When you think about the world's great cities, you think of noise, excitement and crowds, of good food and even better nightlife, of galleries, museums and concerts. But sometimes we overlook the fabric of the cities themselves, whether it's ancient walled citadels, narrowly winding streets or neck-cricking skyscrapers. Here are 50 cities which we think are among the world's most beautiful.

York has an impressive pedigree, having been founded way back in AD 71 by the Romans. Parts of the Roman city still exist, but most of what will draw your eye is medieval. Wander through Stonegate and the wonderfully named Shambles to see half-timbered houses leaning over the street, explore the imposing shell of York Castle or make your way straight to the Gothic splendor of York Minster. Here's how to make the most of York on a family break.

Though it’s beautiful in every season, Bergen really comes into its own as the days grow shorter and the snow piles up. Its colored houses cling to the mountainsides, seeming to huddle together against the cold, reflecting perfectly in the clear waters of the North Sea. Take the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen for sweeping views of the city. Bergen may be known as the gateway to the fjords, but there’s plenty of beauty to be found within the city too.

You might expect the home of rock ‘n’ roll to be all dive bars and cheap hotels, but Cleveland is instead a charming city which makes the most of its gorgeous spot on Lake Erie. The waterfront is one of the most picturesque parts of Cleveland – and home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – but the city is full of well-maintained historic buildings, perhaps the most impressive being The Arcade, an ornate, glass-roofed 1890s shopping street in Downtown. Plan your trip to Cleveland with the help of our handy guide.

Muscat is dazzling city, stretching almost 25 miles (40km) along the Gulf of Oman. Alongside opulent modern buildings like Al Alam Palace and the Royal Opera House, it’s home to some fascinating historic districts: head to the Mutrah souk or walled Old Muscat for traditional Arabian architecture and a glimpse into the city's past. But the jewel in Muscat’s crown is the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, an awe-inspiring edifice of gleaming gold, vibrant turquoise and cool, white marble.

Facing the cosmopolitan Buenos Aires in neighboring Argentina across the R​ío de la Plata, Colonia del Sacramento may as well be a world away. The city charms with its excellently preserved, UNESCO-designated Barrio Histórico (Historic Quarter) and its cobbled streets, tiled roofs and low-rise stone buildings showing a singular mix of Portuguese and Spanish styles. Stroll through the picturesque district to the waterfront one evening and join in with the local tradition of applauding the setting sun.

Munich, the capital of Bavaria, is packed with grand architecture, glorious open spaces and a generous number of beer gardens. Marienplatz is the city’s focal point, lined with imposing Gothic edifices, but there are also significant Baroque, Romanesque and even Rococo buildings dotted throughout the city center. For some breathing space after exploring Munich’s architectural riches, head to the English Garden, a green space even bigger than New York City's Central Park. Find our guide to Munich here.

As one of Europe’s smallest capitals, Valletta is compact enough to explore on foot. The city’s known for its Baroque architecture, but you can also explore the imposing Fort St Elmo, sleek Parliament House (designed by Renzo Piano) or neoclassical St Paul's Pro-Cathedral. Or skip all the big hitters and just stroll along the stepped streets, resting in gardens overlooking the bay, admiring the colorful Maltese balconies and watching the warm, creamy limestone turn gold in the evening sun. Take a look at our guide to Valletta to plan your holiday.

County Galway always comes up on lists of the most beautiful places in Ireland, so it’s no surprise that its capital city is a stunner too. The city’s ancient core is still in use, with Kirwan's Lane a fine example of the narrow medieval streets, all cobblestones and arches. Head west towards The Claddagh, a fishing district with origins in the fifth century, for colorful fishermen’s cottages and glorious views across the water. Plan a Galway trip with the help of our guide. 

Though the city is full of charming spots, it’s hard to argue with the fact that the French Quarter is what really sets New Orleans apart. This well-preserved historic district is still very much alive and the focus for nightlife in the city – much of which is out in the streets, all the better to admire the fine wrought-iron balconies and intricate façades. The buildings are certainly beautiful, but it’s the famous New Orleans hospitality which adds a rosy tint to the whole place. For more things to see and do in the Big Easy, check out our city guide. 

