25 Most Beautiful Cities in the World

Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, but there are certainly some cities around the world that are stunning — whether classically (think Paris) or because of their diversity and chaos (NYC comes to mind). Some have immaculately preserved heritage architecture while others look out onto azure water. Many have world-class museums and restaurants. What all 25 of the world’s prettiest cities have in common is that they make visitors go wow. Whether you’re looking for the most beautiful city in the USA or somewhere further-flung, here’s where to go.

• Best tourist destination: Sydney, Australia
• Underrated hidden gem: Tbilisi, Georgia
• Best for families: Singapore
• Best for couples: Paris, France
• Best for solo travelers: Hội An, Vietnam

While this list is by no means exhaustive, consider it a starting point for planning your trip.

Sydney, Australia

Sunny Sydney practically sparkles with its yacht-filled harbor, golden beaches, lush parks and gardens, and overall cleanliness. Take a boat tour to see the Harbour Bridge and iconic Sydney Opera House — a symbol of Australia’s oldest and biggest city and the continent itself. Take one of the city’s wealth of picturesque coastal walks and visit truly great beaches. Queenscliff Beach, at the northern headland of well-known Manly Beach, has a wide stretch of clean sand, pro-surfer-approved waves, a 164-foot rockpool, and a lagoon. You can get here by taking a lovely ferry ride from Darling Harbour or Circular Quay to Manly.

Tbilisi, Georgia

Though it’s somewhat unknown and under-appreciated, Georgia’s capital is nothing short of fairy-tale material. Tbilisi’s old town is a joy to explore, with carved wooden balconies overlooking sleepy courtyards and cobbled streets lined with wine bars and traditional restaurants. Stop in for a meal of khinkali (meat dumplings), khachapuri (Georgia’s famous “cheese boat”), and local wine. Hike or brave the funicular up to Narikala Fortress — originally built in the 13th century, destroyed in the 19th, and rebuilt in 1997 — and relish the views of Tbilisi and the encircling Caucasus Mountains. 

Singapore

Singapore is truly a feast for the senses. Its skyline is defined not just by futuristic high rises, but also by surreal “supertrees,” undulating glass domes, and a 540-foot Ferris wheel. Neighborhoods like Chinatown, Kampong Glam (the Arab Quarter), and Little India and a head-spinning street food scene celebrate the city-state’s multicultural past and present. Colorful food streets and hawker centers are packed with stalls slinging everything from roasted pork rice and Malaysian fried noodles to honey lime juice and sweet icy cendol (rice flour jelly with coconut milk). Go on a digestive stroll along Marina Bay’s illuminated waterfront or in the Botanic Gardens and Gardens by the Bay (which has two excellent playgrounds).

Paris, France

We can’t talk about the world’s most beautiful cities without mentioning Paris. In the City of Light, there’s something to make the heart go aflutter around every corner, be it an iconic monument, a cozy sidewalk cafe tightly packed with chic Parisians, or a proud boulevard lined with creamy stone Haussmann-era buildings. Everywhere you turn in Paris are beautifully curated displays, whether a patisserie’s glass cases full of colorful macarons or the exhibitions of the city’s many museums.

Hội An, Vietnam

Hội An is a little jewel of a coastal canal city and one of Vietnam’s most beautiful places to visit. Its amazingly preserved old town (a UNESCO World Heritage site) feels practically untouched by the modern age. The city harbors more than 1,000 historic timber-frame houses, as well as sacred temples, pagodas, and a 17th-century Japanese bridge. One of the first things you’ll notice is that many buildings are painted a rich golden yellow, and although there’s no definitive answer for why this color is everywhere, it’s a shade associated with prosperity and royalty. Streets strung with lanterns and heavily traversed by cyclists further add to the beauty of Hội An. Join the locals and go on a bike ride, or opt for a cooking class, riverboat ride, tea at a cafe, a beach day, or a trip to the tailor for expert bespoke clothing.

