There are many attempts to make the top of the most beautiful cities in the world. Every year, various magazines, travel agencies, travelers write their own ratings, and they always differ from each other. Although there are, of course, unconditional favorites that fall into any list. We will try to compile a summary of the top 10 beautiful cities in the world. He does not claim to be the ultimate truth, but represents the opinion of most people who like to visit different corners of the globe.
Rating Features
Having decided to make the top of the most beautiful cities in the world, you can face a big problem: there are many cities, but the list is limited. Any ratings should be based on some objective criteria. But what are the common indicators of beauty? Style? Diversity? Historical and cultural significance? But there is still the atmosphere of the city, charm. How to evaluate all this? The surest way is to ask people who have seen different cities in the world. Of course, their opinions will differ, and sometimes very much, but in general, surveys help to identify the majority opinion, and this is a fairly reliable way of finding the truth.
Our list includes only 10 beautiful cities in the world, and this is negligible. Since any settlement has its own face, and for someone, it may seem the most beautiful. Outside of our list there are undoubtedly magnificent cities: Florence, Istanbul, Brugge, Budapest, Cape Town, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro and many others. But this is the fault of all ratings, it is impossible to grasp the immensity. Here is our version of the list with the justification of why this city entered the top, and what you must see in it.
10. London
Let's start our list of the most beautiful cities in the world with the main city of the British Empire. London is a city of unique history, with an original architectural image and a unique atmosphere. A special energy reigns in it: youth and maturity, money, art, irony, imperial history.
The main charm of London - in its infinite variety. It really has everything: the majestic Parliament, Buckingham Palace, cozy Notting Hill, Stylish Chelsea, Bohemian Soho, the grandiose St. Paul's Cathedral, modern city towers. This is only the most superficial look at the advantages of the city.
The obligatory city program includes the following attractions:
- Big Ben. The clock on the Parliament Tower has long been the main symbol of London. Guides can tell many stories from the life of watches, bells and towers. The Neo-Gothic Parliament building with elegant spiers, towers and lancet window openings was built in the second half of the 19th century.
- Buckingham Palace. The royal family home is the epitome of monarchy. On holidays, from the balcony of the palace, the people are greeted by the queen with the heirs. And on weekdays it is worth looking at the changing of the guard and taking pictures of famous guardsmen in tall bear caps and red uniforms.
- Tower. The fortress, built in the 11th century, was a palace, a prison, a museum, and a place of treasure storage. She retained her historical appearance with almost no changes and it is necessary to go into it in order to plunge into the atmosphere of ancient history and mystery.
And you also need to walk around London, go to the British Museum and the Tate Gallery, wander around the streets of the City, lie on the lawn in Hyde Park, take a boat to Greenwich, climb up to the height of London Eye.
9. Prague
In our rating of the most beautiful cities in the world, it is impossible not to include the capital of the Czech Republic. Almost everyone who has been here falls in love with the city forever. The reason for this is the unique historical center that was formed in the Middle Ages, and today it immerses in an era of mysticism and mystery.
The city consisted of two independent settlements and now these are two distinctive districts: the Old Place with the Town Hall Square and houses decorated with signs in medieval traditions, and Mala Strana, which lies at the foot of the majestic Prague Castle. The Royal House, Prague Castle, is today Europe's largest operating government residence. Here you must definitely visit the St. Witt Cathedral, whose towers are hardly placed in the camera’s lens, go inside and admire the stained glass windows and Gothic decoration. To the right of the cathedral there is a small side street, Zlata street. Here jewelers and writer Franz Kafka once lived in dollhouses, whom the Prague Castle inspired to write the mystical novel “Castle”.
The famous Charles Bridge with Gothic coastal towers and magnificent sculptures connects the two sides of the city and the two banks of the Vltava. You also need to see in Prague the colossal Wenceslas Square, furnished with Art Nouveau houses, take a walk to the New Place and its Town Hall, look at two St. Nicholas Cathedrals on each side, go up to the beautiful example of Baroque architecture and an excellent observation deck - Strakhov Monastery, take a walk along the promenade, finding a dancing house and little Venice on the river Chertovka. And, of course, walk and walk around Prague, exploring houses and absorbing the atmosphere.