Of all Rajasthan’s beautiful cities, Udaipur is perhaps the most heavenly. Known as the City of the Lakes, it looks almost as though it’s floating on the water, its lime-washed buildings light and delicate. Surrounded by sawtoothed peaks, this romantic city is a self-contained world full of palaces, forts and havelis (mansions built around courtyards). Its most iconic building is City Palace, Rajasthan’s largest royal complex, made up of 11 dazzling palaces overlooking Lake Pichola. Now take a look at India's most beautiful places.

Though Lisbon gets most of the attention, Portugal’s second city is uniquely beautiful and atmospheric, especially in its medieval Ribeira district. Here, centuries-old merchants’ and mariners’ homes line cobbled streets, seeming to crane their necks over each other to get a view of the Douro River. In fact, the whole town seems focused on the river, with its grand bridges – from the double-decker Ponte de Dom Luís I to the sleek, modern Ponte de São João – one of the city’s most iconic sights. You can find our full guide to this fascinating city here. 

From its clusters of colorful houses to the almost extraterrestrial drama of Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavík is one of a kind. Apart from its famous church, most of the city is low-rise, making Mount Esja – usually dusted with snow well into the warmer months – an even more impressive presence across the water. With its colorful houses, daring modern architecture and stunning setting, Reykjavik is a charming and beautiful city – plan a trip with our guide. 

Whether you’re a fan of winding medieval streets, colorful riverside terraces, Victorian warehouses, refined Georgian avenues or risk-taking modern architecture, Cork in southwestern Ireland is the place for you. Somehow, this jumble of styles comes together perfectly, creating a beautiful and truly unique cityscape to rival any in Europe – no wonder its inhabitants are so welcoming and so proud of their home. Why not incorporate it in your Wild Atlantic Way road trip?

While it is the gateway to Machu Picchu, Cusco is worth a visit in its own right. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Americas, its streets are packed with historic buildings and its setting in the Andes is second to none. Inca sites stand shoulder to shoulder with colonial mansions and Catholic churches, while in the San Blas district narrow lanes wind between small churches and artisans’ workshops.

There’s no question: Cape Town is the most beautiful city in southern Africa. At its heart, both literally and figuratively, is Table Mountain, from the flat top of which you can survey the whole metropolis. On the Atlantic seaboard you’ll find white-sand beaches and eye-wateringly expensive houses, but there’s more variety in the Upper City Center. Most of the city’s historic buildings are here with architecture reflecting varied African, Asian and European roots. Discover where to stay, eat and what else to see with our guide. 

Irkutsk is known for its well-preserved historic buildings, which show a beguiling mix of architectural styles, from Baroque to traditional Siberian and Moorish. You could spend days on the religious buildings alone, like the gingerbread-style Epiphany Cathedral, riotously bright Kazan Church and (comparatively) pared back Church of the Saviour. When you need to clear your head after all the ornamentation and incense, head out to Lake Baikal only 44 miles (70km) from the city.

Sea, forest, mountains: Vancouver’s location is stunning, but it’s also a bustling city, complete with skyscrapers, excellent nightlife and one of Canada’s most diverse populations. It’s almost impossible to pick the most picturesque spots. The city lights reflecting in the bay? The wooded mountains, laced with suspension bridges and cable cars? The many parks, full of greenery and offering perfectly framed views of the skyscrapers? Spend a week and explore them all.

Dakar is full of life, noise and crowds – but also some gorgeous beaches where you can recharge after a busy morning of haggling in the market. Mostly, though, it’s the islands which make Dakar unusual and beautiful. Laid-back Île de Ngor with its swaying palms and colorful boats is well worth a visit (especially for the surf), but Île de Gorée is undoubtedly the most famous, known for its role in the Atlantic slave trade but also its elegant architecture and emerging artistic community.

Santa Barbara proudly maintains its Spanish heritage, from the red-roofed, white-walled architecture to the Spanish Mission perched above the city. It’s also beautifully sited, stretching from gently rolling hills inland to the golden beaches along the Pacific Coast. Visit Stearns Wharf for some unpretentious seaside fun and a relaxing waterfront walk under the palm trees. For 49 other brilliant things to see in the Golden State, take a look at our top picks here. 

