Longitude: 0.0° E
When to go: June to August
Designed by Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill in 1968, La Muralla Roja is a postmodern apartment complex in Calpe inspired by the architecture of North African casbahs. “The Red Rampart,” as the name translates, is a fabulous study of geometric forms with interlocking stairs, platforms, and bridges, making it feel like something out of an Escher drawing—only brought into wonderful, colourful life. Its jagged silhouette reflects the neighbouring rocky cliffs and the choice of colors—pink, red, blue, burgundy, and terracotta—complement and contrast with the landscape. The building has many apartments that are available as holiday lets, so get booking to make the most of the modernist aesthetic.
Longitude: 0.0° E
When to go: Weekends
Salvaged signs and glowing lights take up every inch of space in Walthamstow’s own version of Vegas, God’s Own Junkyard. The creator of the self-proclaimed junkyard, Chris Bracey was nicknamed the “Neon Man” when he first started working with neon making signs for Soho’s clubs, and later creating props for Hollywood. Now, former props, disco balls, retro signs, and more line the floors and walls of the neon wonderland. There’s also an on-site café, The Rolling Scones, which offers guests a chance to grab a beer or a sandwich and enjoy the pink glow of the neon.
Longitude: 0.4° E
When to go: All year
Think pink and book a stay at Eaton House Studio, where the interior acts as an ever evolving art piece. Filled to the brim with quirky decor and eccentric touches, it’s also completely covered in flamboyant pink. The house is owned by best friends James Lloyd-Roberts and Amy Griffith, who spent four years transforming it.
Longitude: 1.0° E
When to go: May to late September
Located a little over an hour from London, Whitstable is a quintessential English seaside town. It’s famous for its fresh oysters and eclectic thrift stores, but the real treats are the pastel-painted shopfronts and bright beach huts.
Longitude: 1.3° E
When to go: April to September
Oh, we do like to be by the seaside! Dreamland Margate is an amusement park based on a traditional English seaside funfair and features a Grade II* listed rollercoaster as well as a roller disco, traditional arcades, and live music festivals. Grab your cotton candy and enjoy the retro vibes.
Longitude: 1.1° E
When to go: Whenever you can book
A house designed by Grayson Perry was always going to be a little wild. His House for Essex, which looks like a cross between a chapel and a gingerbread house, is based on the concept that it is a shrine built by a husband to his wife after the wife has a tragic accident. The building, clad in two thousand green and white tiles handmade by Perry, is full of little Perry-esque quirks.
Longitude: 1.4° E
When to go: June to September
Nicknamed the Pink City for its unique architectural style, the city of Toulouse is rich in history, but known for its color. Built with mostly reddish-pink clay bricks and tiles, nearly all of the buildings have taken on a rosy glow.
Longitude: 1.1° E
When to go: June to August
While these tiny houses may look cute and pretty, their message is big: artist Richard Woods wanted to encourage people to think more carefully about the social implications of multiple-home ownership. The series of cartoonish, colorful bungalows were installed in unusual locations, including on the beach and on a floating platform in the harbor. The striking houses were built for an arts festival but were so popular that the local council decided to keep a couple forever.
Longitude: 2.2° E
When to go: May to July and September to October
Like walking into a kaleidoscope, color lovers will adore the vibrant stained glass windows in Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished Sagrada Família. The architect said that color was the expression of life, and you really feel it as you explore the inside. Construction started in 1882, and is still ongoing, with the latest date given for completion as 2026—the centenary of Gaudí’s death. Climb up one of the towers for a great view of Barcelona, and visit at sunset to see the stained glass windows taken to another level.
Longitude: 2.1° E
When to go: September to October
With its curved façade, organic style, and skeletal qualities, it’s no surprise that Casa Batlló is often referred to by locals as “Casa del Ossos” or “The House of Bones.” Directly inspired by the sinuous shapes and colors found in plants and nature, Antoni Gaudí covered the building’s exterior in thousands of pieces of lustrous glazed ceramics and glass. A must-visit for anyone’s trip to Barcelona.
Longitude: 2.0° E
When to go: September to October
Situated on the site of a former concrete factory, Walden 7 is an apartment complex in Barcelona designed by Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. Made up of eighteen towers and seven interior courtyards, the building was created with an enhanced quality of living in mind. And what is proven to improve mood? Color, of course. Just imagine a game of hide-and-seek here.
Longitude: 2.1° E
When to go: May to October
Designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the Palau de la Música in Barcelona features ornate details throughout the interior of the building. There are two showstoppers inside the opera house—the central skylight, which lights up in the sunshine, and the tall pillars, covered in colorful and intricate mosaics.
Longitude: 2.1° E
When to go: May to October
Designed by famous artist Antoni Gaudí, Park Güell was originally meant to be a private residential estate. However, the plans never quite worked out and the park was turned into a public space instead. With striking views of Barcelona and elaborate mosaics lining benches and structures in the Monumental Core, it’s full of interest and intrigue—and possibly the most famous lizard in the world.
Longitude: 2.3° E
When to go: For a spot of lunch
Make it to the top of Sacré-Cœur and you’ll be treated to the charming village of Montmartre as a reward. Roam the cobbled streets and you’ll find this pretty-in-pink maisonette, a French bistro, opened by Germaine Pichot in 1905. La Maison Rose was a hotspot for artists, including Picasso, Modigliani, and Edith Piaf.
Longitude: 2.3° E
When to go: Avoid February, June, and September due to changing exhibitions
Centre Pompidou, designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, was the first major example of an “inside-out” building in architectural history. Look closely past the seemingly colorful exterior and you’ll see the building’s structure, mechanical systems, and circulation exposed in color-coded format. Head there for lunch, art, music, and more.
Longitude: 2.6° E
When to go: May to early October
Founded in Roman times, Palma de Mallorca is a treasure trove of history and beauty. The Gothic cathedral, which was first refurbished by Antoni Gaudí and then by painter Miquel Barceló, looms in the background of pastel-colored city streets, while bright green palm trees line the promenade, giving the city a true Mediterranean vibe.
Longitude: 3.0° E
When to go: May to early October
A beach may be a beach, but when it’s surrounded by fluorescent turquoise water, it’s definitely something more. The Balearic Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean, is made up of crystal clear water that sparkles when the sun hits it and washes over untouched white sand beaches.
Longitude: 4.0° E
When to go: While the kids are at school
This basketball court by Katrien Vanderlinden was designed to bring a colorful facelift to a rundown space between a school and a relief center for young refugees. The geometric design was based on a children’s mathematical reasoning game known as “Logical Blocks” and is made up of irregular squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles.
