8 Most colourful cities in the world to add onto your travel bucket list

Kanako Sugawara

24 Jul 2018

1/8
Menton, France
The summer getaway spot for many French locals, Menton’s architecture has a pretty gold, salmon, and cherry color scheme. Visit their many beaches or join in on the many aquatic sports program this sleepy town has to offer!
Photo: Getty Images
2/8
Chefchaouen, Morocco
There’s a number of blue-themed cities on this list, but none are more vibrant or variant as this city. There are multiple theories behind why this city’s architecture is mainly of one color--while some believe it was the Jews who painted it in their religion’s divine color (which represents the color of the sea and sky) after escaping Europe, others believe that their ancestors painted it in order to repel mosquitos. After you take your slew of photos, try their delicious oranges and freshly baked Moroccan breakfast!

Photo: Getty Images
3/8
Jaipur, India
If you’re currently in the millennial pink phase, this city is for you! Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan is close to New Dehli and one of the most visited cities of the state. Known as the Pink City of India, Jaipur's buildings were originally painted red in the eighteenth century but turned pink over years of wear. Some noteable places to visit in this city include the Amber fort, Jaigarh fort, Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal, and Jantar Mantar.
Photo: Getty Images
4/8
Jodhpur, India
The “sister” city to Jaipur, the Indian city of Jodhpur is chock-full of blue-box houses, all located under the fort of Mehrangarh. Expect winding streets, the scent of incense, shops, and bazaars if you travel here! The color blue was once used to indicate social status, but now it remains to attract hordes of photographers and travelers every year.
Photo: Getty Images
5/8
Procida, Italy
You’ve seen the beautiful coast of Amalfi on Pinterest and Instagram (perhaps one too many times). Head on over to the rather non-touristy, under-the-radar island off the coast of Naples instead! Procida’s narrow streets are lined by breathtaking pastel-coloured buildings that beautifully contrast the big blue sea in the background. Local lore says that these buildings were painted so vibrantly so that homesick fishermen could recognize their own houses while they were at far at sea.
Photo: Getty Images
6/8
Juzcar, Spain
This one is a bit of an anomaly! While the other cities were painted over for religious, practical, or historical reasons, this city went all-blue very recently in the summer of 2011 to promote the Smurf movie! Although this extensive makeover was supposed to be temporary, the idea was so successful in attracting tourists that the locals voted to keep the distinctive coloring.
Photo: Getty Images
7/8
Rainbow Village, Taiwan
Now this is one heartwarming story you wouldn’t want to miss! The Rainbow Village was formerly a residential area for ex-members of the military and was going to be redeveloped. However, before the government stepped in, local resident Huang Yung-Fu painted over the concrete neighborhood and saved the village from being renovated. The Rainbow Village is now a designated cultural area that invites over a million tourists each year!
Photo: Wikipedia
8/8
Izamal, Mexico
A charming colonial town in the centre of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Izamal’s architecture is painted a beautifully cheery mustard yellow. From the golden 16th-century monastery to various churches around the town, the color yellow continues to pay homage to the region’s Mayan roots.
Photo: Getty Images

Go for the ‘gram – but stay for all its beauty and local attractions!

Pink, blue, yellow, red, and rainbow! These cities have one thing in common: they’re either washed over with one brilliant shade of colour, or its buildings are every hue of the rainbow. And now with the popularity of sharing our travel photos on the ‘gram, these beautiful cities are becoming more popular with tourists than ever. From the millennial pink color of Jaipur, India, to the Smurf-blue hues of Juzcar, Spain, these places are the city of dreams for both professional photographers and us Insta-lovers.

Whether it be the bright blues of Chefchaouen, Morocco, or the rainbow hues of Procida, Italy, check out our list of cities that have one or multiple color schemes that set their architecture apart from others!

Kanako Sugawara

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