We all know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so creating a list of the most beautiful cities in the world is a difficult task. If you are an architect, you will judge a city on it’s buildings and public spaces. If you love design and style, then the people of a city and their aesthetic may define its beauty. If you love nature, chances are your definition of a city’s beauty is its gardens and green spaces.
The following list of 20 cities is, of course, subjective. For this list, we are using the criteria of architecture, cultural treasures, historical relevance, and natural appeal. Take a look and see if you agree, or if you think there are others that should be on this list!
Jaipur, India
Jaipur, a.k.a. the Pink City, got its rosy wash in 1876 when Maharaja Ram Singh painted most of its buildings pink ahead of a visit from Britain’s Prince Albert. But the beautiful blush hues are only part of Jaipur’s charm. Its architecture also stuns, particularly the Hawa Mahal Palace, which has five stories built into a pyramidal shape with 953 ornate windows. And because royals have been drawn to Jaipur for centuries, that’s not the only palace in town. Others include Rambagh Palace, embellished with hand-carved latticework; Jai Mahal Palace, set on 18 acres of gardens; and Samode Palace, with its labyrinth of Mughal arched doorways—all of which are now open to the public as hotels.
Paris, France
It probably won’t shock anyone to see the City of Light on this list. Novelists, poets, and musicians—everyone from Edith Piaf to Jay-Z—have penned tributes to the French capital and its unparalleled appeal. Ask one of the 15.5 million international travelers that visited in 2023, a stat that earned Paris the number five spot for most-visited cities in the world, according to Euromonitor International’s Top 100 City Destinations Index. In the same report, Paris took top honors for “the most attractive city destination
Chiang Mai
Relaxation and major metropolises don’t typically go hand in hand, but Chiang Mai isn’t your typical city. Not only is this northern mountain municipality easy on the eyes—with its waterfalls, tropical forests, and botanic gardens—it’s also a major hub for ancient healing techniques. One of these practices is traditional Thai massage, which has been around for over 2,500 years and is rooted in Buddhist teachings. Considering that Chiang Mai is home to over 300 Buddhist temples, it follows that wellness is woven into the fabric of the city.
Luxor, Egypt
When it comes to picking prime real estate, it’s hard to argue with three dynasties worth of pharaohs, all of whom chose this southern Egyptian city on the east bank of the Nile River as their final resting place. Today, the tombs of those royals as well as ruins from their ancient cities make Luxor even more enticing. The Valley of the Kings (the burial site of Tutankhamun), the Valley of the Queens (the resting place of Nefertari), and the Luxor Temple Sphinxes are here in all their glory. These ruins include elaborate wall paintings and hieroglyphics, colossal statues, and pink granite obelisks.
Cape Town, South Africa
Brilliant blue waters, buzzing nightlife, an ever-emerging arts scene, and the majestic Table Mountain make Cape Town a stunning city no matter your definition of beauty. For both nature lovers and thrill seekers, getting a closer look at the city’s main mountain never disappoints. Table Mountain National Park has a cable car that offers panoramic views of the city, plus whale-watching from Cape Point and the chance to peep penguins at Boulders Beach.
Kyoto, Japan
Though it’s Japan’s former capital, Kyoto certainly didn’t lose political top billing due to looks. The city, now known as Japan’s cultural capital, is rich with cherry blossoms, home to a swaying bamboo forest (Sagano), and dotted with sacred shrines. Kyoto has an impressive 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including a magical moss temple (Saiho-ji), one of the world’s most celebrated Zen rock gardens (Ryoan-ji Temple), and a pavilion covered in gold (Kinkaku-ji Temple).
Florence, Italy
Like Paris, Florence is a trove of European cultural treasures. It’s the birthplace of the Renaissance, jam-packed with museums, dotted with architectural masterpieces, and home to 13th-century castles. Plus there are plenty of people who would argue that sampling Tuscan cuisine here in the region’s capital is not just a thing of beauty, but on par with a spiritual experience.
Adelaide, Australia
Find surf, sand dunes, and Art Deco architecture in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. In fact, you can experience all three, as well as Victorian architecture at Semaphore Beach, just 9 miles from the city center. Beyond the beach, Adelaide has rolling hills lush with high-quality grapes, making it the country’s wine capital. When not sipping an Australian cab, nature lovers can spot koalas and kangaroos on a hike in the Adelaide Hills.
San Miguel de Allende
Charming, enchanting, a jewel box of a town—these are all descriptors commonly attributed to San Miguel de Allende, the colonial-era city in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. It’s been voted the top city in the world twice and is in itself an UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its exquisite examples of 16th-century Spanish Colonial Baroque architecture. The town’s art festivals, galleries, and top-notch food scene also make it a beloved destination.
Singapore
This Southeast Asian city-state is filled with modern architectural marvels. You can experience one before even hitting baggage claim. The Jewel Changi Airport is home to the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, falling seven stories from a glass ceiling and surrounded by a lush greenhouse. Then there’s the ArtScience Museum that’s shaped like an oversized lotus flower, and the see-it-to-believe-it Marina Bay Sands building, which appears to have a cruise ship balancing atop three 55-story hotel towers.