Colorful Travel: 10 Colorful Cities You Must Visit

The Most Colorful Cities in the World

I have this thing with colorful travel. I love finding the most colorful streets in cities all over the world. I’ve actually chosen destinations based on how colorful the city is. So I figured I’d put together this list of favorites for all the other color-lovers out there. I know there are many more colorful places that I’ve yet to explore, and I’m hoping to grow this list the more I travel.

Charleston, South Carolina

The Most Colorful Cities in the World

Charleston is my favorite city in the US (besides my hometown of Chicago of course). I had no expectations when visiting, but was blown away by its European charm. I love finding a little bit of Europe in the states. It’s a great city to explore by foot, eat everything coconut, and take a ton of colorful photos! The color in this city goes way beyond the famous Rainbow Row.

Read more: Charleston SC Weekend Getaway

Reykjavik, Iceland

The Most Colorful Cities in the World

People are usually surprised by how colorful Iceland’s capital is. I know I was! Considering how rough and dark Iceland’s winters can be, it’s refreshing to see so much color. The best view of this colorful city is definitely from the top of the Hallgrímskirkja church. But make sure to spend time wandering and capturing all the facades! It’s a small city so you don’t need more than a few days to see it all.

Read more: 48 Hours in Reykjavik Iceland

Washington D.C. 

The Most Colorful Cities in the WorldThe Most Colorful Cities in the World

Inspired by the amazing people of Instagram, I drove out to D.C. (okay, Jorge drove out to D.C.) to explore all the colorful neighborhoods. It’s yet another US city full of European charm, adorable storefronts, and tons of history.

Read more: Best Places to Take Pictures in D.C.

Paris, France

The Most Colorful Cities in the WorldThe Most Colorful Cities in the World

Rue Crémieux (first photo) is the most colorful street in Paris, and surely my favorite one in the whole city. And even though you don’t see that much color outside of Rue Crémieux, there are still plenty of storefronts, cafes, and doors offering up bursts of color throughout the other neighborhoods. 

Read more: 48 Hours in Paris

The Most Colorful Cities in the World

San Juan, Puerto Rico 

The Most Colorful Cities in the World

Oh, this incredibly vibrant city is definitely high on the list of color! Block after block of colorful homes ranging from pastels to bolder shades. Though I loved the architecture, the food and people truly won me over!!

Read more: Things to Do in Old San Juan Puerto Rico

The Most Colorful Cities in the World

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Most Colorful Cities in the World

Color everywhere you look! In the post I link below, I talk about all the different neighborhoods you can explore to find all the colorful facades. To top it all off, they have some of the most amazing food I’ve ever had. Beignets and banana foster french toast, anyone?

Read more: A Color Lovers Guide to New Orleans

The Most Colorful Cities in the World

Kinsale, Ireland

The Most Colorful Cities in the Worldsource: fashionedible.com

Kicking myself for not visiting Kinsale when I was in Ireland! I had no idea it existed or that it was this colorful. Thanks to Grace from FashionEdible, I learned that I really missed out on this gem and need to go back ASAP. If you’re taking a road trip through Ireland (please do, it’s amazing) and looking to add more colorful cities consider Cobh and Dingle. Dingle’s one of my favorite small towns! There’s way more than lush greens and gray skies in Ireland.

Read more by FashionEdible: Pictures of Ireland

Read more on Dingle: Put Dingle Ireland on Your List 

The Most Colorful Cities in the Worldsource: fashionedible.com

London, England

I was finally able to visit this beautiful city this past year. I love the architecture, the greenery, the vintage cars, everything London has to offer. There’s no shortage of color as you stroll through the mews. Definitely make your way over to the Notting Hill neighborhood as well. I’ve linked my personal *color-loving* walking map in the post below. Also, if you have extra time, definitely check out Bristol. It’s just 2.5 hours away from London and super colorful too.

Read more: 4 Days in London Guide

San Francisco, California

The Most Colorful Cities in the World

San Francisco is a city I visited before I started getting more into photography. I wish I had a blog post to show you all how colorful the city is! It’s such a beautiful place with some of the most stunning homes I’ve ever seen. For more San Fran photos I’d stalk @ckanani’s and @sophia.gb’s IG accounts.

The Most Colorful Cities in the Worldsource: instagram.com/ckanani

Burano, Italy

The Most Colorful Cities in the World

I recently wrote about this colorful island which then inspired me to put together this whole list of cities. Burano is every color lover’s dream. It’s literally bursting in color everywhere you turn and cannot be missed if you’re visiting Italy!

Read more: Italy’s Most Colorful Island

The Most Colorful Cities in the World

What are your favorite colorful cities? Please share in the comments so that my list can grow even more.

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30 Comments

  • Reply Ibtissam November 3, 2021 at 2:50 am

    I definitely agree with Paris – I lived there for four years and I feel like there’s something Instagrammable there at every corner. I just love the Rue Crémieux that you’ve shown. There’s ever more street art in the city too. I am French, and every time I go back home it’s just like there are more designs on the walls, and always more sculptures scattered around town – I love it!