Longitude: 4.5° E
When to go: Mid-march to mid-May
Flowers bring happiness, and if you visit the gardens at Keukenhof in The Netherlands in April or May, you’ll be able to harvest your quota of happiness for the year from the millions of flowers in bloom. Found just southwest of Amsterdam, in the normally quiet town of Lisse, Keukenhof receives around one million visitors in the three months it is open each year. In the fifteenth century the land was mainly hunting grounds, but the gardens also grew herbs for the Countess of Hainaut’s castle; hence the name Keukenhof, which translates as “kitchen garden.” In the nineteenth century, then owners Baron and Baroness Van Pallandt hired the landscape architect Jan David Zocher and his son, Louis Paul Zocher, to redesign the grounds surrounding the castle. But it was in 1949, when a group of bulb growers came up with the idea to use the grounds to exhibit spring-flowering bulbs, that Keukenhof as we know it today was born. Today, the gardens and four pavilions are open to all (just stay on the paths) and show seven million tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, orchids, roses, carnations, irises, lilies, and more. A new theme is set each year, so expect to discover a new look on every visit as well as experiencing a feast for the eyes, nose, and ears.
Longitude: 4.4° E
When to go: May to October
There’s something slightly disconcerting about these tilted cube houses situated in the center of Rotterdam. Designed by Dutch architect Piet Blom, the design is a variant of the cube house that Blom previously designed in Helmond but in a slightly larger size. Known locally as “Blaakse Bos,” the complex consists of thirty-eight cube-shaped houses, built between 1982 and 1984. Each house was built in the shape of a tilted cube on a pole, replicating the visual nature of a tree house and bursting with a zing of canary yellow at the top. The arrangement was initially inspired by Le Corbusier, who often designed with columns so that the space underneath remained public. The walls and windows of each building are angled at a precise 54.7°, providing spectacular views of the surrounding area. This does have the slight downside of meaning that only a quarter of the space inside is actually usable—oh well, you suffer for art!
Longitude: 4.5° E
When to go: May to October
One of Rotterdam’s most famous buildings, this huge indoor market hall is known for its extraordinary ceiling. It’s so impressive, it has been nicknamed the Dutch Sistine Chapel. Artists Arno Coenen and Iris Roskam created it from over four thousand digitally printed panels that depict brightly colored fruits, vegetables, and flowers in a kaleidoscopic, larger-than-life artwork. Once you’ve finished looking up in this gourmet paradise, you’ll find over one hundred food stalls, shops, and restaurants serving foods from around the world. Tuck into delicious Dutch cheese, Spanish tapas, and Italian ham on your culinary wanderings around the hall. Markthal is also home to more than two hundred apartments—perfect for foodies who can look down at the food stalls below for inspiration of what to cook for lunch.
Longitude: 4.8° E
When to go: March to May
If you’re looking for a place to stay near Amsterdam, there’s nowhere quite as quirky and vibrant as the Inntel Hotel. Yes, this place really does exist. Designed by Dutch architects WAM, the iconic green wooden houses of the Zaan region were the inspiration behind the hotel’s stacked house aesthetic. Made up of almost seventy individual houses spread over eleven floors, the structure includes various examples of typical Zaan architecture, ranging from a notary’s residence to a worker’s cottage. While most of the building is painted in four shades of the traditional green of Zaandam, one building on the top floor of the hotel is blue. Why? Because Claude Monet once lived in the city and painted a blue house with a blue fence. So the architects included this cultural reference. They envisaged the hotel as a temporary home for guests, a “home away from home” and a place to merge the past and the present. The impressive mix of design and heritage makes this an impactful place to visit, even if you’re not staying the night.
Longitude: 4.6° E
When to go: All year, but flamingo numbers are best in winter
It comes as a surprise to many that there are flocks of flamingos to be found in France. But then, the Camargue is unlike many other places in Europe. Wide, watery, and flat, the area has huge skies that host spectacular sunsets and salty marshes that turn pink when the water level is low. Visit in winter for fabulous strutting courtship shows.
Longitude: 6.2° E
When to go: July and August
Provence must be the region with the best colored crops. It has both lavender and sunflowers. Growing to be as tall as many grown-ups, a whole field of the bright yellow flowers is a beautiful sight. Known in French as “tournesol”—turn sun—the face of the flower slowly rotates throughout the day so it is always getting the full impact of the sun’s rays. If you’re taking photos, don’t forget this is a working industry, so don’t venture into the fields without permission.
Longitude: 6.2° E
When to go: June to August
Every year in summer, the French region of Provence is transformed into a sea of vibrant lavender fields. Just driving around the region, you’ll detect the delicate fragrance in the air before you see the huge swathes of dusky purple. It really is an incredible sight, and while other countries grow lavender, nowhere else produces it on this scale. One of the most famous views is in front of Sénanque Abbey near Gordes, where the indigo fields surround the twelfth-century building. The monks there plant and cultivate the lavender themselves. To see it at its best, visit in the morning when the sun illuminates the fields, showing off the lavender’s mauve hue. The Provençal locals appreciate how special lavender is, throwing festivals in the plant’s honor and creating soaps and perfumes from it. It’s even an ingredient in the local cuisine, which includes lavender honey, lavender cake, and a delicious lavender sorbet.
Longitude: 6.1° E
When to go: June to August
As one of the most prestigious shopping streets in Luxembourg, rue Philippe II is a hive for locals and tourists alike who visit the road for its luxurious outlets. But, come in the summer months, and shopping is not all you’ll find on the street. Every year art takes over with an aerial installation. The creative initiative was born from the street traders who grouped together with the neighboring Avenue de la Porte-Neuve, joining forces to enhance the pedestrian shopping area and create a friendly summer atmosphere.
Longitude: 7.3° E
When to go: September or around Christmas for excellent markets
Stepping into Colmar’s old town is like stepping back in time. The well-preserved town has undeniable charm; half-timbered houses, flower-covered balconies, corbelled turrets, and oriel windows give the place a sense of romance. While every house is painted in a pop of color, it’s the combination of nature with the crystal-clear canals that really make this place spectacular.
Longitude: 6.5° E
When to go: May to September
The crescent-shaped Lake Geneva is one of the largest lakes in Western Europe and is shared between France and Switzerland. Overlooked by the Alps, the aquamarine waters are quite spectacular and have inspired the likes of David Bowie, Freddie Mercury, and Vladimir Lenin, who have all resided on Lake Geneva’s shores.
Longitude: 7.5°E
When to go: Summer or for the lemon festival in February
Menton is one of the French Riviera’s most charming towns. It is quieter and less expensive than many of its glitzier neighbors, such as Nice and Monaco. The town is full of history, charming gardens, and fabulous seafood, but it is the view you get from taking a boat trip out to sea or wandering to the end of the quay that will stay with you: A cascade of colorful pink, orange, and yellow houses tumble down the hillside from the gray rocks of the Alps to the turquoise blue of the sea. Visit in February for the lemon festival held in Jardin Biovés.
Longitude: 7.4° E
When to go: All year
If you wander around to the back of Monte Carlo’s famed casino and look out to sea, you might find your attention somewhat sidetracked by the multicolored hexagonal roof appearing in front of you. Known as the Hexa Grace, this is the work of Hungarian-French Op art legend Victor Vasarely. The piece was made in 1979 from shiny colorful tiles chosen to reflect the colors of the sky, the sea, and the earth.