The historic center of Hoi An has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 and the briefest of visits makes it clear why. It’s at its most charming in the evenings, when the silk lanterns hanging from every shopfront are lit, adding a warm glow to the moss-covered, attractively crumbling streets. The light dances across the highly ornamented old buildings, with carvings of carps and dragons, and reflects in the lazy Thu Bon River.

In the far south of the USA’s most northerly state is Ketchikan, centered on a small cluster of colorful clapboard stilt houses perched over Ketchikan Creek. The city’s known for its indigenous (mostly Tlingit and Haida) heritage and is the best place in the country to see intricately carved and brightly painted totem poles in their intended environment. And what an environment it is, with luxuriant green forests, glacier-carved valleys and looming mountains just outside the city.

Québec is defined by the citadel at its heart, the fortified Old Town full of cobblestoned streets, mansard-roofed houses and imposing statues. Most of the (excellently maintained) buildings are from the 17th and 18th centuries, but Château Frontenac, presiding over the whole city and now a luxury hotel, dates to the 1890s. The best approach is to allow an afternoon and get happily lost, wandering down whichever picturesque street takes your fancy. Here's what to do when you tire of the city.

As with the rest of the island state of Tasmania, Hobart has a more rugged feeling than other major cities in Australia, trading white-sand beaches for moody mountains and wide, breezy streets for narrow alleys and colonial architecture. Rising above the city is the 4,170-feet-high (1,271m) Kunanyi (or Mount Wellington), which offers glorious views of this city spread along the River Derwent. Don't miss the innovative Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) just upriver at Berriedale too.

Encircled by walls laid in the 10th century, Itchan Kala (Khiva’s Inner City) has a singular collection of historic buildings, giving a fascinating insight into Central Asian Islamic architecture. But more than any individual sight – the squat Kalta Minor Minaret, sumptuous Tosh Hovli Palace or ornately tiled Pahlavon Mahmoud Mausoleum – Itchan Kala’s most astounding feature is how cohesive it feels, its mud-walled streets and courtyard homes seeming undisturbed by the trappings of modern life.

With its picture-perfect beaches, colorful street art and green parks complete with palm trees, Tauranga is a perfect chilled-out beachside city. But it’s Mauao (Mount Maunganui), an extinct volcano jutting out into the bay, which really sets it apart. It’s an easy hike to the summit, which offers panoramic views across the city, the white-sand beaches and the Pacific Ocean. Discover 50 reasons to visit New Zealand here. 

Zanzibar City is the capital of Zanzibar, a semi-autonomous region and small island off the coast of Tanzania. At its core is Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its appeal lies not in formal sights, but in its beauty and atmosphere. Wandering its twisting alleys, you’ll pass bustling spice markets, crumbling palaces and brightly painted shops and cafés. The centuries of history are easy to see in Stone Town, but so is the thriving life of the modern city.

The Holy City, the Place of the Gods, the center of Tibetan Buddhism – Lhasa has a lot to live up to. But it takes a very hard-hearted person not to feel overwhelmed at the first sight of the Potala Palace or get swept up in the fervor of pilgrims walking the Barkhor circuit around the Jokhang temple in winding, incense-scented alleys. Perhaps it’s lightheadedness from the altitude, but Lhasa seems to have something magical about it.

With its temples, shrines and Imperial Palace, Kyoto looms large in Japanese culture. Though the center is fairly modern, the city’s historic districts are as beguiling and beautiful as ever: Arashiyama, home to bamboo groves and pagodas; Higashiyama, with cherry blossom trees bowing over the canal and temples lining the foothills; and Gion and Pontocho, where you may glimpse geisha emerging from traditional machiya (tea houses) and gliding down the narrow streets to their next engagement.

The capital city of one of the world’s wildest places, Nuuk feels like it’s always preparing for winter or is hunkered down against it. In summer, the wood-clad houses add bright spots of red, pink and orange to a landscape of green grass, black rocks and piercingly blue sea. In winter, they shine out amid the thick layer of white snow, slate-gray water and almost sunless days. Stay for long enough in winter and one more color will be added to the palette – the dancing green lights of the aurora borealis (Northern Lights). 