  • Reply Mary OHalloran March 5, 2019 at 7:12 am

    I *ADORE* this site, Lily! So happy to discover you today as I research an upcoming trip to Los Angeles… Have you been to Rush Lane, in Toronto? A.K.A.”Graffiti Alley”, it’s a 3-block open-air gallery of legal graffiti art. A small sample (not my web site): https://raphnogal.com/toronto-engagement-photos/chillin-torontos-graffiti-alley This little window-seat spot is just the tip of the iceberg, one could spend hours here with a camera.
    Keep up the great work!! <3

    • Reply This Darling World March 5, 2019 at 11:06 am

      Thank you, Mary!! I have been to Toronto but not that specific area. Looks great! Will need to check it out next time I’m in Canada. 🙂

  • Reply Dani March 10, 2018 at 4:39 pm

    Love this! I too enjoy finding colorful places when I travel. You should check out Prague and Melbourne!

    • Reply This Darling World March 11, 2018 at 10:45 pm

      Thanks Dani!! I’ve actually been to Prague, beautiful place! Melbourne’s on the list, didn’t know it was colorful!

      • Reply Dani March 11, 2018 at 10:58 pm

        If you ever make it to Melbourne, check out Brighton Beach. The bath houses there are works of art!

  • Reply Louise March 10, 2018 at 2:37 pm

    Oh my gosh, I am in love!! I have a thing for color too, so this is giving me major wanderlust! Pinning this to the bucketlist 😉

  • Reply Mina March 10, 2018 at 1:41 pm

    Beautiful photos! And a great list of inspiration…
    Thank you for sharing

  • Reply Lea March 10, 2018 at 1:37 pm

    So many colorful places in this beautiful world! Have been to some of these and have a few on my list 😍😍

  • Reply Nailah Hayward March 10, 2018 at 1:01 pm

    It is grey and rainy here in LA today, so your post made my day! Loved all of the colors and I think I lived very close to where you took that DC shot (that was Georgetown, right?).

    • Reply This Darling World March 10, 2018 at 1:19 pm

      So glad to hear this Nailah 🙂 And yeah, I had one from Georgetown (loveee that area) and the others were from the other colorful neighborhoods. I think D.C. surprised me most of all (in a good way!)

  • Reply My Ticklefeet March 10, 2018 at 12:24 pm

    Soo Pretty! I love colorful and vibrant cities and happy to say I have visited 6 out of these 10, Yay! Need to head to the other four soon 🙂

    • Reply This Darling World March 10, 2018 at 1:18 pm

      Wow 6? That’s awesome!! Glad I made your list 4 cities longer 🙂

  • Reply xtralush March 10, 2018 at 12:19 pm

    I’m so happy to see so many of my favorite cities on this list. Including my hometown of San Francisco! Great post!

    • Reply This Darling World March 10, 2018 at 1:17 pm

      Thank you! 🙂 I love SF, need to go back with my better camera now lol.

  • Reply Clazz - An Orcadian Abroad March 10, 2018 at 12:01 pm

    Love these suggestions because there are quite a few that aren’t featured on other lists! That street in Paris looks AMAZING! And that place in Ireland which I’d never even heard of. I’m a sucker for colourful places. 🙂

    • Reply This Darling World March 10, 2018 at 1:16 pm

      So happy to hear this! I’ve read some of those lists and thought “there’s SO much more though!!” So I figured I should share what those are lol 🙂 Paris is so beautiful, and I’m so upset I didn’t get to visit Kinsale — definitely heading back for that!

  • Reply Ana - JauntingTrips.com March 10, 2018 at 11:40 am

    Lovely colorful post 🙂 I’ve only been to Paris and London from your list but for sure it’s a lot of travel inspiration to have 😉

    • Reply This Darling World March 10, 2018 at 1:15 pm

      Thank you Ana!! Can’t wait to finally visit London this year!

  • Reply kylieuk March 10, 2018 at 10:41 am

    Great list! Lots of different places I haven’t seen appear on other lists! Neal’s Yard in London is a cool colourful place to visit!

    • Reply This Darling World March 10, 2018 at 1:14 pm

      That’s the biggest compliment, glad they’re not on other lists. 🙂 I’ve seen Neal’s Yard on IG, definitely visiting that. Thanks so much, Kylie!

  • Reply serenaslenses March 10, 2018 at 9:54 am

    Can I just say that this is exactly what I’m looking for?! I’m always looking for colorful places to visit and this guide is perfect!

  • Reply EpicuriousPassport March 10, 2018 at 9:41 am

    This is so beautiful! Love it. Great List.

  • Reply Suz March 10, 2018 at 9:39 am

    This is an amazing collection of colour. Lots of ideas for some new adventures and theme for my travels!

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