8. Hong Kong
Listing the beautiful cities of the world, it is worth recalling the stunning Hong Kong. It miraculously combines the traditions of Asia and the East, history and modernity. This city on 260 islands has been a British colony for over 100 years. In the 2nd half of the 20th century, it experienced rapid economic growth and became the real financial capital of Asia. Today, Hong Kong is largely a city of the future, although many national traditions are preserved here. There is something to see in this city.
It is a must to look at Victoria Peak - this is the highest point of the city, it offers a fantastic view. For the sake of completeness, it is best to climb a mountain on an old tram funicular. Hong Kong is a city of skyscrapers, today there are more than 300 such structures, many of which are real masterpieces of architecture. Tourists should definitely see the statue of a sitting Buddha, which is one of the ten tallest sculptures in the world. The beauty of the city is created not only by buildings, but also by the most beautiful parks: Kowloon, Hong Kong, Ocean, and also embankments with stunning views of the city panorama. And in Hong Kong there are several temples and monasteries that shake with their elegant traditional oriental look.
7. Barcelona
Choosing the most beautiful cities in the world, many people remember the capital of Catalonia. Barcelona appeared in the 3rd century BC. But her modern beauty, of course, of later times.
The heart of the city is the Gothic Quarter; it has retained its appearance since the 14th century. Life is in full swing, today there are many restaurants, shops, bars. But the spirit of the Middle Ages is preserved, and the cathedral plays an important role in this. Gothic spiers of the temple, its stained-glass windows are an excellent example of architecture of the late Middle Ages. The “new” part of the city is a unique example of urban development. Under Queen Isabella, the ancient walls were destroyed and a new city was laid with a clear linear structure. This Eixample district is today the most prestigious and respectable in the city.
There is an incredible number of houses in the style of Catalan Art Nouveau, as well as the famous buildings of the architect Antonio Gaudi, for which millions of tourists come here. The main buildings of the architect are the unfinished, grandiose cathedral of Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family), the houses of Mila and Batlló, the palace and Park Guell. But besides this, there are many beautiful places in Barcelona. This is the square of Spain with the monumental building of the Museum of Art, a former bullring and a “singing” fountain, this is Ramblai Street, Grazia Boulevard, Montjuic Hill with an ancient fortress, a river port, an area of the Olympic Village. You will not see Barcelona in one day, it is worthy of a great and deep immersion.
6. St. Petersburg
The northern capital of Russia, undoubtedly, should be included in the top of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its historic center is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The most beautiful cities in the world (photo attached) are always distinguished by special architecture. The historical center of the city was planned by the emperor Peter the Great. Inspect St. Petersburg should begin with the Peter and Paul Fortress - the heart of the city. And then you can go to the other side of the Neva. Be sure to take a walk from the end of Nevsky Prospekt to its very beginning, to the Admiralty. The walk will allow you to see a large number of palaces of the aristocracy, Anichkov and Zeleny bridges, Kazan Cathedral, and, finally, go to Admiralteysky Prospekt, and from there to Palace Square.
Then you can stroll to St. Isaac's Cathedral and the Bronze Horseman, wander along the embankments, walk to the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood and Mikhailovsky Palace. A special look at the beauty of St. Petersburg opens from the water. Therefore, it is worth taking a boat ride and see the majestic and ceremonial city. Since the Northern capital is included in the list of the 10 most beautiful cities in the world on the water, bridges are of particular importance here, many of which are real masterpieces of architectural and engineering thought. The most mystical and difficult character of the city opens during the White Nights, when an amazing light reigns here, giving a romantic touch to all the buildings.