Barcelona, Spain

Covered food markets, snug tapas bars, and golden-sand Mediterranean beaches draw upwards of 15 million visitors annually to Catalonia’s colorful capital. So too does its modernist architecture; the city is practically synonymous with Catalan modernist architect Antoni Gaudí whose works La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell are must-visits. Add to that ample sunshine (339 hours per month on average), 9 p.m. dinners (if you’re an early bird), and leisurely strolling or people-watching on busy plazas and you have one of the world’s prettiest cities.

Queenstown, New Zealand

New Zealand‘s breadth of natural wonders makes the country itself absolutely stunning, and the “adventure capital of the world,” Queenstown is the ultimate playground for all things outdoors. Whatever your speed, this city has it: hiking (heli-hiking for the deeply venturesome), skiing, skydiving, rafting, winery-hopping, and cruising the Milford Sound are just a few examples of activities on offer. Queenstown is built around a finger of Lake Wakatipu, a glacial lake whose reflection of the surrounding mountain range — fittingly named the Remarkables — makes the scene all the more stunning.

Istanbul, Turkey

If you’ve already been to Rome, Paris, and Barcelona, consider flying eastward to Istanbul. Travel + Leisure named it one of the best places to travel in 2024, and for good reason — the city is an intoxicating jumble of domed mosques with intricate mosaics, Ottoman-era palaces, maze-like markets, and hilly cobblestoned streets where you might run into a bar party spilling down the block. The food scene stretches way beyond the ubiquitous kebab; the mezze and grilled seafood are out of this world, and the city’s coffeehouse culture goes into the wee hours of the morning. 

San Francisco, California

San Francisco’s geography alone secures its spot on this list. Set on a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, the steep-streeted city offers beautiful hilltop views of skyscrapers, bridges, mountains, and the surrounding water. The Golden Gate Bridge, Painted Ladies, and cable cars (first used by locals to get around town in the 1870s) are instantly recognizable emblems of the city, but the less-obvious magic is everywhere: in the old-school Italian delis of North Beach, the dim sum parlors of Chinatown, and revitalized green spaces across the city (see: Presidio Tunnel Tops, a 14-acre park above highway tunnels, which opened in 2022).

Palermo, Italy

Sicily’s dynamic, decadent, sun-soaked capital is a dream for architecture buffs, foodies, and all lovers of life. You might think Italy’s biggest opera house would be in Rome or Milan, but it’s here. Teatro Massimo’s copper dome will be recognizable to The White Lotus fans from its appearance in season two. Palermo’s striking gold-stone cathedral is one of the city’s many Arab-Norman structures that date to the Norman kingdom of Sicily (1130-1194). Head to its rooftop to see the ancient city’s terracotta skyline tumbling down toward the Tyrrhenian Sea. 

It’s the pulse of life that truly makes Palermo a beautiful place: whirring mopeds, swaying palms, twosomes strolling arm in arm down centuries-old streets. Don’t miss the souk-like maze of the Ballarò street market, where Palermitani buy bagfuls of almonds, olives, spices, and tomatoes the color of rubies. As afternoon turns to early evening, settle in for an Aperol spritz or earthy nero d’Avola on the Piazza Caracciolo and watch the night unfold.

Cape Town, South Africa

Perched between iconic flat-topped Table Mountain and the Atlantic, Cape Town could get by on just its looks alone. Its heavy helping of natural beauty draws in visitors who stay for its bevy of activities. For the adrenaline-fueled, there’s diving with sharks and hiking Table Mountain (a more low-key way to reach its peak is the cable car.) For leisurely fun, swim or sip cocktails on celeb-loved Camps Bay Beach, or bike along Sea Point Promenade. When it comes to food and wine, visitors are spoiled for choice; Cape Town’s restaurants run from waterfront seafood spots to hidden-gem dim sum bars, and lauded wine region Stellenbosch is just 45 minutes from the city center.

Seoul, South Korea

A vibrant food and nightlife scene, urban green spaces, and cutting-edge everything have thrown Seoul into the upper ranks of T+L readers’ favorite Asian cities. The past and present live side by side, with electrifying party districts, ancient palaces, an ultra-modern subway system, Buddhist temples, skyscrapers, and street markets all sharing the urban footprint. Nature is never hard to find in this fast-paced neon metropolis: beautifully landscaped parks along the Cheonggyecheon Stream and Han River, mountain hiking trails, and free outdoor gyms offer a peaceful respite for locals always on the move.

Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena rakes in visitors with its winning mix of Caribbean beaches and islands and a walkable (and extremely photogenic) old town. The UNESCO-listed walled old city is one of the most splendidly preserved in South America. Bougainvilleas burst from the balconies of buildings painted coral, cobalt, fuchsia, and bright marigold. 

A day well spent is heading to the beach or simply people-watching in the squares, sampling grilled arepas, coconut cookies, fresh fruits, and other Colombian delights from street vendors. At night, let the sounds of live salsa music lead you to a festive watering hole and its house band.

Kyoto, Japan

Lovely, low-rise Kyoto is the antidote to sprawling, daunting Tokyo. The city packs a big punch on the UNESCO World Heritage front — it has 17 sites, including temples, shrines, and the famous Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji). Cherry, plum, and willow trees spill toward Kyoto’s riverbanks and lanterns illuminate tiny beguiling alleys lined with wooden teahouses. The Gion district in the evening is extra magical.

Visit the tranquil Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji) and its superb gardens early in the morning and continue a short way up the mountain for a beautiful view of the city. For more serenity, step into a Studio Ghibli scene come to life at Moss Temple (Kokedera aka Saihō-ji), which requires advance reservations.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Gorgeous, dramatic, and always abuzz, Rio de Janeiro seduces with its stunning mountains, legendary beaches, samba street parties, and beautiful people. Brazil’s second-largest city is home to celebrated Ipanema and Copacabana beaches and the largest Art Deco statue in the world — the 98-foot-tall Christ the Redeemer standing atop Corcovado mountain — accessed by a steep railway. 

Beyond world-famous beaches and jungle-covered peaks, Rio’s beauty is on full display in parks and gardens (the protected rain forest in Parque Nacional da Tijuca has waterfalls, caves, and knockout vistas, while the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro is a tropical oasis bursting with sun-loving flora and fauna, including 134 soaring imperial palms). Head to charming, artsy Santa Teresa for cafe life and boutique shopping and Gamboa and Saúde for street art and samba beats, or lounge poolside at one of Rio de Janeiro’s luxurious hotels.

Rome, Italy

Think of Rome as an open-air museum showcasing nearly three millennia of sumptuous art and architecture. Get lost in the city’s tangle of meandering alleys, hidden piazzas, and imperial streets and come up with your own golden ratio: Say, for every impossible-to-fathom world wonder — be it the all-mighty Roman Forum or St. Peter’s Basilica — stop for a creamy gelato, a life-giving bowl of carbonara, or an Aperol spritz. In summer, when the heat finally breaks, find the perfect perch to watch la passeggiata, the parade of dapper locals out and about on their evening stroll.

London, England

London is a rich, decadent layer cake of history. The Middle Ages, the Victorian era, and the modern world coexist in England’s capital: medieval landmarks such as Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London rub shoulders with Trafalgar Square and other icons of the Victorian age, with big, busy, 21st-century London bustling all around. Aesthetes delight in the Gothic, Baroque, and Elizabethan buildings, the rich collection of museums and art galleries, colorful street markets, and sumptuous gardens and green spaces like Hyde, St. James’s, and Regent’s parks. And although London is among the most expensive cities on this list, there are a surprising number of free- and low-cost things to do here, including visiting most museums.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Cosmopolitan, captivating Buenos Aires is a marriage of European flair and Latin flavor. If the weather is nice, smell the roses, look for green and yellow parrots, and take out a pedalo at Bosques de Palermo. See the balcony from which Eva Perón addressed her fans at the distinctively rosy-hued Casa Rosada, and refuel with a cortado and cake in a bar notable (a historic cafe, such as the 1850s Café Tortoni). The Argentinian capital is a city of proud mansions inspired by Paris’ Haussmann buildings, foodie hangouts — steakhouses, yes, but also plant-based eateries — and street markets and shopping arcades. Buenos Aires is the birthplace of tango, and it’s unthinkable to visit without catching a seductive show performed to live music.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Many movies and TV shows have benefitted from Dubrovnik’s cinematic good looks: Game of Thrones famously tops the list, but there are also little productions by the name of Succession and Star Wars. And long before the city’s beauty caught the eye of Hollywood, UNESCO named Dubrovnik’s old City a World Heritage site. It’s easy to cover ground in the so-called “Pearl of the Adriatic”. The old town’s charming, compact, and traffic-free streets are lined with practically mint-condition medieval buildings, including the Gothic-Renaissance Rector’s Palace and the town’s thick stone walls — one of the best preserved medieval fortifications in the world.