Longitude: 6.1° E
When to go: June to August
Les Enfants Terribles is a cultural hotspot in Geneva, consisting of a boutique, an organic café, a workshop, a winery, and a hair salon. While the outside of the shop looks ready for children’s TV, the interior is where the magic happens. Colorful eye candy fills every corner of this design boutique-cum-everything else imaginable.
Longitude: 9.1° E
When to go: June to August
Ever wondered where LEGO® was invented? Visit the Danish town of Billund and you’ll soon know. The LEGO House, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, is an immersive experience center focused on one thing and one thing only: LEGO. The building looks as if it could be made of LEGO. White bricks are stacked on top of one another, crowned with oversized 2x4 LEGO blocks in bright primary colors. Inside the building, there are more than twenty-five million actual LEGO bricks—that’s a lot of playtime! Color was of huge importance to the design of the building and as well as a huge yellow entranceway, there are also four color-coded play areas that each symbolize a special aspect of play and learning. Red encourages creative skills, blue fosters cognitive skills, green helps with social skills, and yellow aids emotional development.
Longitude: 6.7° E
When to go: Mid-June to September
Trolltunga is a rock formation about 3,600 ft/1,100 m above sea level that was created during the Ice Age. This breathtaking cliff juts out horizontally from the side of a mountain into free air, its granite gray contrasting with the blue of Lake Ringedalsvatnet below. Take care, there’s no safety barrier.
Longitude: 8.2° E
When to go: April to October
Known for its old town, Mainz sits on the Rhine River and is filled with Romanesque half-timbered houses, medieval market squares, and the deep red Mainz Cathedral. The German city has a culture and history going back two thousand years and is home to colorful carnivals and many great wines.
Longitude: 9.6° E
When to go: Mid-May to mid-September
Five multicolored fishing villages known as Cinque Terre line the coast of the Italian Riviera. Built in medieval times, they seem to defy nature as they cling to the cliffsides. Cars were banned from the area more than ten years ago, and the villages are connected by a narrow trainline and winding footpaths. It is, understandably, a popular walk to cross from the first village to the last, traversing the intricate fields and gardens in between which are terraced into the hillsides. Hiking definitely gives the best views of the technicolor villages—but don’t take your eyes of the path for too long, it’s a steep cliff below you.
Longitude: 9.3° E
When to go: Summer
Spiaggia Rosa is one of the few places on the planet to have pink sand. Yes, really, truly pink sand. The brilliantly blush color of this coastline in Budelli comes from a precise mixture of crushed fossils, crystals, coral, and dead marine creatures, which blend together to tint the sand a perfect shade of pink.
Longitude: 9.2° E
When to go: April to September
Five-star luxury awaits guests at the stylish Grand Hotel on the banks of Lake Como—one of Italy’s most glamorous destinations. The bright yellow art nouveau palace boasts spectacular views and is home to period bedrooms, high-end restaurants, a private beach, and an incredible floating swimming pool on the lake.
Longitude: 9.1° E
When to go: First thing in the morning or early evening
Designed by film director Wes Anderson and situated in the incredible Fondazione Prada, Bar Luce recreates the atmosphere of a typical Milanese café with aperitifs and gelato. Anderson’s much-loved movie sets have been brought to life in the café with decorative detail, soft pastels, swirling typography, and uniformed waiters.
Longitude: 10.3° E
When to go: All year
Sidi Bou Said’s white-washed walls and brilliant blue doors are so perfect they could almost be from a film set. Add to their charm the architecturally stunning Palace Dar Nejma Ezzahra and the pristine coastal views, and you can see why this seaside town is considered such a gem.
Longitude: 11.2° E
When to go: All year
From the golden hues encompassing the Renaissance buildings to the sun reflecting off the Arno, the sunsets in Firenze are unparalleled. Piazzale Michelangelo is the place to be for panoramic views as the sun paints the sky citrusy hues of orange, pink, and red and slowly sinks behind the Arno.
Longitude: 14.0° E
When to go: March to June, as a day trip
Step off the boat to Procida and you’ll be met with one of the best-kept secrets of southern Italy: a kaleidoscope of color from the pastel-hued houses, the fresh produce, and the perfectly presented blooms. Located just off the coast of Naples and only a short ferry ride from the city, Procida was created by the eruption of four volcanoes, now dormant and submerged. The island is so small that you could walk all of it in a couple of days. Corricella, the oldest fishing village in Procida, is every color lover’s dream. Filled with dreamy coastal architecture, scintillating waters, and richly hued fishing boats, it’s perfect and peaceful. Il Postino was filmed on the island, and many other artists and writers have been lured by its quiet simplicity and beauty.
Longitude: 8.6° E
When to go: April to June
This eye-popping basketball court, created by Sicilian muralist Gue, is a lesson in how to merge shapes and lines. Conceived as part of the urban regeneration and redevelopment of the city’s Carlo Carrà park, the fluid court design plays with perceptions of space and shape. Plus, just look at that color palette.
Longitude: 12.3° E
When to go: Alongside a visit to Venice
With its block color buildings and idyllic street canals, the island of Murano is utterly enchanting. Renowned for its long tradition of glass-making, color has always been a vital part of Murano’s history. Glassmakers were forced to move here from Venice in 1291, to reduce the risk of fires. This isolation and concentration of so many glass artists in one place caused Murano to become a leader in the field. The island initially became famous for glass beads and mirrors. Aventurine glass was invented here, and for a while Murano was the main producer of glass in Europe. Later, the island became known for chandeliers. Today a visit to the Museo del Vetro will tell you the story of glass through the centuries and show you beautiful examples of modern-day glassware, something you can shop for locally throughout the island. The Church of Santa Maria and San Donato, built in the Romanesque style, has a colorful mosaic floor and supposedly houses the bones of a slain dragon.
Longitude: 12.4° E
When to go: All year
Once used to guide fishermen through the fog, the brightly painted homes of Burano are a draw for those escaping the crowds of Venice. Located only 6.5 km/4 mi away, the island is brimming with history. So much so that if a homeowner wants to repaint their home, they must get permission from the government first.
Longitude: 12.5° E
When to go: All year
Originally opened in 1912, the Palads movie theater has undergone many changes over the years, the last in 1989 when it was painted in vivid pastel colors. It owes this look to Poul Gernes, a Danish artist who is the cofounder of the art school Eks-Skolen.
Longitude: 12.5° E
When to go: All year
Truly the historic center of Copenhagen, the Nyhavn Canal is a hot spot for tourists and locals alike. The sunny side of the canal is made up of pubs, bars, and restaurants, and has attracted colorful people to the city for years. Danish fairy-tale author Hans Christian Andersen lived in three of the vibrant houses during the 1800s.
Longitude: 12.7° E
When to go: At night
Located next to the iconic Hlavni Kolonada in the Czech Republic, The Singing Fountain is a circular pool that comes to life at night. Designed by architect Pavel Mikší, the complex sound, water, and light piece provides daily concerts that are dramatic, creative, and most importantly of all, colorful.
