7 of The Most Colorful Places in The World
Given that color has such an influence on our mood and energy, it’s a wonder one doesn’t let it play more of a role in their travel decisions. Until now, that is. From sunny yellow streets of Mexico to historical buildings in South Africa, there are colorful destinations waiting to dazzle your senses all around the world. The great thing about these locales is that, apart from the vibrancy they all have in common, they all have something different to offer. You could choose to have a colorful, luxurious city escape, a colorful, budget-friendly beach vacation, and more; the options for colorful travel destinations are extensive.
Havana, Cuba
The colorful palette of Havana, Cuba isn’t a recent development. The colorful buildings in Old Havana date back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The colonial-style buildings’ vivid colorways of pink, blue and yellow are only enhanced by their Moorish-style roofs. Notable colorful areas to look out for in Havana, Cuba include Havana City’s Parque Central and the Art Nouveau buildings along the Malecon.
St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
The Maritimes of Canada tend to bear the brunt of some treacherous storms. Luckily, colorful neighborhoods, like the ones you’ll find in St. John’s, Newfoundland bring some brightness to visitors' and locals’ daily lives. St. John’s homes’ colorful palettes are not accidental. In the past, the bright colors allowed fisherman and sailors to find their way to land safely on foggy or stormy days. The best way to take in the rainbow of colors in the region is by walking around. The city is very intimate and walkable, and both businesses and homes feature colorful exteriors.
Lisbon, Portugal
You won’t only find color on the exterior of the buildings in Lisbon, Portugal; you’ll find it on the Azulejo tiles, the orange roofs, the vibrant street art and the delicious meals. Some of the best neighborhoods in Lisbon to simply way around, explore and soak in the color include Graça, Rato, Avenidas Novas and Bairro Alto. Meanwhile, specific attractions to add to a must-see colorful sites list are the pink street (Rua Nova do Carvalho) and LX Factory.
Stockholm, Sweden
In the winter, the colorful homes in Stockholm, Sweden bring some brightness to the long dark days the region experiences. Meanwhile, in the summer season, when the sun shines brightly all day, only enhances the beauty of the streets. The old town island Gamla Stan, in particular, is one of the best places in Stockholm to take in a rainbow of colors. You’ll see rows of buildings in red, yellow, orange and green, side-by-side in the quaint town square.
Cape Town, South Africa
The bright streets of the Bo-Kaap region in Cape Town, South Africa is a relatively new development. Since the region is home to a large Muslim population, the residents started painting the formerly white buildings colorful hues in celebration of Eid. To maintain an aesthetically-pleasing appeal, the locals coordinated when painting their homes to complement each other and avoid clashing. Taking a walking tour is an essential activity to experience in this area. You’ll see homes in every color, from delicate lilac and lemony yellow to bold blue and electric green.
Jodhpur, India
India, as a whole, is a country that doesn’t shy away from colors. From the food and the attire, to the celebration, color is a large part of the culture. Jodhpur, India takes the love of color to the next level. In addition to colors being showcased in its vibrant markets and on locals' skirts and headdresses, the buildings of this city are painted blue. All across Jodhpur, one will see pops of blue. It has even earned the nickname ‘The Blue City.’ The reasoning behind all the blue in this area is still up for debate. While some say the color is associated with India’s priestly caste (with Brahmins), others think it was an accidental result of residents trying to ward off termites.
Izamal, Mexico
Izamal, Mexico isn’t only warm in temperature. A warm, welcoming quality exudes from the region’s buildings and streets – almost all of which are painted a yellow hue. There are few theories as to why everything from local schools to the town’s main square is painted an egg-yolk yellow. Some believe the region was painted before Pope John Paul II visited in 1993. Others feel this color honors the Mayan Sun God. There are people who believe yellow was chosen as a politically neutral color choice. And lastly, some think the yellow helps to ward off mosquitoes. Either way, when visiting Izamal, you can’t miss seeing the yellow. Still, some of the best spots to check out include the monastery and the main square.
Conclusion
If you want a travel experience that energizes your spirit and dazzles your eyes, look for a colorful destination. You can explore a colorful, charming, historical neighborhood in Stockholm, Sweden. Stop to see the colorful seaside homes that shine through fog and stormy skies in St. John’s, Canada. Or learn the legends behind why the city of Jodhpur, India looks like it was painted by a giant brush in blue.
