We search for beauty in many forms-through art and architecture; water and mountain views; history and culture-and some places make this search extremely easy. This list of absolutely stunning places surrounds the globe, covering cities and towns that made us fall in love at first sight with their futuristic skyscrapers, tree-lined canals and colorful colonial buildings (among many other things). From Amsterdam to Queenstown, there are about 50 of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
You know the famous Amsterdam Central Canal, which in 2010 was rightfully included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Add to this green spaces, multi-storey red brick facades and museums filled with Van Gogh paintings, and you get one of the most magnificent cultural epicenters in Europe.
Venice, Italy
Nowhere on Earth is there anything like Venice: its canals, a maze of car-free cobbled streets and hidden passageways are ideal for walking.
Call a water taxi or a gondola to take a ride around the city and, if you have time, get out of the historic center and head to the city center.
Kyoto, Japan
Visiting the imperial capital of Japan is like taking a step back in time. About 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines are ready to receive visitors, and you may even notice a geisha walking through the green, artisan-lined streets of the city.
For those who are desperately looking for cherry blossoms, do not be afraid: The Kyoto Botanical Garden and the Philosophical Trail are among the most popular places in Japan.
Barcelona, Spain
You can't talk about Barcelona without mentioning Antonio Gaudi, the Catalan architect who left his mark all over the city.
A walk through the city will take you through its undulating stone and iron masonry, which includes the Park of Guell and culminates with its unfinished masterpiece La Sagrada Família. It's not just about the colorful mosaics: from the mountains to the beach, from the historical to the modern, sunny Barcelona pretty much has it all.
Sydney, Australia
It's almost unfair how good Sydney is. Australia's biggest city enjoys a coastal culture, with locals hopping on ferries to get home-or play-on Bondi, Manly and COOGEE beaches, and the dramatic Sydney Opera House standing guard in the harbour.
Beirut, Lebanon
The seaside glamour of Beirut rivals the glamour of any European Riviera, with chic beach clubs and rooftop bars, palm-lined embankments and hidden courtyards filled with bougainvilleas. But here, glossy high-rises side by side with centuries-old mosques and bazaars, giving the city a timeless appeal that you won't find anywhere else.
Lisbon, Portugal
You can't walk down a street in Lisbon without noticing something beautiful. You can admire the terracotta roofs of Alfama or the neoclassical architecture on the Prasa do Comercio promenade. But in fact, the visual appeal of Lisbon can be expressed in just three words: tile, tile, Tile.
Florence, Italy
There is no shortage of beautiful cities in Italy, but Florence remains unsurpassed in history, art and architecture. You will find traces of Renaissance aesthetics throughout the city, such as the striking Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) and the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella. Meanwhile, the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi remain important background photographs.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Despite the reputation of Copenhagen, famous for its ultra-modern restaurants and hotels, it has an ageless charm that makes you constantly come back. The quaint Tivoli gardens of the 1800s are a disgrace to all other amusement parks, while the bohemian commune of Christiania is a misty, green dreamland. And if you're wondering, yes: the coastal houses of Nykhavna are really so beautiful.
Krakow, Poland
It seems that every European city boasts a beautiful central square, but we would bet that the Krakow Glówny Market is among the best. The square is defined by its 15th-century town hall tower (which you can and should climb), and Wawel Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just a short walk away. Oh, and 40-odd city parks, of course, will not hurt the attractiveness assessment here.
Bruges, Belgium
With its cobbled streets and peaceful, tree-lined canals, it's not hard to see Bruges as one big fairy-tale landscape come to life. Much of the charm of the city lies in its immaculately preserved Old Town, built between the 12th and 15th centuries; sit down in a cafe next to the Markt (historic central square) and plan to linger for most of the day.
"Travel helps to understand the beauty of space and the pricelessness of time" (Georgy Alexandrov)
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