Longitude: 13.7° E
When to go: May to October
Quite possibly the world’s most beautiful dairy, this Dresden cheese shop is decorated with hundreds of hand-painted Villeroy & Boch tiles. There are stunning details everywhere, including the vintage milk fountain where locals once filled up their bottles.
Longitude: 13.4° E
When to go: May, for the best spring vibes
Creativity is at the heart of Berlin and this dedicated artistic space, nestled in a disused train depot, is no exception. The gallery, bar, and shop showcase urban culture and street art through exhibitions, artist residencies, DIY workshops, and experimental on-site residencies. Who knows what you’ll find on your visit?
Longitude: 13.4° E
When to go: May to September
A monument to the fall of the Berlin Wall, the East Side Gallery is an open-air showroom that features 105 vibrant murals by artists from all over the world. The artworks were created in 1990, documenting a time of change after a monumental moment in history. Throughout the years, pieces of the wall have been moved over to create room for Berlin’s expansion. Some pieces have been damaged by erosion or graffiti, but still the meaning behind the gallery stands.
Longitude: 14.2° E
When to go: April to mid-October
A few miles off the coast of Naples lies Capri, a captivating Italian island in the Mediterranean Sea. The island is home to the Blue Grotto, which was once the personal swimming area for Emperor Tiberius. Shining crystal-clear azure water casts a glowing blue light around the natural cave.
Longitude: 14.8° E
When to go: May to September
One of Sicily’s Aeolian Islands, Salina is home to a colorful street of houses clad with vibrant shutters. As you explore you’ll find shops selling arancini and gelato, along with tomatoes laid out to dry under the sun. Fancy an outing? Head to Hauner for a sunset wine tasting.
Longitude: 14.5° E
When to go: Early spring to late fall
One of Europe’s smallest capital cities, Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is packed with history and stunning architecture. Baroque buildings line the streets of the sixteenth-century city. Colorful doors with matching balconies jut out of stone buildings, adding the perfect pop of color to the narrow streets.
Longitude: 14.3° E
When to go: Summer
Off the coast of Malta, a small island, Comino, is home to the Blue Lagoon. Its golden rocks, soft white sand, and cyan-colored water make it one of the most popular places to visit in Malta. Go on a sunny day to see the strongest colors.
Longitude: 14.5° E
When to go: April to June
The town of Marsaxlokk on the southeastern coast of Malta has a population of around four thousand people but boasts one of the largest populations of active fishermen. Visit the port here and you’ll find a rainbow of colorful boats, also known as the Maltese luzzu. These traditional fishing boats date back to 800 BC when the ancient Phoenicians came to Malta. Painted in bright red, green, yellow, and blue, the boats feature the traditional eye of Osiris on both sides of the front bow.
Longitude: 15.2° E
When to go: May to June and September to October
Art meets nature meets renewable energy generation in this mesmerizing light show. The 70 ft/22 m glass circle covers a bank of photovoltaic panels that absorb the sun’s energy by day and power an ever-changing light show by night (as well as the seafront’s lights). The lights work in harmony with the neighboring Sea Organ, which turns the sea’s wave power into musical sound.
Longitude: 14.3° E
When to go: September
The island town of Cres is often likened to a little Italian village thanks to its tiny streets and historical center. Known for its sixteenth-century Venetian Tower and Arsan Palace, the rest of the town consists of pastel-colored houses and an astonishingly blue sea. Get up early for more color-seeking at the markets held in the central square.
Longitude: 14.5° E
When to go: Summer
The largest island of Croatia, Krk is home to old towns, rural villages, and secluded swimming bays. Steep, winding roads wrap around the coast of the island, creating secret hideaways where you can take a dip. Dramatic inclines lead to rocky beaches dotted with colorful umbrellas all backed by the crystal clear Adriatic Sea.
Longitude: 15.9° E
When to go: May to June and September to October
One of the most popular day trips from Split, Krka is famed for its incredible waterfalls, which cascade weightily from step to step. The colors vary from a deep turquoise to lurid green. After enjoying a wander along the main trail, cool off with a swim in the main waterfall.
Longitude: 14.5° E
When to go: April to October
Hidden away in the back streets of the sleepy old town of Ljubljana, Metelkova is anything but tired. As darkness envelops the city, the eclectic area comes to life. Metelkova, an urban squat in former Army barracks, is the center of underground music and art in Slovenia. Cracked-tile mosaics and mismatched murals line the walls. Rusty sculptures and noise machines cover the concrete area, drawing in students, artists, and backpackers to experience the nightlife of Ljubljana in the streets and late-night bars.
Longitude: 16.4° E
When to go: April to May, September to October
Named as one of Vienna’s most visited buildings, Hundertwasserhaus has become an integral part of Austria’s cultural heritage. The unique apartment block was designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who was passionate about creating living spaces that benefited the public. Every tenant of the Hundertwasserhaus has “window rights”—the opportunity to embellish the façade around the windows as they please. Public walls were designated spaces for children to draw on. The roof and balconies are covered in trees, creating a wonderful oasis around this very unique building.
Longitude: 14.0° E
When to go: All year
Lake Bled in Slovenia is one of those magical places that feels like it has come straight from a fairy tale: A castle sits on a hillside; a tiny island with a stunning church stands in the middle of a sparkling turquoise lake; secluded swimming spots dot the shoreline; and hiking trails wind through the forest.
Longitude: 16.4° E
When to go: April
For color with a dash of Gothic, you can’t beat the eye-catching Stephansdom (or St. Stephen’s Cathedral) in Vienna. The most important religious building in Vienna, the cathedral has borne witness to many important events in Habsburg and Austrian history and, thanks to its multicolored tile roof, has become one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The ornately patterned 364 ft/110 m-long roof is covered in approximately 230,000 vividly glazed tiles. On the south side of the building, the tiles form a mosaic of a double-headed eagle, a symbol of the Holy Roman Empire. Inside, you’ll find similarly intricate statues and frequently an art installation too.
Longitude: 18.0° E
When to go: May to September for sun, December to March for long nights
Gamla Stan, the oldest part of Stockholm, is one of the largest and most well-preserved medieval city centers in Europe. Packed with history and culture, medieval buildings line the cobblestoned streets, painted in various shades of gold, red, and orange, and dotted with original cellar vaults and frescoes. Stortorget, the central square, is the perfect place for a pit stop, while Prästgatan is thought to be one of the most beautiful streets in Sweden—and where a rune stone, believed to be about one thousand years old, is mysteriously embedded in a wall.
Longitude: 18.1° E
When to go: May to September
Situated just west of Stockholm’s famous Rosendal Palace designed by Fredrik Blom, you’ll find a hit of nature in the form of Rosendals Trädgård. The charming public gardens were designed to bring attention to biodynamic agriculture and to demonstrate different cultural effects on gardening throughout history. Time to be at one with nature.
Longitude: 18.0° E
When to go: May to September, at dusk
If you think that color stops at the architecture when it comes to Sweden, you’d be wrong. Gröna Lund, an amusement park on the seaward side of Djurgården Island, is filled with funfair charm. Visit at night for a chance to see all the attractions lit up in bright and gaudy lights.
