From Stockholm to San Fran: 20 cities known for their vibrant colors

Buenos Aires is a lively city in every aspect of the world, and its aesthetic is no different. Its streets abound with color, with the La Boca neighborhood being one of the most well-known places for vibrant buildings and roads.

Sweden, as a whole, is known for being beautiful, but not necessarily bright. Certain areas in the country are quite vibrant, though, like Stockholm. The center of Stockholm has a litany of brightly colored buildings that have become one of the city’s defining characteristics. 

Curaçao, an island under Dutch rule, is beautiful in many ways, but it’s particularly known for Willemstad, its capital. Its buildings are a charming mix of neons and pastels, all of which shine against the gorgeous Caribbean Sea. 

Istanbul is one of the oldest and most colorful cities in the world. Some places look more stereotypically Old World, but there are also pockets, like Balat, that are full of life, all of which starts with the color of the buildings. 

When you think of Poland, you might just think of Wroclaw, a city featuring absolutely stunning houses in gorgeous colors. Some tones are a bit muted, but they fit the rest of the city’s aesthetic while still standing out. 

If you’ve seen people on social media visiting Charleston, South Carolina, they likely had a picture or two posted from Rainbow Row, an area in the city known for its colorful houses. It’s perfectly picturesque and a must-see if you’re in town. 

If you look closely when panning over Cape Town, South Africa, you’ll notice Bo-Kapp, one of the most colorful neighborhoods in the world. And this neighborhood’s colorful portion spans multiple streets, making it especially fun to walk through. 

Chefchaouen, Morocco, is known as the Blue Town for a reason. It is literally blue. Every corner has some sort of blue touch, making it a bright and exciting city to pass through. 

If you want to step into a colorful fairytale, Colmar, France, is the place to visit. It’s frozen in medieval times and has stunning colors on its houses and other buildings, all reflected in the River Lauch. 

There are plenty of colorful places in Italy, but perhaps the most beautiful is Procida. This island boasts pastel houses that apparently were painted that way so fishermen could spot their places when coming back from the water. 

Rainbow Village is nestled in Taichung, Taiwan, a small area full of dazzling murals. The art was first painted by Huang Yung-fu, otherwise known as Rainbow Grandpa, and it’s been instrumental in revitalizing the area. 

They say visiting Havana, Cuba, is like stepping back in time, and they are not wrong. The city has lots of character, especially Old Havana, with its brightly-colored buildings. 

There’s a lot to love about Singapore, especially Little India, a district within Singapore that boasts vivid colors. What’s unique about Little India is that it’s colorful in the daytime and at night. 

Guatapé, Colombia, is a fun city to explore. It’s bursting with color, and the bright hues against the verdant backdrops make it look especially marvelous from lower vantage points. If you want to visit a colorful country, go to Colombia. 

Kampung Pelangi, Indonesia, is also known as Rainbow Village, and for good reason. The Indonesian government has encouraged its citizens to paint their homes in fun colors, which has resulted in a huge boost in tourism. 

Color might not be your first thought when considering England, but in Bristol, there’s a neighborhood rife with colorful houses. It’s a lovely change of pace from the stereotypical English vista. 

Pachuca, Mexico, is a work of art. Not too far from Mexico City, this town turned its entire neighborhood of Las Palmitas into a mural. The art has transformed the city, giving the neighborhood a much-needed boost. 

Many cities only have neighborhoods or streets with color, but Valparaiso, Chile, is vibrant at every turn. Its dedication to brilliant vistas makes it a dream to walk through, as every inch has something new to marvel at. 

Portions of San Francisco, California, really pop with color. Its Victorian houses have been painted in fun colors that make for major eye candy. You have to search just a bit to find the area, but it’s worth the effort. 

There are plenty of reasons to visit Nassau, Bahamas, one of which is the striking color. There’s plenty of natural color thanks to the water and the palm trees, but there’s just as much in the houses and hotels. It’s one pretty city.