Longitude: 44.8° E
When to go: May, June, or September
The blue-tiled façade of this bathhouse will stop you in your tracks before you’ve even realized there’s a curative, thermal spa behind the doors. Tbilisi, which translates from the Georgian as “warm place,” is famous for its thermal spas fed by natural sulphuric-smelling springs—watch out for the smell of eggs. According to legend, King Vakhtang Gorgasali came across the springs and was so impressed that he built Tbilisi around them. The springs acted as a natural source of hot water where people could wash and reap the healing benefits—the waters are said to help treat eczema, arthritic pain, and digestive problems. Often called “the colourful baths” due to the radiant mosaics that adorn the exterior, the intricate detailing and blue color is typical of Iranian architecture. Orbeliani Baths dates back to the seventeenth century but was transformed into more of an “Eastern” style in the nineteenth century.
Longitude: 46.7° E
When to go: April to June
The terracotta-hued Tatik u Papik statue, which translates as “Grandma and Grandpa,” is a great example of Soviet style monuments. Completed in 1967 by Soviet-Armenian architect Sargis Baghdasaryan, it depicts an old man and woman representing the mountain people of Karabakh. It’s also known as “We Are Our Mountains.” The statue sits on the border with Armenia and serves as a reminder of the area’s previous troubles. Come for the history and stay for the view.
Longitude: 44.8° E
When to go: April to November
Translated into English as “Where one cannot walk barefoot,” Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park in Madagascar is filled with thousands of impenetrable limestone needles that jut out of the earth. The impressive pinnacles surround the Manambolo Gorge, where hanging bridges create a daring pathway through the dark gray formations.
Longitude: 56.4° E
When to go: Spring and fall to avoid the extremes of heat or cold
The interior of this 6-mile/10-km-wide island off the south coast of Iran is a zigzag of red, purple, yellow, blue, and silver mountains. The carmine cliffs of Red Beach turn the sea into something from a horror movie, as red surf laps at the sands that condense all this magnificent geology into one concentrated rush.
Longitude: 48.9° E
When to go: May to August
It seems apt that Kazan’s name translates as “cooking pot” from the Tatar. The colorful eclecticism of this fascinating city all comes together under one roof at the Temple of All Religions. A wonderland of colorful domes and tiered towers, the temple looks like a pick-and-mix of religious buildings from around the world, which is exactly what it is. It was established by philanthropist Ildar Khanov in 1992, to stand as a symbol of religious unity.
Longitude: 55.2° E
When to go: All year
Home to thousands of tropical birds, giant land tortoises, and more, Bird Island is an oasis. Covered in stark white beaches, the island appears to be floating in emerald water. Formed on a coral cay three thousand years ago, the 250 ac/1 km2 island’s oldest reef dates back over seven thousand years.
Longitude: 45.2° E
When to go: May to June or September to October
Nestled on the ledge of a narrow, winding gorge above the Amaghu River is the Noravank Monastery. Small, but beautiful, it contrasts with the intense red rock cliffs and jade forest of the Noravank Gorge. The Gorge is also home to the wild yellow rose, which dots the hills, creating a brilliant sea of yellow.
Longitude: 55.2° E
When to go: November to May
Winner of multiple Guinness Book of World Record titles, including largest vertical garden, the Dubai Miracle Garden is unlike anywhere else on earth. Planted with 150 million flowers in different 3D shapes and scenes, wandering here feels a bit like you’ve invaded someone else’s very kitsch daydream. Designs change every year and range from houses, arches, and butterflies to umbrella skies, airplanes, and beloved characters. It’s not just the sight of hundreds of colorful flowers you experience, but the scent is amazing, too. If candy grew like flowers, this is how it would grow.
Longitude: 52.5° E
When to go: March to May, September to November
When it comes to colorful buildings, the Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in the Gawd-i Arabān quarter of Shiraz really is on another level. The traditional mosque is often dubbed “The Pink Mosque” due to the abundance of pink-colored tiles blanketing its ceiling. Designed by Iranian architects Mohammad Hasan-e-Memār and Mohammad Rezā Kāshi-Sāz-e-Širāzi, the vision for the mosque was to create a place of worship that resembled the relationship between heaven and earth, and between light and color. Mission achieved. Catch the mosque in the morning sun and you’ll be treated to one of the most beautiful natural light shows in the world thanks to the plethora of dazzling stained glass windows in the building, it’s like stepping inside a kaleidoscope. The mosque also features thousands of painted tiles on the ceiling and rich Persian rugs on the floor.
Longitude: 58.5° E
When to go: November to March
The mixed geography of the Wahiba Sands creates a rainbow of color in Oman. From orange rolling dunes that can rise up to 300 ft/90 m, to treacherous salt flats that reflect the sky, to the arid landscape dotted with palm trees, this place is a dreamland. Sand dune safaris take guests on a stomach-flipping, adrenaline-inducing ride through the towering dunes to tourist camps that have popped up in the middle of the vast desert. At night, darkness descends, and the glow of thousands of stars and constellations light up the dark blue sky, something only to be seen in the middle of nowhere.