Longitude: 18.3° E
When to go: April to July
While the exterior of this Serbian Orthodox monastery is impressive enough, the interior takes it to a whole other level. The church was built in Byzantine style and the beautiful paintings inside were heavily influenced by the Greek painter Stamatis Skliris. Step inside this magical monastery and explore every corner.
Longitude: 19.2° E
When to go: March to June, or September to October
The Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Montenegro is located in the new town of Podgorica. In a culmination of modern design and high-quality craftsmanship, the building is eccentric and charming: washed white-stone towers and golden crosses. It’s not just the outside that’s cool, though; the interior of the building is equally impressive. The church is heavily adorned with colorful frescoes depicting iconographic gold backgrounds, magnificent marble floors, mosaics, and opulent furnishings.
Longitude: 17.0° E
When to go: June to September
This central market square in Wroclaw’s Old Town was once one of the largest markets in Europe and is lined with cute pastel-coloured houses. The original square was where salt was traded alongside leather, honey, and beeswax, but was largely destroyed by World War II and had to be rebuilt almost entirely in the 1950s.
Longitude: 19.0° E
When to go: May to September
The stunningly intricate green-and-blue-tiled walls of the Gellert Thermal Baths in Hungary are a beautiful example of art nouveau style. The waters here are deemed to have healing properties, and in the thirteenth century, Hungarian King Andrew II had a small hospital erected at the foot of Gellert Hill, where the mineral-rich thermal springs offered ways to heal, clean, and calm.
Longitude: 20.8° E
When to go: April to October
You don’t have to walk far in the Polish village of Zalipie to discover a house painted with colorful folksy flowers. They are everywhere. It’s a tradition that began in the late nineteenth century but is still alive and well today with local artists (traditionally women) taking part in regular competitions and exhibitions. The women create their own designs which cover houses, dog kennels, trees, benches, wells, and even animal troughs all over the village.
Longitude: 18.6° E
When to go: June to July
The Gdańsk suburb of Zaspa has Europe’s largest neighborhood collection of residential wall murals. The painting began in 1997 during a festival organized to celebrate the one thousandth anniversary of Gdańsk as a city. Ten walls were painted but the craze caught on and now the streets have amassed more than one hundred murals. These murals, some twelve stories high, document Poland’s political history as well as other more abstract themes.
Longitude: 17.1° E
When to go: January to February
The Church of St. Elizabeth, more affectionately known as “The Little Blue Church,” is a Hungarian Secessionist Catholic church in the old town of Bratislava. Constructed between 1909 and 1913, the one-nave church is typical of the Hungarian art nouveau style and was initially part of the neighboring high school, serving as its chapel. To match the baby blue façade, the church features a blue-glazed tile roof and a line of blue tiles around the walls. Not to be outdone, the interior is just as breathtaking, with blue mosaics, majolicas, and church pews.
Longitude: 19.9° E
When to go: All year
A snakelike river meanders through the Uvac Gorge in Serbia. Carved by nature, the Uvac Gorge consists of two opaque, emerald rivers, Zlatibor and Zlatar, surrounded by stunning mountains and a steep plateau. Acting as a natural border between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Gorge resembles a maze, wrapping around a dense green forest.
Longitude: 21.4° E
When to go: At night
By day Macedonia Square might look like an average city square, but visit at night and you’ll find it comes to life with a vibrant fountain and musical light show. It’s the true heart of the city, where most major cultural and political events have taken place—including the declaration of Macedonia’s independence from Yugoslavia. In the center of the square you’ll find a colossal bronze sculpture of Alexander the Great on his horse. When it was installed in 2011, a huge crowd gathered to celebrate and sing.
Longitude: 20.4° E
When to go: Early July
The grand ocher and green exterior of Hotel Moskva is one that changes with the light around it. A landmark of Belgrade, the hotel was built in the style of the Russian secession and has been under governmental protection since 1968. One of the oldest hotels operating in Serbia, it was inaugurated by King Petar I Karadjordjević in 1908.
Longitude: 17.3° E
When to go: All year
Everyone loves a visit to the cinema, don’t they? There’s nothing better than turning your phone off and tuning in. Although you might want to snap a picture of this movie theatre first. The Tulikino comes with a colorful twist. This one-hundred-seat theatre is made for getting cozy. In fact, tulikino translates from Slovakian as “snuggling cinema.” Instead of seats there are brightly hued beanbags in modular cubicles.
Longitude: 24.7° E
When to go: June to September
This eighteenth-century baroque palace was built for Catherine I of Russia by Peter the Great in Tallinn. The Estonian name for the palace means “Catherine’s Valley.” The palace became the main site for the Art Museum of Estonia in 1921 and holds a wide range of foreign art from the sixteenth to twentieth centuries.
Longitude: 18.4° E
When to go: All year
The distinctive flat top of Table Mountain is a Cape Town icon recognized around the world. Panoramic views of the vibrant city below and the shimmering blue sea can be seen from the colorful cable cars that travel up and down the peaceful giant. Ascend into the sky through the Tablecloth, a fluffy white cloud that envelops the mountain at certain times of the day.
Longitude: 19.3° E
When to go: August to September
Mostly a semi-arid land, Namaqualand spans the borders of Namibia and South Africa, and once a year after a short spring rainfall, the desert magically blooms with thousands of vivid wildflowers, transforming the harsh landscape into an artist’s palette. Depending on which area of Namaqualand you visit, the blooms happen in different weeks during the spring season.
Longitude: 20.8° E
When to go: May to June, September to October
Be at one with nature and head to the Šar Mountains National Park (or Sharr Mountains) in Kosovo for your natural color fix. Spanning half the country, from central Kosovo to the southern border with Macedonia, this national park offers some of Kosovo’s most beautiful hiking routes, including the chance to spot forty-five Serbian Orthodox monasteries, dating from the twelfth to the sixteenth century.
Longitude: 21.1° E
When to go: All year
Designed by Croatian architect Andrija Mutnjaković, whether you love it or hate it, the National Library of Kosovo is undeniably an interesting building. Consisting of ninety-nine irregularly sized domes sitting atop different-sized cubes covered in large metal latticework, it has a brutal quality that some critics have called prison-like.
Longitude: 19.8° E
When to go: All year
Had you visited Tirana in the 1990s, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Albania’s capital was a rather gray and rundown place, full of communist-era apartments in black, gray, or white. Edi Rama, an artist, politician, and writer, became mayor of Tirana in 2001 and decided to inject color into the architecture by repainting existing buildings in bright and bold hues. The rainbow building located near the Blloku area is one of the most successful transformations and has become one of the most visited buildings. Tirana is proof of the benefits of color: since the addition of the urban art, citizens are spending more time outside and there’s less litter and lower crime rates in the city.
