Most Colorful Cities and Towns | The following list of cities and towns will add a jolt of vibrancy to your next vacation. Our friends from SmarterTravel.com recently ranked their World’s 11 most colorful towns. Not all of them are worth the journey. But it’s nice to look at the photos :) You judge. Let’s start with …
Burano, Italy
Oh yes! This one is worth a day trip. And since Italian island of Burano is located so so close to Venice, it can be done! Use the ‘Vaporetto’ – Venice Water Taxi – from St. Mark’s Square. It will bring you to Burano in 40 minutes.
What can you expect: a mini version of Venice. Originally, there were five islands forming Burano. By filling a canal it become the ‘via e piazza Baldassare Galuppi’, joining the former islands of San Martino Destra and San Martino Sinistra. Burano has historically been subdivided into five ‘sestieri’, much like Venice. They correspond to the five original islands. Connected by a bridge is the sixth sestiere: Mazzorbo.
Kampung Pelangi, Indonesia
In 2016, the coastal town of Kampung Pelangi (Java, Indonesia) invested US$22,500 into an ambitous project. Its inhabitants transformed Kampung Pelangi into an impressive display of colors and designs. The goal in mind was to shake off its status as a degraded slum. It worked. Tourists have taken notice of Indonesia’s rainbow village. Local businesses are already seeing a rise in souvenir demand and increasing food sales.
Trinidad, Cuba
The old part of Trinidad in Cuba is a gorgeous photogenic spot. It is often described as an outdoor museum. Trinidad became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, because of its well preserved and carefully restored Spanish colonial architecture.
Cape Town, South Africa
No need to say much about Cape Town, right? We find South Africa’s no. 1 tourist destination very often listed on the front page of travelers’ bucket lists worldwide. And yes, in some parts, the neighborhood is very colorful!
Ilulissat, Greenland
Not worth going there, but nice to look at the photos: Ilulissat in Greenland got some really colorful houses to offer. There is no tourism up there in the far north. If you like to go where nobody goes, Ilulissat will be your spot.
Singapore
Singapore’s suburb Little India probably comes in mind first when looking for the colorful side of this mega city. Little India is lined with interesting street art. Here is a task for you: Try to find the House of Tan Teng Niah. It’s an award-winning landmark you might want to visit. In 1990, businessman Tan Teng Niah built this Chinese villa for his wife. The original walls were plain white, but its restoration for commercial use came with a new coat of paint, a super colourful one.
Guanajuato, Mexico
Guanajuato is worth a day trip. The City of Frogs and Colors has the potential to become your my favorite Mexican location and for good reason. Situated in the heartland of Bajio of Mexico Guanajuato used to a be silver mining city. It has gorgeous colonial architecture – which made it a a UNESCO World Heritage Site – and it’s surrounded by the beautiful Sierra de Guanajuato mountains.
Menton, France
The French Rivera cannot compete with Italian coastlines. Except Menton! This little peaceful town Menton has a charming colorful old town centre and some beautiful beaches. Menton enjoys mild winters and warm summer days. Therefore tourists flock in all year long. Menton is a 30 minute train ride from Nice.
Cartagena, Colombia
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site: Cartagena, Colombia. Prepare to meet many fellow tourists. Cartagena has to cope with the arrival of 300,000 visitors per year with approx. 150 cruise ships stopping by.
Willemstad, Curacao
This one is not so famous yet. But a walk through colorful Willemstad in Curacao will be equally satisfying. Dutch traders founded Willemstad. They weren’t terribly creative when settling in. The story goes that originally all of the buildings in Willemstad were covered in white, a blinding sight on a sunny Caribbean day. The city government imposed a requirement: individuals and businesses alike had to paint their buildings with darker colors, to save the eyesight of Curacao residents. What started as a safety issue became part of the cultural identity. Willemstad is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buildings must be repainted every few years to combat the harsh sunny weather, but there are no requirements mandating the colors.
St. John’s, Canada
Last not least: St. John’s in Canada. Not exactly sure why this town did go colorful. We guess it was better for sailors and fishermen to find back home with brightly colored houses helping them find their way through foggy and inclement weather. In St. John’s you will find colorful laundry on the line, colorful boats, houses, and brilliant colors painted in the sky.
Most Colorful Cities. By Chili and Chirp | © International Destinations | Check out more Travel Top Lists here.