To many, Shanghai means one thing: The Bund. From this promenade you can look across the river to the skyscrapers of Pudong, lit up extravagantly at night. There are a few areas where you can find respite from the relentless, gleaming metal of the megacity – the old French Concession is particularly atmospheric, and in the Old Town you’ll find more temples than in any other part of Shanghai. But really, you come to Shanghai to revel in the excesses of mainland China’s biggest, brashest city.

Stirling seems to be striving towards its highest ground, the whole of the Old Town drawing your eye up to the imposing Stirling Castle and a step higher still to the neo-Gothic Wallace Monument. Set among rolling farmland and forested mountains, it makes for a dramatic gateway to the Highlands. And it loses none of its drama when you’re up close, walking the steep, cobbled streets lined with sturdy stone buildings and an occasional moldering old mansion thrown in for good, Gothic measure.

Though it’s a huge, sprawling metropolis, Yogyakarta somehow still retains its traditions, heritage and thriving arts scene. At its heart is the sultan’s palace (Kraton), which is so huge it’s basically its own walled city. Most of the buildings are in traditional Javanese style, but some display European and Chinese influences. Taman Sari is particularly worth visiting. An evocative, partially ruined royal bathing complex in Portuguese style, it's the focal point of a charming residential area. Plan a trip to Yogyakarta with our full guide.

Chock-full of ancient monuments and picturesque piazzas, Rome’s historic core must be one of the world’s most seductive. Don’t leave town without seeing the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, Pantheon and Trevi Fountain or without sipping a Campari in one of Rome’s picturesque piazzas, Piazza Navona. For more must-sees check out our full city guide here. 

This megacity can be overwhelming at first. But give it time and its beauty will become apparent. Perhaps you’ll start off in one of the suburbs, like leafy Coyoacán or laid-back San Ángel. Next, the tiered arches and Diego Rivera murals of the Palacio Nacional and the excavated Aztec Templo Mayor, in the city center. Before you know it, you’ll wonder how you could ever have doubted the architectural detail, thriving art scene and glorious gardens of this cosmopolitan and beautiful city.

Feeling closer to the Mediterranean than the commercial charms of Orlando, St Augustine’s Old Town is full of Spanish colonial buildings, palm-lined streets and cobbled lanes. And it’s not just for show: as the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the US, established by the Spanish in 1565, these historic monuments and buildings are the real deal. But it’s still Florida – so of course you’ve got some glorious stretches of beach to top it all off.

With its sunny weather, young population and boundless opportunities to get active, Perth is a great place to spend a few days. But its location, winding along both the Swan River and the Indian Ocean coast, really sets it apart. Well-maintained beaches and parks, shining skyscrapers reflecting in the water and architectural standouts like The Bell Tower make for a pretty, welcoming city where you’ll want to linger.

A stroll through Vieux Lyon can easily fill a day, its narrow streets lined with Medieval and Renaissance buildings and criss-crossed with the city’s distinctive traboules. These covered alleys and tunnels, originally built to protect silk-workers from the rain, are deeply atmospheric. But to get a real sense of the city, you need a wider view. Head up to Fourvière and the Basilique Notre-Dame, from where you can see the colorful, red-roofed city laid out before you and the Alps on the horizon.

The genteel but unpretentious charms of Portland are given more clout by the city’s location, right on the water. Hire a bike and wheel along Baxter Boulevard for gorgeous views across the Casco Bay, explore the maritime history of the Old Harbor or walk out to Fort Williams Park for that postcard-perfect view of the 18th-century Portland Head Lighthouse.

Havana’s faded grandeur is famous for a reason. The wide avenues, lined with bright, peeling colonial buildings; the laundry hanging from wrought-iron balconies; the plants growing on, and occasionally out of, windowsills; the wide plazas, ornate churches and eye-catching murals. Havana is a jumble of so many different elements that it shouldn’t quite work – but somehow, it all comes together to create something unforgettable.

St John’s is the oldest city in North America, established around the turn of the 16th century. But the weight of its history sits lightly about the city, which feels more like a laid-back small town. Dotted along the waterfront and in the city center are brightly painted row houses, and at the southern edge of the sheltered harbor is a squat little lighthouse. Head up to Signal Point for views across the city and out over the Atlantic – next stop, Europe. These 50 photos are sure to make you fall in love with Canada too. 