Longitude: 24.7° E
When to go: All year
Colorful medieval buildings create a maze of streets in the Old Town of Tallinn. Views of red roofs and church towers dot the skyline from the Kohtuotsa viewing platform. But, the best part is when the pink “The Times We Had” wall perfectly matches the pastel hues of sunset.
Longitude: 18.4° E
When to go: October to April, to avoid the rain
A neighborhood in Cape Town that is impossible to miss, the bright cobblestoned streets of the Bo-Kaap weren’t always this way. The houses were originally accommodation for slaves brought to the Cape from other parts of Africa, Malaysia, and Indonesia. While the houses were leased, they had to remain painted white. So when slavery was abolished in 1834 and the residents were able to purchase their homes, they painted them in bright colors as an expression of their freedom.
Longitude: 18.4° E
When to go: All year
As if brightly painted Victorian bathing boxes weren’t pretty enough, these ones on St. James Beach in Cape Town have a mountain backdrop behind them, creating a perfect summer vacation postcard. Decorated in contrasting primary colors, the wooden bathing boxes are a landmark sight and open to the public for changing into and out of swimwear. Though it’s one of the smaller beaches on the False Bay coastline, with its sheltered location, lively rock pools, and calm tidal pool, St. James Beach is a popular spot for families. From June to November, head up to the nearby Boyes Drive for a great spot for some clifftop whale watching.
Longitude: 28.7° E
When to go: Mid-May to September
The Danube River passes through ten countries and four continents before it empties into the sea, but it is in Romania, at its delta, where the river arguably takes its most beautiful form with lagoons full of birdlife and wide meandering watercourses. It’s a beauty that is laced through with history as various peoples and empires have laid claim to its riches: the Dacians, the Romans, the Goths, the Ottoman Empire, the Russians, and the Romanians. “Blue” is the word here, from the cobalt water to the azure sky; even the houses are trimmed in an aqua shade.
Longitude: 24.7° E
When to go: April
The Transylvanian town of Sighișoara could be straight out of a colorful fairy tale. Perhaps not something you’d expect from the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. However, Sighișoara is often considered to be the most beautiful and well-preserved inhabited citadel in Europe thanks to its authentic medieval architecture. The houses inside the citadel have all the features of a craftsman’s town. Every building is brightly painted, especially in Piaţa Cetăţii, where markets, craft fairs, public executions, impalings, and witch trials were held.
Longitude: 25.2° E
When to go: In the evening to catch a concert
Saint Kotryna Church (or the church of Saint Catherine) was the first church to be extensively restored once Lithuania regained its independence. The decoration of choice? Pink and white candy cane stripes, of course. No longer used as a church, the building now plays host to concerts and performances.
Longitude: 27.9° E
When to go: June to August
More air and more space was the motto of the owners and the architect behind the Colorful Mansion in Ahtopol. With a brightly-colored exterior, terraces facing the Black Sea, and a casual but bold interior, this hotel has become the budget place to stay in Bulgaria.
Longitude: 24.0° E
When to go: July
This striking Eastern Orthodox church in Riga dates back to 1893 and was designed in a Russian baroque style. It’s not hard to spot it among the more neutral architecture in the rest of Riga—you’ll be sure to see its red bell tower and blue onion domes rising up from a distance.
Longitude: 25.4° E
When to go: January for the Northern Lights
Stop by the Cultural Centre Valve in Finland as the sun is setting and you’ll find it almost blending into the horizon. Located in the Pokkinen neighborhood in Oulu, the dusty pink three-story cultural center has two theatre stages, a cinema, galleries, and workshops for creatives to enjoy.
Longitude: 25.3° E
When to go: April to October
Expect pops of pink, burnt orange, and blood red laced between the cobalt-blue domed buildings as you watch the sun set in the coastal hillside town of Santorini. The stunning village features two types of dwelling—the cave houses dug into the volcanic rock for ship crews and the captain’s houses belonging to the affluent class of ship owners. While every part of the winding village is a treat for the eyes, it’s the remarkable sunsets that are unforgettable. If you’re looking for a sense of enlightenment, this is the place to come.
Longitude: 27.5° E
When to go: July
Had you visited Oktyabrskaya Street in Belarus in the late twentieth century, you would have found nothing but factories and a bleak landscape, typical of Soviet architecture. However, today this former industrial area of Minsk has become a center of creativity. Still home to the one machine-making factory named after the 1917 October Revolution, MZOR, the area has not lost all of its industrial roots. But thanks to street artists and a new wave of architects and designers, the road now also offers fun and inspiration for when the day’s work is done. The street art renovation of the area began in 2014 when a group of Brazilian street artists came to Minsk to paint alongside Belarusian artists on the street. To celebrate the creations, the embassy of Brazil in Minsk organized an international street art festival titled Vulica Brazil. The street includes one of the biggest murals in the world by Brazilian artist Ramon Martins. The collage features endangered animals of Belarus and covers more than 32,000 ft2/3,000 m2.
Longitude: 25.8° E
When to go: All year
Located near Naxos and Ios, on the southern side of the Cyclades archipelago, Amorgos is one of the most picturesque Greek islands. Built at the center of the island and surrounded by rocky hills, the labyrinth-like village of Chora is perfect for exploring. Square, white-washed houses featuring brightly colored doors and window shutters pop against the azure sky. Set on traditional narrow Lilliputian whitewashed alleys, with bougainvillea trees and scenic squares, these houses give Amorgos a charm all of its own.
Longitude: 28.8° E
When to go: All year
No, this isn’t Cinderella’s castle, although you’d be forgiven for thinking so, what with the monastery’s powder blue and gold turrets. The Ciuflea Monastery was built between 1854 and 1858. It is the legacy of wealthy merchant brothers Teodor and Anastasie Ciufli. The former died in 1854 and left instructions for the monastery to be built in his will, his brother duly carried out the project. Both are now buried under its consecrated ground.
Longitude: 25.9° E
When to go: September and October
Autumn along Norway’s coast is known as the season of color. Think reds, yellows, and oranges against beautiful blue skies and white snow on the mountaintops. Head to the northernmost city in Norway and you’ll find Honningsvåg—a tiny city that features vivid houses and primary-colored fishing boats set against an occasionally snow-covered hillside. The city is the gateway to the North Cape; the northernmost point on the European mainland. While travelers once had to climb up the 1,000-ft/307-m-high cliff to get there, it is now accessible by bus—but it is still probably the place that feels most like the edge of the world anywhere. Honningsvåg has the vaulted position of being the smallest city in Norway—with just 2,500 inhabitants.
Longitude: 28.9° E
When to go: April to May, September to November
Nowhere else in the world smells quite like Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar—a huge space that is filled to the brim with beautifully rich and vibrant spices, and their aromas. Vividly-colored spices, jewel-like Turkish delight, dried fruits and nuts, herbs, olives, honey, oils, and essences of the finest quality are all on display. Look out for the maroon-colored spice among the mounds of color—the deep and fragrant sumac is made from the berries of the wild Rhus coriaria bush.