Sedona, Arizona

If you’re looking to get your spiritual house in order, Sedona is the place to be. The Arizona desert town is surrounded by a spectacular red-rock landscape — buttes and canyons with a near-magical rosy glow. Go on a guided vortex tour to experience Sedona’s famous healing energy, or cruise Oak Creek Canyon Scenic Drive, within Coconino National Forest, for postcard-perfect views. Then, head back to town to shop for crystals, browse art galleries, get a tarot reading, and unwind during a chakra-balancing, aura-cleansing spa session. Come nightfall, grab a blanket and look up; a city-wide move to reduce light pollution means Sedona offers some epic stargazing.

Chefchaouen, Morocco

Morocco’s “Blue Pearl” is a bit of a no-brainer here. Tucked below the soaring Rif Mountains, the city is washed with the most spellbinding shade of blue. The main draw here is wandering the city’s cobalt alleyways (bonus points for color coordinating; even the most selfie-averse travelers are going to want to take photos). About 45 minutes outside of town are the Cascades d’Akchour, where a three-mile hike brings you to waterfalls whose pools are popular among local families during the summer months. Back in Chefchaouen, watch the sunset from the so-called Spanish Mosque, built in the 1920s by the Spanish, never used, and today a great vantage point over the medina.

Taipei, Taiwan

Get the lay of the land in Taiwan’s capital city from atop Taipei 101 — one of the tallest skyscrapers on the planet — where an 89th-floor observatory offers gorgeous views of the city and its surrounding lush green mountains. Then, descend to street level to visit tranquil temples, flower markets, shopping streets, and alleyways and night markets lined with food stalls. For a dose of Taiwan’s natural beauty, hike Elephant Mountain (a.k.a. Xiangshan) or admire the green forests, hot springs, and flowers — including cherry blossoms, azaleas, and calla lilies — at Yangmingshan National Park.

Edinburgh, Scotland

An ancient city set on a dramatic landscape of extinct volcanoes and anchored by a grand, Acropolis-like castle? Yes, Edinburgh sure is a stunner. When your quads need a break from the city’s hills, take a breather in one of the many parks and squares or pop into a pub for fortifying steak-and-ale pie and a smooth Scottish stout. Attention summer travelers: Edinburgh Fringe, the biggest arts festival in the world, descends upon the city every August. If you’re traveling then, it’s essential to book a hotel in Edinburgh really far in advance.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

San Miguel de Allende is the uncontested queen of Mexico’s central highlands (though you could call Guanajuato and Aguascalientes her ladies in waiting) and was T+L readers’ favorite Mexican city in 2024. The beautiful maze of cobbled alleys, cool courtyards, and buildings in Spanish colonial, Baroque, neoclassical, and neo-Gothic styles combine to create a postcard-perfect backdrop. Don’t miss the grand Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, the gorgeous pink 19th-century neo-Gothic church that’s splashed across countless brochures and travel photos.

New York City, New York

It’s the chaos and diversity that make NYC beautiful. Stratospheric buildings stand across Manhattan, from the 104-story World Trade Center (the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere) to the iconic Empire State Building. Architectural treasures truly are found across the five boroughs, like the Greek Revival Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum in the Bronx and Prospect Park’s 1905 Beaux Arts style boathouse. For museums, the choice is yours: mummies and Monets at the Met, Warhol’s soup cans and “The Starry Night” at MoMA, or period rooms and “The Dinner Party” at Brooklyn Museum. Like London, NYC can be eye-wateringly expensive, but one of the best free things to do in New York City is visit Central Park, one of the prettiest places in town.