10 of the Most Beautiful Cities in the World to Visit in Your Lifetime
2) Chiang Mai, Thailand
Thailand boasts some of the world’s most vibrant cities and picturesque landscapes. The northern city of Chiang Mai gives adventurers a taste of both, as the former trading outpost is surrounded by vast mountain ranges. Take a day hike through the forest to the sacred Wat Palad temple complex and venture down the mount to enjoy the food and beverage scene right in the heart of the city. The Rose of the North also has a rising art scene with modern art galleries, such as the Gongdee Gallery, popping up throughout the city.
3) Paris, France
Just at a mere mention of Paris, scenes of style mavens fluttering through historic cobblestone streets past the Seine and pristine gardens come to mind. History can be seen on every corner with the city preserving its astonishing buildings and landmarks, which provide lessons on architectural styles of the past. Meanwhile chic boutique hotels, contemporary art and design shops, and award-winning restaurantscontinue popping up, cementing Paris’s role as a decorative and style leader.
4) Cape Town, South Africa
Shadowed by the magnificent Table Mountain and sculpted by the Atlantic and Indian oceans, Cape Town has all the bustle of a thriving city and stunning lures of nature. Spend the early hours learning about the region’s native flora at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden before seeing the colorful side of the city in the Bo-Kaap neighborhood. At night, enjoy cuisines from across the continent at the Neighbourgoods Market before retiring for the day at one of Cape Town’s world-class wellness retreats. A trip to Cape Town would not be complete without a stop at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa to discover the latest and greatest African artists.
5) Cartagena, Colombia
A joyous spirit erupts from every colorful Colonial-style home and lively street corner in Cartagena. The historic center of this Caribbean coastal city is surrounded by old city walls built by the Spanish between the 16th and 18th centuries. Within those limits sit several jaw-dropping attractions such as the Clock Tower and Santuario San Pedro Claver and delectable places to eat—like Portal de los Dulces, an entire street filled with sweet treats. Just south of the walled city, the Getsemaní neighborhood offers a more intimate experience with quaint cafés decorated in youthful murals by local artists.
6) Florence, Italy
7) Istanbul, Turkey
Opulence and ancient beauty meet in the gardens and ornate buildings of Istanbul. Connecting the East to the West, the Turkish city was captured by many armies, but it wasn’t until the Byzantine Empire that a distinct style was born. Lavish mosaics and frescoes covered churches and palaces—many of which have been preserved, like the Hagia Sophia. Once the Ottomans came into power, they launched a program to build imperial mosques, such as the Blue Mosque, and extravagant galleries. Many of these significant monuments remain in the city, giving visitors a glimpse into the world’s past.
8) Kyoto, Japan
A sense of history can be felt from the moment one enters the old capital of Japan. Bountiful branches of fragrant cherry blossoms serve as the backdrop for craft shops and bustling food markets. Kyoto’s food scene rivals that of any large bustling city in the world, with brilliant chefs putting modern spins on classic Japanese dishes and practices.
Kyoto is also home to more than 1,600 Buddhist temples and more than 400 Shinto shrines with the most famous being Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari Taisha, respectively. For a quiet break from the city, take an afternoon to unwind among the towering stalks of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove before paying respects at one of the golden temples.
9) Athens, Greece
10) Chefchaouen, Morocco
Nestled in the quiet Rif Mountains of Morocco sits a centuries-old city painting the landscape exhilarating shades of blue. The origins of Chefchaouen’s watery tones are a bit of a mystery. Some say it was Jewish communities settling into the medina during the 1930s who painted the buildings, but many locals claim the blue shades have decorated the town since its founding in the 15th century. Regardless of the reason, the soothing city offers a much more relaxed look at the history and lifestyle of Morocco.
