The Most Beautiful Cities of this World
This world is full of beauty for the looking eye. No matter where we go or where we end up, there is some beauty to be found. And by the time you finish this article, you will have gone through a list of some of the most beautiful cities of this world.
1. Florence, Italy
One of Italy’s most beautiful cities. It particularly distinguishes itself from other Italian cities by its raw, original beauty with a host of stunning historical landmarks.
Piazza Del Duomo
Piazza Del Duomo is the best place to begin exploring in Florence. It is a public square full of life-like marble statues and intricate pillars.
Michelangelo Piazza
Do you want to see Florence from above? The Piazzale Michelangelo is the perfect place!
It was built on the hills to be a popular destination for visitors. Especially during sunset when the sun colors the city with all shades of orange.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore
It dominates – as one of the biggest churches in the world the horizon of Florence. Florence Cathedral is covered with colored marble and couple with famous pointed dome separating it from most churches.
Palazzo Pitti
Palazzo Pitti has now become the biggest museum of Florence. It used to be a residence of the Medici family, the reason why it was filled up with paintings and treasures.
Boboli Gardens
The huge public park that in essence, inspired most court designers in Europe.
2. Saint Petersburg, Russia
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A city that was built to be beautiful, to rival the best cities of Europe. Saint Petersburg once was a vast area of swampland but the Russian tsar Peter the Great wanted to compete with France’s Paris.
He indeed built one of the most beautiful cities in the world, it was inspired by Paris but in reality, it grew an identity of its own.
Distinguished by the many islands that divides it to be considered more of an Eastern Venice before the bridges were built on the Neva. Nowadays, these bridges rise after the sunset to allow ships to pass throw giving the onlookers a spectacular show of night lights.
3. Bruges, Belgium
While it used to be the main seaport of the Flanders province of Belgium and its shoreline has moved with time.
The capital of Belgium has kept its heritage as a canal city to this day.
Boats can offer a different point of view for the classical buildings and houses that still stand at the water edge.
4. Kyoto, Japan
Formerly the capital of Japan, until the first shogun replaced it with the newly built Tokyo. Still, it’s kept its prestige as one of the most beautiful cities of eastern Asia.
The most beautiful place to visit are:
Gion district
Tourists can also find something out of a time capsule in the district; While the quarter itself preserved its authentic old buildings, it also has to this very day real geishas in full custom and make-up from Edo period that might let take a photograph of them.
Ryoan-ji Garden
Kyoto has hundreds of temples and shrines and many, many gardens especially, whose beauty lies in its intricate paths forming a calm maze.
Nijo Castle
Old imperial mansions that used to be resided by the elite of Japan’s nobles, with the colossal as the crown jewel where the rulers took residence when they visited the city.
5. Prague, Czech Republic
The capital and the largest city of Czech Republic. Nicknamed “the city of the thousand spires” for the countless landmarks of all kinds spread across the city. The medieval air still breathes through it with a bohemian smell that gives it a unique flavor of mystic and magic. The classical music written by its superb musician can be heard still in the night.
This can be specially felt around the Astronomical Clock; a massive clock tower that’s been working for 600 years, showing on-lookers time, the moon phases and time between sunrise and sunset among other marking ahead of its time.
Other significant historical places to check out are:
The Powder Gate
It is the part that remained from the old walls. This place used to be storage for gunpowder.
Charles bridge
The icon of the city, connecting it to the castle that also carries the city name by 500 meters of medieval stone in an arch decorated with various sculptures.
6. Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities of Africa. It is one of the destinations of surfers as they come from all over the world to enjoy the foamy waves in front of golden beaches.
The city famous destinations are many, such as:
The Table Mountain
Considered one of the city symbols. It is where trekkers and tourists can either go up the trail to the table-like summit (hence its name) by foot or use the cars cabled to the peak to enjoy the spectacular view.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden On one hand this is a home of thousands of flora alongside its vineyards in Cape Wineland. And on the other hand, Cape Town is also rich with raw virgin nature from large hills to penguin coastal colonies in Simon’s Town and seal island of Hout bay.