Longitude: 28.9° E
When to go: All year
Color magpies beware. The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul requires serious restraint. As one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world (there are sixty-one covered streets in total), the original core of the bazaar was completed by Mehmet the Conqueror in 1461. The market includes row upon row of brightly-hued wares. Best practise your haggling skills.
Longitude: 28.9° E
When to go: April to May and September to mid-November
With narrow ascending streets lined with tightly packed colorful houses, Istanbul’s charming neighborhood of Balat is a little off the beaten path but well worth a visit. Located on the European side of Istanbul, on the shore of the Golden Horn, it used to be known as the Jewish Quarter. In 1492 when the Alhambra Decree came to life in Spain, anyone not practicing Christianity had to convert or leave. Sultan Bayezid II of the Ottoman Empire sent ships to Spain and granted Ottoman citizenship to Muslim and Jewish people fleeing the decree. Balat became the place where many Jewish people settled. Wandering the cobblestoned streets, viewing the brightly painted houses, tasting the food, and visiting the bustling market are the best ways to see the neighborhood. The Ahrida Synagogue is available for tours as well, if you book in advance.
Longitude: 29.1° E
When to go: April to May and September to November
Pamukkale, meaning “cotton castle” in Turkish, is a natural beauty spot in Denizli in the southwestern area of Turkey. Often referred to as the “White Marvel,” the site is known for its mineral-rich thermal waters flowing down gleaming white travertine terraces. These unique formations are caused by limestone deposited by the mineral springs, through a process of rapid precipitation of carbonate minerals. The geological sensation receives over two million visitors annually, making it Turkey’s single most visited attraction. Artificial pools have been built next to the site allowing visitors to bathe in the mineral-rich waters just as the Romans did. Alongside the surreal travertines, you’ll find ruins of bath houses, a well-preserved theater, and a necropolis with sarcophagi that stretch for 1.2 mi/2 km. There’s over two thousand years of history to explore here.
Longitude: 28.9° E
When to go: April to May and September to November
In 2013, Hüseyin Çetinel, a retired man in Istanbul, spent several days painting a dull gray staircase with fun rainbow colors. People assumed it had a political or LGBTQ message, but the artist said: “I didn’t do it for a group or as a form of activism. I did it to make people smile.” When the local municipality heard about it, it repainted the stairs gray, which caused a huge stir and #resiststeps started trending on Twitter. Within days, not only were the original stairs repainted in rainbow colors, but the guerrilla street art project spread all across Turkey.
Longitude: 29.9° E
When to go: April to September
Peterhof Palace was built by Peter the Great, and decorated to extreme extravagance by his gold-loving daughter Elizabeth. Her lavish interiors feature an abundance of gold leaf, carved ceilings, and ornate detailing. Outside, the buttercup yellow façade of the palace overlooks an expanse of gardens, built to mimic the Palace of Versailles.
Longitude: 31.1° E
When to go: October to April
The last remaining wonder of the ancient world, the Pyramids of Giza stand tall over Egypt’s desert. The awe-inspiring golden structures were originally covered in shiny white limestone but over the years this got removed and reused in other buildings. Scientists estimate that the Great Pyramid took twenty thousand slaves twenty-three years to build. Now that’s a building project.
Longitude: 30.3° E
When to go: Mid-June to September
The Chesme Church, also referred to as Church of Saint John the Baptist at Chesme Palace, is a small Russian Orthodox church built in 1780 by Yury Felten, who was court architect to Catherine the Great. Painted in baby pink and white, the inspiration for this gothic style church was the exotic nature of Turkish architecture but it also referenced Catherine’s love for England. The vertical stripes on the building lend to it often being referred to as a candy cane. This gothic-revival style introduced by Catherine became so popular in Russia that it can be seen on many other historical landmarks too.
Longitude: 30.3° E
When to go: Mid-June to September
The Great Mosque of St. Petersburg is the biggest mosque in the European part of Russia—and it’s impressive in both scale and design. The building was constructed in honor of the Emir of Bukhara, as a result of Central Asia joining Russia. When built, the mosque was the largest religious landmark in Russia and could fit up to five thousand worshippers. The design was based on the tomb of Tamerlane in Samarkand. Decorated in beautifully tiled mosaics, the blue façades are also adorned with sayings from the Koran.
Longitude: 26.0° E
When to go: May to September
In spring and summer, as leaves bud and flourish, this working railway track transforms into an extraordinary natural tunnel. Still used by a train three times a day, it is otherwise empty and ready for a soulful wander. Legend says that couples walking through will have wishes granted if their love is sincere.
Longitude: 30.3° E
When to go: April to September
St. Petersburg’s rich religious history has created many beautiful churches. But if you only see one, make sure it’s the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. If the name seems extravagant, that’s nothing compared to the church itself. Its unique turreted design looks more like a fairy-tale palace than a church, with a pink-hued façade topped by blue swirled domes and decorated in dazzling semiprecious stones. If possible, the interior is even glitzier, with every surface covered in intricate paintings and enormous mosaics.
Longitude: 30.3° E
When to go: June to September
St. Petersburg’s State Hermitage Museum is one of the largest art museums in the world, second only to the Louvre. Made up of several buildings along the river, it houses over three million artifacts and artworks. But among its many treasures, it is the glorious Winter Palace that might be the fairest of them all. Built between 1754 and 1762, as the winter palace for the tsars, the exquisite green and white baroque masterpiece has 1,786 doors, 1,945 windows, and more than 1,000 rooms and halls.
Longitude: 37.6° E
When to go: All year
Moscow’s metro is famed for its luxuriously designed stations, particularly those on the Circle Line. Constructed shortly after WWII, the decorations glorify the country’s military might. Each underground work of architectural fancy is completely unique and brimming with Soviet symbolism.
Longitude: 37.6° E
When to go: All year
Separating the Kremlin from the historic merchant quarter of Kitai-gorod, the Red Square is one of the most iconic landmarks in Moscow. The crimson-walled fortress of the Kremlin dominates one side of the square; once the royal citadel, it is now the official residence of the Russian prime minister.
Longitude: 38.1° E
When to go: April to August
Russian Orthodox churches are known for their bright colors and numerous domes. Several shining examples can be found at the enormous Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius monastery, which is considered the spiritual heart of the Orthodox church. A sprawling ensemble of brightly painted buildings are housed within the monastery’s fortified walls, which are topped with a distinctive leaf-green roof. Still a working Orthodox monastery, the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius has become an important pilgrimage site.
Longitude: 37.6° E
When to go: April to September
When you think of Moscow, no doubt you think of St. Basil’s Cathedral. It’s one of the most iconic buildings in Russia and with its playfully decorated onion domes, it looks like it’s been plucked straight out of the pages of a fairy tale. Ivan the Terrible commissioned the church in 1552, and it was completed around ten years later. There’s a legend that you’ll still hear on tours today that Ivan the Terrible was so impressed by the cathedral’s beauty that he ordered the architects be blinded so they could never build anything as incredible again. Amazingly, the building has survived throughout the country’s turbulent history. As for the design, it wasn’t always this colorful. Originally it was white with golden domes. Unlike many vast and airy cathedrals, St. Basil’s is a cluster of buildings, consisting of one central church surrounded by nine smaller, more intimate chapels. After visiting during the daytime, return again at night to see the building stunningly illuminated.