5. Paris
Describing the most beautiful cities in the world, the top 10 of which we make, it is impossible to ignore the capital of France. More than once poets, writers, and artists have written about her beauty. “Gray Rose, ” as M. Voloshin called Paris, strikes with elegance and style. The city is ideal for romantic walks, for a leisurely promenade. The compulsory program in the French capital begins, of course, with Notre Dame de Paris. This is the heart of the city, from this place once a city was born. The second thing everyone who wants to see in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. She is the most photographed object in the world, you can admire her lace silhouette both day and night, and she is extremely photogenic.
The third most important object is the Louvre with its glass pyramids. But the beauty of Paris is not limited to these attractions. To feel his charm you need to walk around Tuileries Park, walk to the Arc de Triomphe, walk along the embankments, looking at bridges and houses, get to the perfect Place des Vosges, look into the Palais Royal. Stop at the Conciergerie's Palace, see the House of the Disabled, Pantheon, the Garnier Opera House. The Montmartre district with its cabaret, restaurants, artists in the square, the Sacre Coeur Cathedral and the funicular deserves special attention. The charm of this area is beyond words, it needs to be felt. Emotions of a completely different kind are caused by the modern and technological district of De Fans skyscrapers, while walking there, it is even hard to believe that this is Paris.
4. Amsterdam
The capital of the Netherlands is a special city, it does not hit the eyes with brightness and does not shock the scale of the structures. But Amsterdam should undoubtedly be included in the ranking of beautiful cities in the world due to its restrained and strict architecture, distinct national color and special character. To the capital of Holland they go, first of all, for the atmosphere of freedom and romance. The city has almost five hundred bridges, many of which are very remarkable, and more than 50 canals. One must swim under the bridges, a special, unforgettable view of the city opens from the water. All visitors seek to get to the main square of the city, called Dam, from the word dam. The second place where any tourist goes is the Red Light District. In addition to the refuge of sin, the beautiful Old Church (Oude Kerk) of the 13th century and many houses of the 15-17th centuries have been preserved here.
The city also preserved several more interesting temples. It is also worth seeing beautiful examples of the Dutch Neo-Renaissance - Railway Station and the Rijksmuseum. The impressive remains of the defense structures - the Montelbanstoren tower, Monetnaya tower, the lament tower - make a strong impression. But, probably, the main attraction of Amsterdam is the narrow houses that have stuck along the edges of the canals, boat houses and endless bridges.
3. Venice
Many beautiful cities of the world located on the water are compared with Venice. This is a certain standard, an example of style and unusualness. The city is located on 118 islands that connect more than 400 bridges.
The most famous bridges worth seeing are the following: Rialto, Sighs, Academy, Straw. Be sure to swim under them, and then go through them. In this case, two Venice are opened. Although, of course, the view of the city is more mesmerizing from the water. Its beauty is made up of the famous objects: Doge's Palace, Piazza and Cathedral of San Marco, the church of Santa Maria della Salute, the palazzo along the Grand Canal, the church of San Giorgio Maggiore and Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari.
An additional bonus to the beauty of the city are the nearby islands of Murano, Burano, San Michele, Torcello, each of which is original and incredibly interesting. Venice is a city for leisurely walks and admiration, here you need to wander along the streets and promenades, looking at houses, bridges, churches.
2. Madrid
Asking the question of what is the most beautiful city in the world, one can often hear: Madrid. It really impresses with luxury and scope. Bright, noisy Madrid was created specifically to make a lasting impression on the newcomer. Local attractions are always huge, richly decorated, luxurious.
Such is the Palace of Communications in Sibelis Square, such are the buildings along Gran Via and Major. The Royal Palace, the Major Square complex, the Almuden Cathedral embody the greatness of the Spanish crown, symbolize the times when the country was in the lead of world powers.
The city has excellent conditions for walking: wide, green boulevards, squares, spacious squares and streets. All major attractions are concentrated in a small space. It is worth taking a walk along Prado Boulevard, along the most famous museums, to see the Atocha Modern Station, walk along Alcalá Street to the Las Ventas Arena and go out to the ever-crowded Sol Square - the very heart of the city.