7. San Francisco, USA
San Francisco is also known as the city of 43 hills. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities of the US because of a mixture of artistic beauty with coastal allure thanks to the bay surrounded by the city buildings.
The bay gives back through some of the most famous landmarks around the world such as:
Golden Gate Bridge
A 3 kilometers in length of suspended road. The name ‘Golden Gate Bridge‘ came from the golden strait beneath the bridge.
The Fisherman Wharf
Famed for its Pier 39 that serves as one of the major entertainment hubs of San Francisco.
The pier fame attracted other landmarks like the wax museum and a San Francisco National Historical Maritime Park. There is also the unique Lombard street down the hills and ever present in movies depicting San Francisco.
Chinatown
Chinatown in San Francisco can teleport you suddenly outside of the place and time. It is the largest Chinatown outside of Asia with lot of things to do and see.
8. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
The capital city of brazil formerly, until the foundation of Brasilia. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the continent.
The UNESCO included Rio as heritage site to be the first World Capital of Architecture. This wasn’t only for the natural aspect of its beauty but the interaction between urban expansion and planned green spaces.
Some of city landmarks are:
Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer)
The largest statue of Jesus Christ in the world watching over Rio as people like to call it. it has a church inside where visitors can usually witness weddings ceremonies.
Rio Carnival
Rio carnival welcomes more than 2 million people every year. This makes it the biggest carnival in the world.
Sambódromo
A long path surrounded by seats allowing to tens of thousands of people to watch the samba schools of Rio to showcase their talents in exotic customs.
9. Hong Kong, China
The Pearl of the Orient is one of the best destinations for luxury shopping. The home of a spectacular skyline mixed of skyscraping cement forests with staggering mountains.
Hong Kong is so full of energy from the crowded downtown that makes you wonder how it functions. Hong Kong is full of destination for sightseeing such as;
The Old Shrines and Temples
Firstly, the Wong Tai Sin Temple; One of the biggest temples outside of the city. Secondly, the huge Buddha statue near the monastery of Po Lin in Lantau island. The visit to the statue is intertwined with mesmerizing scenes from the top and can be combined with a visit to a close-by fishing village on the island. And finally, many other shrines around the city and its countryside.
More urban landmarks of Hong Kong are:
Temple Street Night Market
Where everything can be found i.e.; Exotic foods to trinkets and souvenirs to jewelry coupled with gemstones.
Lan Kwai Fong
And last but not least, Hong Kong’s dining heart, Lan Kwai Fong. It has so many restaurants serving every taste and taste to the brim.
10. Sevilla, Spain
Sevilla is especially famous for its religious mixture of history.
The capital of Andalucía province of Spain is so ingrained in history it leaves a magic touch upon its visitors as they walk its cobblestone or take carriage rides through its stunning atmosphere from monuments such as:
Catedral de Sevilla
One of the largest churches in the world with high towers that were Islamic minarets previously built by Moorish rulers of the city, who also designed the Real Alcazar as a fortress. Subsequently turned to a palace by architectures of King Pedro filled with splendid decorations and lavish ceilings.
Alleys of Barrio Santa Cruz
Used to be a Jewish ghetto formerly in the medieval ages.
It is located between the Catedral and the palace. Unique for its cozy pathways, albeit narrow, made of stone reaching cafes and museums.
Plaza de España
An immense plaza of 50.000 square meters between old buildings mixing renaissance and Moorish styles seamlessly.
As can be seen in the center of Parque de María Luisa, it is full of palms, oranges and other Mediterranean trees.
11. Singapore, Singapore
Singapore is eventually reached the heights of mega cities and one of the most beautiful cities in southeast Asia in the meantime.
At the same time, it has kept its beauty untarnished with shallow modernization like other megacities around the world.