Longitude: 54.3° E
When to go: November to April
The Moorish architecture of Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque is stunning, with its sparkling white stone, picturesque archways, beautiful domes, and Arabic minarets. Inside you’ll find one of the world’s largest chandeliers and the largest handmade carpet. It’s free to visit, but dress respectfully.
Longitude: 57.5° E
When to go: May to December
When you think of Mauritius you probably think of paradise beaches and honeymoon resorts, but there’s a wild side to this island too. The seven-colored earth is a natural phenomenon created over several millennia by the decomposition of volcanic lava into clay minerals. Over time water-soluble elements, such as silicon dioxide, have been washed out of the sand, leaving the stunning natural colors created by iron (which gives the red and brown hues) and aluminium oxides (which form the bluer shades). It’s incredible to see the undulating dune-like earth in shades of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow, and despite changes in the weather, the landscape never erodes or changes. Even if you mixed all of the different colors together they would separate again, because the iron and aluminium particles naturally repel each other. While you can’t walk directly on the sand, there are plenty of viewpoints around the perimeter of the site. The vividness of the colors depends on the brightness and position of the sun, but generally the best times to visit are at sunrise and sunset.
Longitude: 57.7° E
When to go: October to February
Presenting a happy and hip vibe was of utmost importance to the SALT of Palmar hotel in Mauritius, so it was a no-brainer to get French artist Camille Walala involved in the design process. Inspired by Mauritius’s bright blue skies, pink sunsets, green sugarcane fields, and the explosion of colors used to decorate neighboring houses, Walala collaborated with local architecture studio JFA to cross the soulful local style with her own bold aesthetic. SALT of Palmar is the first eco-hotel on Mauritius and alongside its vibrant interiors it also features locally sourced organic food, a salt therapy room, a rooftop bar, and skills-swap experiences. Race you to the plane.
Longitude: 70.6° E
When to go: November to March for the most comfortable temperatures
Jaisalmer is known as the Golden City, thanks to its uniform yellow sandstone buildings. The great Thar Desert in Rajasthan is one of the largest sandy stretches in the world. Dominated by undulating sand dunes, and with the sand varying in hue from vibrant yellow in the day, to deep golden or rich amber at sunrise and sunset, it’s surprisingly colorful for a monochrome landscape.
Longitude: 76.9° E
When to go: April, May, September and October
The Zenkov Cathedral is a Russian Orthodox cathedral located in Panfilov Park. Built in 1907, the cathedral was constructed out of wood—allegedly without using nails. It’s one of the tallest wooden buildings in the world and thanks to its design—including a seismic basket—it has successfully withstood earthquakes while nearby buildings have been flattened.
Longitude: 73.0° E
When to go: October to March
Known as the Blue City, the walled city of Jodhpur is one of the most colorful places in all of India, thanks to its distinctive old town center. Almost all the buildings in this part of the city are painted a matching shade of pastel blue. The winding medieval streets of the old city are a photographer’s dream, lined with crumbling blue-washed walls that brilliantly contrast with the desert surrounding the ancient city. No one can quite agree on why Jodhpur was painted blue. Some say that blue is an auspicious color for the Brahmin community, so they painted their houses blue to differentiate themselves from other Hindu castes. Others argue that it’s simply to repel the desert heat, while still others say it’s because the color is associated with Lord Shiva. According to legend, Lord Shiva turned blue after drinking a deadly poison called Halahala. It’s been suggested that Shiva’s followers painted their homes blue in his honor. A newer theory suggests that the blue tint of Jodhpur’s houses may come from copper sulphate added into the whitewash to deter termites. Whatever the reason, the resulting blue city is an impressive sight to behold. Head to Mehrangarh Fort for the best views of the city.
Longitude: 73.4° E
When to go: January and February
From the eye-catching, deep orange sunsets on the Western side of the island to the candy-colored houses in town, one thing’s for certain: Maafushi is teeming with color. Forget your ideas that the Maldives islands are all about overwater bungalows and clear blue water—there’s plenty more to explore here. And when you’ve finished your wander around town—dress respectfully, this is a Muslim island so keep your swimwear for the beach—the water is where to explore next. Head to one of the nearby reefs with snorkel to hand and you’re sure to see all manner of color swimming around, and maybe even a dolphin or two.
Longitude: 74.5° E
When to go: Around November (the fair dates vary every year)
Every year, over a million visitors descend upon the tiny rural town of Pushkar in the Rajasthan Desert for the annual Pushkar Camel Fair. This five-day festival is one of the largest camel gatherings in the world and as with all Indian cultural events, color is king. Many camels come dressed to impress, adorned with colorful accessories, woven shawls, and dazzling jewelry.
Longitude: 73.8° E
When to go: Mid-August to October. The flowering begins during the monsoon, which varies each year
Every summer, the Kaas Plateau erupts into a sea of colorful flowers. The grasslands topping the plateau are a biodiversity hotspot and during the summer monsoon season, rolling fields of flowers create a glorious rainbow of more than 850 species of flowering plants.
