Choosing the most beautiful cities in the world is a very difficult task, because every city, be it an “urban-type village” or a huge metropolis, has its own unique characteristics.
After reviewing tourist reviews and expert opinions on well-known resources such as The Telegraph, Rough Guides and TripAdvisor, we have selected 10 places that most fully express the beauty and diversity of cities in the world.
You will love our ratings:
10. Istanbul, Turkey
The number of Russian and foreign visitors to this city has plummeted as a result of terrorist attacks and unrest in Turkey. And it's a shame, because the capital of the former Ottoman Empire is incomparable.
Masterpieces created at the direction of powerful Turkish rulers include the Topkapi Palace, where the sultans lived, as well as their eunuchs and slaves, and the Sultanahmet Mosque (aka the Blue Mosque), one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture.
But what makes Istanbul a tourist wonder is the revival of once seedy neighborhoods and transforming them into thriving communities. For example, the Karakoy area, once a port outskirts of the city, is now home to luxury boutique hotels and art galleries. There is also a maritime museum, a museum of modern art and a "Jewish Museum" with 500 years of history.
Top reasons to visit Istanbul:
- Istanbul is the only transcontinental city in the world, located on two continents - Europe and Asia. They are separated by the Bosphorus Strait.
- Istanbul is a land of architectural wonders. The most famous of these is the Hagia Sophia, a former Byzantine church that has become a museum. It was built in the 4th century.
- This is one of the places where you can see the most beautiful sunset in the world.
- In springtime, visitors to Istanbul can admire over 20 million tulips in bloom.
- With over 4,000 shops, the Grand Bazaar is one of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world.
9. Luang Prabang, Laos
In 1995, this city was awarded the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to which the tourist flow poured there. The city authorities disposed of the money received from tourists very wisely, using it for the restoration of ancient buildings and temples.
The beauty of Luang Prabang is not only due to the ancient, carefully preserved architecture, but also to the extraordinary framing of the lush jungle at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers.
This small coastal town is adorned with 33 gold-carved temples that stand proudly among dense forests and fog. It is also important that Luang Prabang now houses some of the best hotels and French restaurants in the world.
Top reasons to visit Luang Prabang:
- Swimming in one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world - Kuang Si.
- Watching the feeding of the monks on the main street at dawn (at 6 am) is one of the oldest urban traditions.
- Visit the evening food market that opens at sunset in the alley between the tourist information center and Wat Mai.
- A walk through the Old City with cozy streets and an interesting mix of styles: from Buddhist and Laotian to colonial French.
8. Florence, Italy
How can the most beautiful cities in the world do without the Italian city, which bears the title of "cradle of the Renaissance"? Every year, its streets are filled with millions of tourists, but despite this, Florence will always be shrouded in an aura of romance. Interestingly, this city contains about one third of all the treasures of world art.
Top reasons to visit Florence:
- Among all the art galleries in Florence, the Uffizi Gallery is the most outstanding in terms of the number of exhibits. It is also the most visited art gallery in Italy. It contains works of art such as Giotto's Madonna of Onissanti, Raphael's Madonna with the Goldfinch and Simone Martini's Annunciation.
- Florence is the first place in Europe to have paved streets.
- Florence Cathedral, built between 1296 and 1436, is a World Heritage Site and a major attraction in Florence. Its bright red dome was designed by Italian architect Filippo Brunelleschi and is the hallmark of the city.
7. Jerusalem
This city - a sacred site for three religions - has been inhabited since 4000 BC. The holiest site for Jews and the third holiest for Muslims is the Temple Mount with its shimmering gold Dome of the Rock. On the territory of the mountain were the First, and after it the Second Jerusalem Temple - the center of the religious life of the Jews. Here, according to legend, the Third Temple will also be located.
A huge number of ancient sights and holy places, the atmosphere of everyday and spiritual make Jerusalem a unique city on Earth.
Top reasons to visit Jerusalem:
- The Church of the Holy Sepulcher is the place of the crucifixion, and then the burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is considered the main altar of the world.
- Mount Zion is the Jewish symbol of the Promised Land. Here are attractions such as the tomb of King David, the Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter and the chamber of the Last Supper.
- Garden of Gethsemane - Jesus spent his last night in prayer here in prayer. The garden also houses the tomb of the Virgin and the Church of Mary Magdalene.
- The Wailing Wall is a place for the prayers of the Jews. Between the stones in the Wall, there are thousands of notes with various requests. It is believed that they will definitely reach the Almighty.
6. Edinburgh, Scotland
The city is famous for its annual international festival, but it has something more - natural beauty. One has only to head east of the city and take a short walk up to Arthur's throne - the highest of the seven hills on which Edinburgh rests - to enjoy the magnificent panorama of the city and understand why the capital of Scotland is among the top 10 most beautiful cities in the world.