While it is considered a garden for the world’s wealthiest thanks to its undoubtedly sheer wealth, luxurious hotels, and massive malls. Visitors can still feel the history and the mosaic of mixed ethnic groups the city consists of living in harmony. The city has many landmarks to show off its location and futuristic nature, for example:
Marina Bay Sands
A high-end resort that includes a museum for art and science, and also observation deck in a real ship topping the extravagant hotel offering an unforgettable view of the city.
The Gardens by the Bay
Not far from the resort; where land was turned into lush garden full of life.
If tourists wanted wild experiences here, there are Safaris and a bird park to fulfil that.
12. New York, USA
The Big Apple, basically, the embodiment of the urban life and to many, New York is, no doubt, one of the most beautiful city in the world.
Evidently, if someone wants to see the complete experience of cosmopolitan life, then this is the destination.
New York has a lot to offer, like:
Museums
Its museums collect life displays; From the ancient life on this planet in the American Museum of Natural History firstly. Then the trails of civilization and ancient empires in the Metropolitan Museums of Art.
Eventually reaching the finest contemporary masterpieces of these days in Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and it is just one side of the ultimate city.
Statue of Liberty
The icon of the nation and the symbol of the American dream.
The Times Square
Where there is always something to do. Plenty of performers and musicians are showing their talents to crowds from all over the world.
Not to mention food trucks offering all kinds of mouth-watering street foods. And not far from there stands the theater district in addition to Madame Tussaud’s wax museum.
The Empire State Building
Another icon of the city, joined by hundreds of shops of all sized that has everything one might think of.
Central Park
Last but not least, the Central Park in New York contains many gardens and attractions i.e. The conservatory Garden, the Chess and Checkers House, and a zoo with sea lions and penguins and a historic carousel.
13. Cartagena, Colombia
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Cartagena is a small city on the shores of the Caribbean Sea and the pacific ocean, full of charm and cozy beauty.
The city of Cartagena has kept its European roots due to favoring the history over tall buildings and cement.
The old city restoration allows its former glory to be glimpsed in the present. This is what really brings the past in fromt of the visitors.
This old part of Cartagena is full of unique experiences and attractions, such as:
The Walled City
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It was rebuilt to show slender alleys subsequently leading to plazas full of cafes, restaurants, and wandering musicians. And a later ride through the streets in a romantic horse carriage is always welcome.
Coupled with nocturnal walks around the Getsemani neighborhood which comes to life at night to offer the authentic Colombian atmosphere. However, there are few more things to know before visiting the Walled City in Cartagena.
Catedral Santa Catalina
The colorful spire of lights atop the Catedral Santa Catalina lead to the mazy tunnels underground slithering under the fortress.
The fort of San Felipe de Barajas
A triangular fort built by the Spanish empire, still deemed one of their best fortresses ever.
And finally, the many possible destinations for food lovers. 🙂
On one hand offering gourmet food in the likes of Mardeleva Restaurant. And on the other, the best street food in the Plaza de la Trinidad.
14. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is is a city full of art, life, and romance.
It sums all of Argentina and together with Rio in Brazil are the most beautiful cities in the continent.
Buenos Aires consists of 47 neighborhoods, each one of them is different and has its character and unique feeling. The city center reminds visitors of Paris and tall high-rises intertwine with classical buildings of the 19th century. It’s a city is full of places to go, such as:
The Plaza de Mayo
Where many of the pivotal events of the country took place during different eras. And the pink Casa Rosada when presidents used to talk to the crowds.
Café Tortoni
A 160 years old café and also a center for passionate Tango dancers from the National Tango Academy next door.
La Boca colorful buildings and home of the Caminito open-air museum and additionally, a market of art since the 1950s.
This café tourists can find all kinds of artsy souvenirs and hidden gems of local artists.
15. Vancouver, Canada
Although it’s the largest metropolis on the Canadian west coast its beauty comes from the vast nature surrounding it.
Vancouver is certainly one of the most beautiful cities of the northern hemisphere.
Do you know more beautiful cities? What other cities you think deserve to be on this list? 🙂
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