things to do in Queenstown. The city also serves as a jumping-off point to the Milford Sound and Lake Wanaka.
There you have it! Our list of the most beautiful cities in the world! Any that we missed?
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