Longitude: 75.3° E
When to go: December to April
India is known for its manifold religious festivals, which are often overwhelmingly colorful affairs. One of the most flamboyant, and fascinating, is Theyyam in Kerala. At Theyyam festivals, participants worship via the means of dance. Its an artform that predates Hinduism and is closely linked to nature with trees, plants, and animals worshipped alongside Hindu gods. Dancers wear elaborate bright red costumes, with huge headdresses, patterned skirts, and sometimes wing-like shoulder extensions. Their faces are painted a bright orange with intricate patterns etched in red. The spectacular shows are all accompanied by frenzied drumming. There are over four hundred types of Theyyam, each dedicated to a different god or hero. The festival is celebrated across Kerala, but the towns of Kannur and Bekal make good bases to catch different versions of this incredible ritual.
Longitude: 75.7° E
When to go: October to March for better weather
Nicknamed the Pink City because of the abundance of rose-painted walls and buildings, Jaipur’s City Palace is an opulent gem in the center of the city. A complex of gardens, courtyards, museums, and other buildings, the Palace is lavishly designed, with intricate brickwork, gates, and a gorgeous “blue room”—sheltered but with open doorways to enjoy the monsoon rains.
Longitude: 74.9° E
When to go: End of October to mid-November
Think of saffron, and you’re probably picturing that deep, red-tinged orange shade. The spice, however, is the harvested stamens of violet crocus flowers. Every fall, the fields around the town of Pampore in Kashmir turn bright purple as the crocuses flower. It is one of the few places in the world where the plants grow, and saffron from here is considered the world’s finest.
Longitude: 77.2° E
When to go: All year, but during February and March for the Lodhi art festival
The Lodhi Colony was built toward the end of the British Empire’s rule as housing for government employees. Recently, nonprofit foundation St+Art India brought together street artists from India and around the world to reclaim the pastel walls of the neat colonial architecture with enormous murals, creating India’s first ever public art district.
Longitude: 78.0° E
When to go: November to March
Built in the sixteenth century, the Red Fort is one of the most historical and impressive structures in Agra. Carved from local red sandstone, hence the striking color, the walled city was the royal residence of the Mughal emperors until 1638, when the capital was shifted to Delhi.
Longitude: 77.1° E
When to go: December to February
In the farmlands all over Bangladesh, mustard fields are a common site, as the seeds are one of the country’s biggest crops. Around 926 mi2/2,400 km2 of land are given over to mustard cultivation, and during the dry winter season the countryside becomes carpeted with the bright yellow flowers as farmers get ready to begin the harvest. Although you can see the mustard fields all over Bangladesh, the districts of Maniknagar and Munshiganj are the closest to the capital city of Dhaka. A short drive will land you in a rolling sea of yellow, where you can catch a glimpse of country life in Bangladesh and experience the country at its most colorful.
Longitude: 77.6° E
When to go: Usually in March, on the last full moon of the lunar month
Hindus across the world mark the start of spring and celebrate new beginnings with Holi, the most colorful festival on earth. Crowds gather to throw brightly colored powders (symbolizing everything from love to fertility) over one another all over India and Nepal, but the ghats of Mathura are well known for their lavish and joyful celebrations. Boundaries are broken down as young and old, men and women, and people from all castes and creeds fill the streets and douse each other with color. It’s a sight so eye-catching that brands ranging from Sony to British Airways have used this ancient festival that dates back to the fourth century in recent ad campaigns.
Longitude: 78.1° E
When to go: October to March for comfortable temperatures. Arrive early to beat the crowds.
The Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai is one of South India’s most famous landmarks. Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Meenakshi, legend has it that the temple was built on the very site where Lord Shiva married Meenakshi, in what Hindus believe to be the biggest event in the earth’s history. The impressive architecture features fourteen pyramid-like towers completely covered in statues and brightly painted stucco images, which retell the legends from Hindu texts.
Longitude: 79.6° E
When to go: June to October
In the mountainous north of India, at the border with Tibet, the Valley of Flowers National Park puts on a stunning natural display of color. This high-altitude Himalayan valley is known for its charming meadows of alpine flowers surrounded by snow-capped mountains and crisscrossed with rushing streams. During summer, the fields of perfumed wildflowers create a vibrant carpet of color.
Longitude: 79.8° E
When to go: October to March
Although it’s still named Ville Blanche, or White Town, Pondicherry’s historic French Quarter is anything but. The name is a leftover from colonial segregation, but today, bright colors reign in this quiet, leafy area of the city, with many of the walls painted in striking shades of orange, yellow, and pink. The addition of street art, murals, and bunting have reclaimed the neighborhood in as colorful a fashion as possible.
Longitude: 78.4° E
When to go: 11am to 11pm daily, with evenings being the best time
India’s markets are always a colorful affair, but perhaps none more so than the Chudi Bazaar (or Laad Bazaar) in Hyderabad. This dazzling market specializes in one thing only: bangles. On either side of the streets you’ll find shops piled high with stacks of glinting bangles, in every style and color imaginable.