Home to one of the world’s oldest universities, founded in the 1200s, it’s no surprise that Cambridge’s streets are full of historic buildings. You can admire the Wren Library at Trinity College, or if that’s a bit too modern for you, the awe-inspiring King’s College Chapel, founded in 1446, or the Tudor precincts of Queen’s College. All three are ranged along the River Cam and a walk along the riverside Backs is the perfect way to appreciate the sheer density of history in this beautiful city. Find out how to spend an ultimate weekend away in the city here. 

The Hermitage, the Winter Palace, the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood: St Petersburg is almost indecently full of iconic buildings. Whether quilted in snow or lit up during the White Nights festival in summer, the city’s big sights really don’t have a bad angle. But there are quieter charms here, too, from canal-side walks to crisp, clear views over the Baltic Sea and incense-hazed explorations of venerable churches.

Florence's historic buildings, higgledy-piggledy network of winding streets and glorious sunsets mean the Tuscan city is regularly voted one of the world's most stunning. Seeing the cathedral's Duomo is a must, but don't miss a trip to the top of Giotto's bell tower too for more magnificent vistas over the red roofs. Be sure to book ahead if you want to see famous works by artists including Leonardo da Vinci at the Uffizi Gallery – one of the world's most loved museums.

Founded on the Caribbean coast of Colombia in the 1530s, Cartagena is one of Latin America’s most beautiful cities. The walled Old Town – across the water from modern, high-rise Bocagrande – is the really photogenic part, dotted with leafy plazas, its narrow streets lined with brightly painted colonial houses, their balconies overflowing with plants. There’s no point in setting an itinerary – just follow your nose, peeping into pretty courtyards and shady churches as you spot them.

Each district of the Catalonian capital has something new to show off, but it’s the city’s modernista buildings which really make it memorable. The grid-planned streets of the Eixample are enlivened by the sinuous lines of La Pedrera, dramatic spires of Casa de les Punxes and of course the city’s crowning jewel, the Sagrada Família. Rising from the ground like something organic, Gaudì’s masterpiece alone would make Barcelona worth visiting – plan your city break with the help of our guide.

For true southern charm, Charleston is the place to go. The elegant city – the oldest in South Carolina – retains a small-town air, with its pastel-colored buildings and canopied porches (often complete with a rocking chair). Embrace the slow pace of life with a gentle stroll along the waterfront promenade, through leafy parks or around the historic district, admiring the gently crumbling architecture and palm-tree-lined streets.

Fans of Gothic architecture need look no further than Lübeck, in northern Germany. The city pioneered a red-brick Gothic style, which you’ll notice as soon as you arrive – the city gate, Holstentor, is a masterful example. Once you’re through the gates, you’ll be torn between atmospheric alleyways of jauntily leaning houses, grand squares lined with public buildings (the Rathaus is one of the country’s most impressive), intriguing little courtyards and imposing, spired churches.

It's no surprise Italy has several cities that make our list, but Venice is the standout winner when it comes to beauty. The northern city, built on a lagoon, has long lured lovers, tourists and artists alike, drawn to the unique architecture. Highlights include the Piazza San Marco where you'll find St Mark's Basilica and Doges Palace and the Rialto Bridge. Skip a pricey gondola ride and catch the ferry along the Grand Canal with the locals to really get under the skin of the city. Here's how to plan a Venice city break.

The Hungarian capital is actually two cities – Buda and Pest – rolled into one. Sliced in half by the Danube, it's long been one of Europe's most important cities, once capital of the Kingdom of Hungary. If history is not your cup of tea, there's plenty of breathtaking architecture to take in, from the Széchenyi Chain Bridge and imposing Buda Castle to the simply one-of-a-kind Hungarian Parliament Building. Read our guide to the city here.

Loud, colorful and just a little bit chaotic – Marrakech is exactly like you'd expect it to be and more. Adorned by the intricate Saadien Tombs, the stunning Bahia Palace and blindingly blue Jardin Majorelle, Marrakech's lavish and sprawling attractions are in stark contrast to its densely packed medina with its maze-like alleys and thriving souks, filled with traditional pottery, lanterns, textiles and jewelry. It's easy to get lost here for a few days – here's how to do it.