Cinque Terre
We all travel for a reason and it is very rarely about the colour and beauty of a place, but the price, sun, sea and sand. Here are 14 must-see colourful destinations to inspire your next holiday.
1. Cinque Terre, Italy
Perched high on rugged cliffs meeting the Meditarranean sea, Cinque Terre, meaning Five lands, is a stunning UNESCO world heritage site in the Italian village of Manarola. Its narrow alleyways and crooked streets are littered with bright colourful houses, making this an absolute must-visit destination.
2. Bo Kaap, Cape Town - South Africa
Bold, bright and definitely beautiful, the Muslim neighbourhood of Bo Kapp in Cape Town, South Africa is famous for its fluorescent coloured houses with white-painted doors and steps. Many of its residents are the descendants of former slaves from India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and other countries in Africa.
3. Jodhpur, Rajasthan - India
Dubbed the 'Blue City' of India, Jodhpur, located in the North Indian state of Rajasthan houses thousands of vividly-painted blue buildings. The local people willingly paint their homes in deep shades of blue using the indigo plant that is native to the country. A must-visit city for culturally curious travellers.
4. Wroclaw, Poland
Wroclaw is one of Poland's most charming cities, packed with tree-lined streets and tall colourful buildings with beautifully-designed windows and doorways. The culture and atmosphere here is as rich in diversity and history as the city's architectural heritage.
5. Guanajuato, Mexico
Balanced on steep hillsides in central Mexico, Guanajuato is full of little meandering streets and vibrant-coloured houses, all showing off the areas colonial elegance. It is a quiet and beautiful city which houses the famous 'kisses street' - Callejón del beso - a street so narrow that if you stand at the windows on both sides of the street you could easily kiss each other.
6. Little India, Singapore
Singapore's most colourful neighbourhood, Little India is a world away from the skyscrapers and modern-day facades of the cosmopolitan city. Little India is a modest but colourful area where locals truly celebrate their culture through the vibrant buildings which play host to shops, eateries and homes for both residents and visitors. Its spicy aromas, Hindia chatter and love of colour seeps through the architecture making this a must-see place for those visiting Singapore.
7. Nyhavn, Copenhagen - Denmark
Packed with bars, restaurants and people who want to party, Nyhavn has become one of Copenhagen's much-loved neighbourhoods. The 17th century waterfront and entertainment district is home to lots of colourful buildings which are perfect for visiting in the summer to experience the popular al fresco dining in the area.
8. Valparaiso, Chile
Colourful houses are a trademark of the town of Valparaiso, meaning Paradise Valley, located in Chile. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the steep-hilled town is a labyrinth of cobbled streets and winding alleys which preserve the city's vivid architectural heritage. Local people are known to take the large amount of paint left behind by ships, which arrive in the city for repair, and paint their homes bright colours.
9. St John's, Newfoundland - Canada
One of the first British colonial cities to be established in North America, St John's is a picturesque destination where just a walk down one of the many colourful streets could lift your spirits. It is the capital, and biggest, city of Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, immersed in unique architecture inspired by both the old and the new.
10. Burano Island, Venice - Italy
Burano is a pretty island located 40 minutes from Venice, with cute colourful houses. The bright colours of this beautiful canal-lined island offers a much-needed respite from the faded grey facades of Venice itself. Colour is serious business here as the local council uses historical records to decide which colour a resident should paint their home.
11. Greenland
Greenland's arctic region is home to many pastel-coloured houses, painted in cool shades of blue, green, yellow, pink and cream. Culturally, Greenland offers a vivacious art scene, exciting music and interesting architecture as well as some of the most intriguing communities in the world.
12. La Boca, Buenos Aires - Argentina
Dancing the Tango, playing great football and boasting yellow brick walls, the neighbourhood of La Boca, in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires, is world-famous for its rainbow-coloured houses, use of traditional street lamps and all round South American flair.
13. San Francisco, California - USA
San Francisco, California is not only famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, but for its beautiful steep streets lined with adorable Victorian-style buildings. This image captures the diverse mix of traditional and modern architecture the city offers, showing a row of colourful Victorian townhouses against the San Francisco skyline.
14. Trondheim, Norway
It is known as Norway's capital of technology, and Trondheim is home to one of the most stunning and colourful wharves in the country. It's a lively and historical town, which was actually the very first capital city of Norway. Today, it is home to the beautiful Nidaros Cathedral with streets full of monastery ruins and impressive wooden buildings - this is a destination for those wanting to indulge and explore at the same time.
Have you visited any colourful destinations? Tell us about them in the comments below or tweet us @FemaleFirst_UK
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