Top reasons to visit Edinburgh:
- The Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the oldest in the UK. It contains over 6% of plants growing on the globe.
- The Royal Mile is the heart of the city, the place where you can see one of the worst women in the world and visit many shops.
- National Scottish Museum, which contains about 800 exhibits, including the oldest color television in the world and samples collected by Charles Darwin himself during his journey in the Beagle.
- Edinburgh Castle, home to the Stone of Destiny. English and Scottish monarchs were crowned on it. Films about Harry Potter were also filmed here.
5. Rio de Janeiro
Cheerful and noisy, Rio is simply made for those who love everything bright and pompous. It hosts the biggest holiday in the country, which is eagerly awaited by both locals and visitors.
However, this city is famous not only for holidays. From the statue of Jesus to the Tijuca woodland, the Brazilian metropolis showcases natural and man-made beauty in abundance.
Top reasons to visit Rio:
- Christ the Redeemer, located 700 meters high on the Corcovado Mountains, is Rio de Janeiro's most famous landmark and icon of Christianity. This 30-meter statue with outstretched arms is one of the seven new wonders of the world.
- The Rio Carnival is the largest carnival on the planet. The grand festival starts 40 days before Easter and lasts for five days. The event attracts over 2 million visitors annually from all over the world. About 200 samba schools (a genre of Brazilian music and dance) participate in it.
- Copacabana Beach with its white sand and turquoise water is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
- The Tijuca Forest is one of the largest urban forests in the world. It protects hundreds of plants and animals. Visitors can hike up to the highest peak of the forest, Pico da Tijuca (1,021 meters high).
4. Havana, Cuba
This city combines the fading glamor of the mid-20th century: big American cars, the smell of gasoline filling the air and beautiful hotels with crumbling colonial buildings that bring sadness to the sight. Havana is an idiosyncrasy that attracts and frustrates in equal measure, where wonderfully well-kept and informative museums, the 18th-century Cathedral of the Virgin Mary and timber-window pharmacies coexist with contemporary art shops, paladars (home restaurants) and townhouses.
Top reasons to visit Havana:
- Enjoy Caribbean, Spanish and Latin American cuisine at the renowned Los Nardos Havana restaurant with live music and affordable prices (average $ 5 per meal).
- Selfie in front of the National Capitol - a kind of Cuban version of the Washington Capitol. Only the Cuban is slightly higher and richer in the interior.
- Walk along the Cienaga square, where the beautiful Cathedral of Saint Christopher is located - both sites are on the World Heritage List.
3. Kyoto, Japan
Having been the center of Japanese culture for hundreds of years, and surrounded by picturesque mountains covered with lush greenery, Kyoto is one of the most amazing cities in the world. If Tokyo amazes tourists with high-speed trains, neon flashes and skyscrapers, then life in Kyoto takes a different, more relaxed rhythm. During the Second World War, the city was spared from bombing and today it still houses 2,000 Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.
Top reasons to visit Kyoto:
- In the Gion area, you can admire the geisha and their maiko students trotting through the streets to one of the teahouses.
- Follow in the footsteps of Nishida Kitaro, the city's most famous thinker, and try to unravel the mysteries of the universe on a meditative walk along the Path of the Philosopher. This walking path starts at Ginkaku-ji Temple and runs in close proximity to Shinto shrines and temples. It becomes especially beautiful when the cherry trees on either side of the path are in bloom.
- If you are tired of the numerous temples in Kyoto, then the International Manga Museum will dispel the boredom. It offers a crash course in everything Japanese comics and boasts the world's largest collection of manga.
2. Suzhou, China
This city is often called the "Venice of the East". Its gardens are World Heritage Sites and are known as masterpieces of classical Chinese garden design. For the Chinese, they reflect the deep metaphysical significance of natural beauty.
Top reasons to visit Suzhou:
- The humble official's garden is the largest of Suzhou's gardens. It contains about 700 dwarf trees and 48 buildings. A visit to the garden will cost 90 yuan.
- Tiger Hill, 36 meters high, is believed to contain the tomb of Emperor He Lu, who lived in the 6th century BC.
- Temple of Confucius - located to the north of another city attraction - Panmen Gate.
1. Venice, Italy
From the Venice of the East we move on to the true Venice of 118 tiny islands connected by bridges.There are no highways and this is one of the things that make the city unique. Water buses and gondolas (traditional Venetian rowing boats) are the main ways to get to your destination.
Top reasons to visit Venice:
- Taking a gondola ride on the Grand Canal is the best way to enjoy the beauty of Venice. The Grand Canal is an S-shaped 3.8 km long canal that runs through the city.
- Apart from canals and gondolas, Venice is also famous for its unique architectural style called Venetian Gothic. The best example is the Doge's Palace.
- Of the 139 churches, St. Mark's Basilica is the most famous and beautiful Venetian church. 85,000 square feet of mosaics were used to create her interior.