Many of us are only too familiar with the concrete jungles we spend much of our time living or working in. Some cities, however, truly stand out, perhaps for their cultural influence, unique cuisine or beautiful architecture.
Read on for a rundown of some of the most beautiful cities in the world to visit.
Top 10 beautiful cities in the world
- Lisbon, Portugal
- New York, USA
- Paris, France
- Tokyo, Japan
- London, UK
- Montreal, Canada
- Melbourne, Australia
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Lisbon, Portugal
Good food, inviting weather and beautiful historical attractions make it easy to spend an unforgettable few days exploring this delightful city. Why not take an exhilarating tram ride through impossibly steep cobbled streets? Considered one of the friendliest and safest cities in the world, the Portuguese capital is a charming hassle-free destination for any traveller.
In fact, 4.5 million people choose to visit each year and it is regularly voted among the top 10 most beautiful cities in the world.
New York, USA
Iconic and impressive, New York is a cultural hub unlike any other. With world-famous museums, an extensive arts scene and cuisines from around the world, New York will keep you occupied for days. Voted by its residents as the most diverse city in the world, make the most of its accepting nature and soak up the vibes of the city known as the Capital of the World.
New York, which is arguably the most beautiful city in the world, attracted 13.5 million foreign tourists in 2018.
READ: The safest countries to visit (and the most dangerous ones)
Paris, France
The city’s reputation as the city of romance is well earned, so is its spot on our list of the top 10 most beautiful cities in the world.
Whether you take a stroll along the banks of the Seine, sip on some Chateau Margaux or share a plate of macaroons, there’s love in the air. Top this off with world-class shopping, museums and art galleries, and it’s easy to see why Paris is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities to visit in the world.
Join the estimated 40 million tourists who visit it every year and see if you agree!
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is also among the most beautiful cities in the world, drawing millions of people every year. A record 30 million tourists visited Japan in 2018 and it was voted the city that most people wanted to visit in the world in 2019.
Explore the ‘electric town’ and anime central of Akihabara, or the rich traditional heritage of the Imperial Palace. Shop until you drop in Shibuya or bag a bargain in the quirky Takeshita Dori.
READ MORE: Discover Japan in our complete Japan Travel Guide
London, UK
Londoners love London. They love the culture, the food, the live music and the pubs. You’ll love all this and more. There’s the history, the royal palaces and the swathes of parkland that make London one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
From the alternative Camden Market to the pretty cobbled streets of Mayfair, there’s so many sides to London that you could visit many times and still never see them all. Around 30 million visitors come to London from other countries each year.
Montreal, Canada
A stalwart for creativity and individualism, Montreal is the place to head to see a city that’s proud of its diversity. The bonus is that it’s also extremely affordable to visit. With excellent hiking spots just a short drive away, mountains and rivers to test your kayaking skills on, Montreal is perfect for visitors who want to balance their city break with some pure mountain air.
Around 10 million tourists visit this inviting city each year.
Melbourne, Australia
Whilst Sydney’s famous harbor is the standard poster boy for Australia, its sister city Melbourne is the country’s less showy gem. Beaches and a striking coastline make this one of our top 10 most beautiful cities in the world.
Melbourne, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, is Australia’s, cultural heart. Take a wander down Degraves Street, see the tiny fairy penguins of Phillip Island, get caught up in the excitement of an Aussie Rules football game or drive down the awe-inspiring Great Ocean Road. The choice is yours! 34.7 million international and domestic visitors went to Melbourne last year.
READ MORE: Explore down-under with our Australia Travel Guide
Bangkok, Thailand
Humid, frenetic and loud, Thailand’s Bangkok is a bombardment of all the senses. Tantalise your taste buds at a sizzling street food stall, meander through the floating markets or sip on a cocktail at an elegant rooftop bar whilst marvelling at the sheer energy of this place. From Bangkok, you have easy access by plane or train and boat to Thailand’s paradise islands. Bangkok had a reported 22.8 million visitors in 2018.
READ MORE: All you need to know about the Land of Smiles in our Thailand Travel Guide
Istanbul, Turkey
The former seat of emperors, Istanbul, formerly known as Constantinople, is often billed as the place where East meets West. This enchanting city is the perfect blend of old and new. Visit vibrant bazaars, gorgeous mosques and palaces and crumbling Byzantine ruins.
Take a leisurely boat trip down the Bosphorus for a different perspective on this age-old centre of power and trade. 13.3 million visitors came to experience this melting-pot in 2018.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fun, friendly, party-loving and unforgettable, Rio is an adventurers’ dream, all packaged into a stunning setting. Relax on the beach or saunter through the bustling city centre, the toe-tapping samba beats a constant reminder that this is a city that lives to enjoy life.
A city that’s as famous for its natural wonders as the urban appeal, a visit to Rio should be a must for everyone at least once in their lifetime. 1.2 million tourists visited in 2018.
Visiting the most beautiful cities in the world
Take your pick from this colorful and varied list and get your plane seat booked to one of the most beautiful cities in the world!
