Cities are not just about huge skyscrapers, concrete buildings, and shopping malls. Some of the most beautiful cities around the world have imbibed aesthetic beauty through their colorful and attractive buildings.
Their style, culture, beauty and picturesque scenery are definitely reasons why you should want to plan a trip to these fascinating places. To get you started, we at The Week have compiled a list of the five most colorful cities around the world. Pick one of these places and get a head start on planning your next vibrant vacation.
Bo-Kaap, Cape Town
This historic town is situated at the foot of Signal Hill in Cape Town. It is known for its cobblestone streets and brightly colored houses. The residential houses in this place beautifully portray a mixture of Georgian and Dutch architectural techniques.
The history of this place is as colorful as the place itself. A number of slaves were brought from Malaysia, Indonesia and African countries by the Dutch to Cape Town in the 16th and 17th Century. At that time, the houses in this area were leased for the slaves. In the later years, slaves bought these houses and colored them in vibrant colors to depict their independence and freedom.
Once there, you must make it a point to visit the Bo-Kaap museum in Cape Town. It is a building built in 1760s that displays the history of this place and its original buildings. You will find out everything there is to know about this quaint historic city at the museum.
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Chefchaouen, Morocco
This beautiful city is situated in the Rif Mountains of Northern Morocco. The marvelously colored blue buildings here are what have turned this place into an attractive tourist destination.
During the 1930s, this place was introduced to this vivid blue color by Jewish refugees. In Judaism, the color blue signifies sky and heaven. The color also imparts the message that people should lead their lives with spiritual consciousness.
The natives of this place, till date, regularly repaint these buildings to commemorate the old Jewish tradition. It is said that the glow of these blue buildings varies during different times of the day. The locals also say that the blue color repels mosquitoes from their houses as mosquitoes hate clear water.
This is a calm and peaceful town and has many affordable cafes, restaurants, and accommodation facilities. A trip to this place will not only be worth the while once you are there but you won’t have to break the bank for it either.
Willemstad, Curacao
Willemstad is the capital city of Curacao. This place that is so rich in cultural beauty is also a world heritage city. While there, you will see beautiful and colorful government buildings and cute cafes.
The General Governor of this place, Albert Kikkert, started this tradition of coloring government buildings. It is said that Albert experienced severe migraine and headache during his tenure in the 19th Century. He was told that the reflections from the white buildings were the major cause of his health problems. He then started paintings the buildings in bright colors other than white.
The colorful buildings there are also a good example of Dutch architecture. Also there are many preserved and colorful buildings that attract thousands of tourists each year.
Santorini, Greece
Situated in the South Eastern region of Greece, Santorini is a beautiful city with good weather and aesthetically pleasing houses. The balconies of these houses face the beautiful sea and volcanic mountains. However, the major attraction of this place is said to be the outstanding sunset view.
Also, in the 19th Century, locals of this place started using whitewash to beautify their homes. That was because whitewash was cheap and durable. Slowly, whitewashing houses became a trend among the residents of this island. We have all seen glorious pictures of scenic white buildings with the backdrop of the blue sea. People who have been here say the pictures don’t do justice to its mesmerizing beauty.
La Boca, Argentina
Just beside the capital city of Argentina is a unique place named La Boca. La Boca is famous for its traditional, wooden, and colorful houses. The mesmerizing view of traditional houses is also used during their festivals and local performances. But, the best part about this place is that it has extremely pedestrian friendly streets. You can walk and take in everything the city has to offer.
Another attraction that pulls many tourists to this place every year is their Tango Dance. You can spot these dancers at almost every corner of the streets. They are also famous for their huge exhibitions of photographs and paintings.
