The Most Unusual And Beautiful Cities In The World
The world is filled with incredibly beautiful cities. When we think about it, often the first ones that come to mind are New York City, London and Rome. While these are beautiful cities, we aren’t denying it, we want to highlight some other beautiful cities that don’t often get the limelight. This list of beautiful cities isn’t determined by us, this list is ranked by travel bloggers, writers and agencies. A Canadian travel website set out to make a comprehensive list of the 50 most beautiful cities. Here are a few that made the list but are the most unusual, less acclaimed and deserve to be in the spotlight.
Jaipur, India
A city awash in a technicolour of hues, Jaipur is included in the popular tourist circuit deemed the Golden Triangle. This also includes Delhi and Agra. The city has a nickname the “Pink City”. This originated in 1876. In order to welcome the Prince of Wales, the Maharaja Ram Singh had the entire old city painted pink in a show of hospitality, and it still stands today.
If you’ve got some extra cash, consider staying in the Presidential Suite at Raj Palace, currently available for a cool $45,000 a night — one of the most expensive hotel rooms in the world.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
This City is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean. It’s become a major destination for fans of the show “Game of Thrones,” as it doubles as King’s Landing in the show.
The stone walls that run 1.2 miles around the city date back to the 600s, while the winding streets of its Old Town are pedestrian-friendly (no cars allowed). Come for the epic Byzantine architecture, stay for the stony beaches and Photoshopped-blue waters.
Bergen, Norway
This postcard-pretty port city is surrounded by mountains, fjords and the famous timber wharf, Bryggen. Rows of brightly coloured cottages line the cobblestone streets, while the surrounding forested slopes are a hiker’s paradise.
While you’re there, check out the famous fish market for smoked fish and whale meat. Or ride the funicular to the top of Fløyen, one of the seven mountains surrounding Bergen. From there you’ll have a panoramic view of the harbour and fjords. But bring your umbrella. It’s statistically one of the wettest cities in Europe.
Queenstown, New Zealand
If you’re looking for adventure, head Down Under to the idyllic town of Queenstown. Surrounded by New Zealand’s longest lake, mountain ranges, and the Nevis Valley. This valley is home to one of the highest bungee jumps in the world. Therefore, Queenstown satisfies most adrenaline junkies.
That said, if you’d rather unwind than Whitewater raft, Queenstown is also a gateway to the wine-making region. Its high altitude and diverse climate make for perfect pinot noir varietals.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
This colonial-era town, about a 3.5-hour drive from Mexico City, has a little something for everyone. Its well-preserved baroque architecture can be found everywhere. This is thanks to UNESCO designating more than 100 acres of the small city a World Heritage Site in 2008. Since the early 20th century, San Miguel has enjoyed a Bohemian culture, thanks to the establishment of art schools as well as backpacking artists and writers flocking there.
For foodies, the picturesque city is considered a bit of a mecca for Mexican cuisine. Its street food scene deserves its own pilgrimage, while the seemingly endless good weather begs for daily al fresco dining.
Seoul, Korea
More than half the country’s population is packed into the capital of South Korea, making for a city full of sensory overload. If you want rest and relaxation, this cutting-edge metropolis may not be for you.
Whether you’re here to shop, karaoke or eat, the city has both neon-lit modern skyscrapers and some of the largest urban parks in the world. The mix of old and new cultures also shows up in the contemporary architecture, ancient palaces and Seoul’s four guardian mountains that surround them all.
San Sebastian, Spain
If eating food is your main mission, consider this beachy resort town full of Michelin-starred restaurants and picturesque plazas. The rugged Basque countryside surrounds a city full of public art, crumbling fortresses and tantalizing tapas.
Consider that the historic old city centre is considered the best nightlife spot in town, and you’ll see why it’s also the ideal city for strolling after sunset.
Quito, Ecuador
This city on the equator has the second-tallest capital in the world, located on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano. Being this high up means majestic vistas at every turn and high-altitude hiking that will (literally) take your breath away.
Dubai, UAE
Once a former fishing village and now the business hub of the Middle East, Dubai is a city of stark contrasts. While you might immediately picture opulent indoor shopping malls and some of the tallest buildings in the world, the surrounding desert’s epic landscapes make for a nice safari, while the beaches are pristine.
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Russia’s former imperial capital is a master class in opulent architecture. Dazzling domes, gold spires and medieval mosaics make for a city that sparkles, even when the snowy winters seem to last forever. The “city of palaces” only gets around 60-70 days of sunshine a year, so it makes sense that the ornate buildings are a feast for the senses. With its 40 canals and 400 bridges, Saint Petersburg is sometimes considered the “Venice of the North.”
After looking through this list, which cities will you be adding to your bucket list? My Travel Guy looks forward to assisting you with booking your dream trip to one of these unusual and beautiful destinations.