Longitude: 32.9° E
When to go: September and October
Tucked between the border with Finland and the White Sea, Karelia is an autonomous republic known for its verdant Baltic landscapes. The region boasts over sixty thousand lakes—one for every ten inhabitants—and forests cover around 85 percent of the land. During the fall these forests turn a vivid golden. It’s easy to see why the region has inspired countless Russian artists. Head to Kivach Nature Reserve to truly appreciate Karelia’s beauty.
Longitude: 30.5° E
When to go: June to August
In the nineteenth century, St Volodymyr’s Cathedral was funded by donations from citizens from all over the Russian Empire to mark nine hundred years of Orthodox Christianity. Its canary yellow exterior and seven blue domes is a masterpiece of Byzantine style, but the colorful interior is just as admirable, with mosaics and frescoes executed by artists from Venice.
Longitude: 30.52° E
When to go: June to August
The striking architecture, glittering gold domes, and decadent interior of this functioning monastery in Kiev brings in tourists from far and wide. Built in the 1990s, it is a reconstruction of the destroyed St. Michael’s Cathedral, which was pulled down by the Soviet regime in the 1930s for having “no historical value.”
Longitude: 34.8° E
When to go: April, May, September, October
Named for the moment when the sunlight hits the reddish rocks, lighting up a deep, intense red, the Red Canyon in the Eilat Mountains is one of the most beautiful hiking areas in Israel. The breathtaking canyon is reminiscent of the planet Mars because of its deep red rock and soil.
Longitude: 34.8° E
When to go: April to June and September to October
Each morning in Cappadocia the skies fill with colorful hot-air balloons as tourists venture upward for breathtaking sunrise views over the region’s surreal “fairy chimneys” (spiky rock formations that pepper the landscape). In Roman times, many of the chimneys were turned into homes and churches, adding to the town’s fairy-like charms. It’s an amazing sight as around one hundred balloons of differing colors and designs peacefully float in a pale blue sky over the orange land.
Longitude: 35.7° E
When to go: July to September
Beirut has a long and difficult economic and political history, but in response there has been a swelling of creativity. A group of Lebanese artists and changemakers, Dihzahyners, are transforming the urban scenery of Beirut by painting stairways in vivid colors and patterns. The old stairs of Mar Mikhael and Jeitawi have seen the city change around them and every step has a story. Dihzahyners aim to embrace this. The ongoing project, titled Paint Up, sees many of the city’s stairways painted in geometric patterns.
Longitude: 35.8° E
When to go: Wet season, April to May
A trek to Lake Manyara can reward you with a view of thousands of flamingos—a moving landscape of pink feathers. The exotic birds congregate here during the wet season when the lake covers more than 60 percent of the land inside the park. If you’re really lucky you’ll witness the sky turn pink when a flock takes flight.
Longitude: 33.3° E
When to go: March to June and October to December
With its colorful shutters and old stone buildings, Kato-Drys is one of the most photogenic villages in Cyprus. Enjoy a slower pace of life and a feeling that you’ve gone back in time, as you watch ladies practicing weaving and lacework, and men playing dominoes and chess on the street.
Longitude: 33.4° E
When to go: May to October
Artist Anthos Myrianthous had a dream. He wanted to create a place where visitors could explore works of art and be inspired by nature at the same time. Helped by volunteers, it took him six years to fulfill this ambition by creating the Euphoria Art Land in Pyrgos, Limassol. Reminiscent of the creations of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona, the venue celebrates color, handmade artwork, and traditional techniques. Three tiny buildings are engulfed by colorful tiled “roots,” while extensive mosaics stretch from the houses to the outside fencing. Curious travelers can book to stay in the houses and wake up to the enchanting scenery. Profits from the project are all donated to supporting underprivileged children, providing them with education options and support.
Longitude: 35.4° E
When to go: March to May and September to November
As you wander through El Siq, a narrow gorge with 250-ft/80-m cliffs rising up on each side, it’s impossible not to feel small. This is the dramatic path that leads to the two-thousand-year-old rose city of Petra, home to caves, temples, and tombs carved out of the sandstone rock by the Nabateans in 300 BC. The highlight for many is the detailed façade of The Treasury, best seen from the vertigo-inducing trail above.
Longitude: 35.4° E
When to go: April, May, September, October
Known as one of the saltiest bodies of water and the lowest sea on earth, the Dead Sea is a stunning natural wonder. The rich blue water seems to change color along the beach and out into the open sea. Beautiful to look at, it also leaves visitors with rejuvenated soft, smooth skin.
Longitude: 35.4° E
When to go: July to September
With their striking blue waters and pristine beaches, the five islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago wouldn’t be such a bad place to find yourself abandoned on a desert island. Mozambique’s unspoiled paradise in the Indian Ocean has even more treasure below the surface of its waters with a vast array of luminescent coral and wildlife, including mystical and endangered dugongs.
Longitude: 36.8° E
When to go: January to February and July to October
A growing revolutionary machine, Nairobi’s street art acts as a colorful political message to bring about peace and change. Multiple movements, starting with the Ma-Vulture action against political corruption in 2012, to the Peace Train and Kibera Walls for Peace youth project, have fostered a generation of artistic talent and motivational change.
Longitude: 38.7° E
When to go: All year
Pedestrians chancing upon Le Gare intersection in Addis Ababa can’t help but be charmed by the colorful designs painted on the road. Bright yellows and blues clash with reds and greens in a modern mosaic of geometric design. However, these designs are about far more than just looking good; they are an integral part of Addis Ababa’s road safety strategy. The paint has been used—alongside planters—to alter the traffic lanes and reduce the distances pedestrians have to negotiate as they cross the road from a terrifying 165 ft/50 m to shorter stretches of less than 30 ft/10 m at a time.
Longitude: 39.3° E
When to go: June to October or December to February
Powdery, white sand beaches, dotted with tall, sweeping, green palm trees, and crystal-clear turquoise water surround the tropical paradise of Zanzibar. Located just off the coast of Tanzania, the gorgeous island is a unique mix of culture and pure relaxation. The Darajani Market is where locals can be found hustling all day long weaving between colorful fruit and spice stands. In Stone Town, Arabic, Indian, African, and European cultures come together to create a vibrant community in the labyrinth of winding streets and alleyways. But perhaps the most beautiful places in Zanzibar can be found in nature. The Rock restaurant, a combination of stunning nature and the cleverness of a local, sits on a tiny rock in the middle of the sparkling aquamarine water. During low tide, it’s easy to walk there, but at high tide, a boat is the only way across. Back on land, the Jozani Forest is brimming with every color of the rainbow. Red colobus monkeys, which can only be found in Zanzibar, swing through the canopy of green trees. Over fifty species of technicolor butterflies flutter around the forest and birds of all types and colors fly through the air.
