14 Most Colorful Cities You’ll Want to Photograph
Color can change the character of a place, and transform ordinary streets into works of art. Some cities around the world have embraced a rainbow of colors to express their culture, their history, and their creativity. Candy-colored houses perched on cliffs and rainbow-painted neighborhoods, these places are made just for your camera.
Whether you are just a traveler or a passionate photographer, these locations will offer gorgeous photo opportunities. While exploring these cities you will stop at every corner to snap the bursts of color that give each one a unique personality.
Chefchaouen, Morocco
The “Blue Pearl” of Morocco, Chefchaouen enchants visitors with its blue-painted streets and buildings of every conceivable shade of blue. They are said to symbolize spirituality and protection, as the calming hues of the city. A dream for photographers, Chefchaouen is tucked away in the Rif Mountains. Take snaps of the brilliantly painted blue doorways and flower-filled courtyards, among the maze-like streets.
Burano, Italy
Standing out just a short ferry ride from Venice, the island of Burano looks like a storybook image come to life. All the houses here are painted a different bright color, a red, a yellow, a blue, a green, all of them cheerful. It is said that fishermen painted their homes so they could be seen from the sea. It’s become a favorite spot for photographers today who want to capture a bit of charm with a splash of whimsy.
Havana, Cuba
Pastel shades on colonial buildings, and vintage cars in shades of reds and yellows, give Havana’s streets life. Every shot is more compelling because of the city’s weathered facades that bring texture and history to every photo. One of the most recognizable places in Havana, the Malecón seawall, covered with multicolored buildings is buzzing with energy and is a must-visit to snap the quintessential Havana photo.
Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa
A row of brightly painted houses against the dramatic backdrop of Table Mountain makes the Bo-Kaap neighborhood of Cape Town a visual feast. From vibrant pinks to sunny yellows, each home is a different shade, all reflecting the community’s rich cultural heritage. You can’t visit here without pulling out your camera to capture this explosion of color and history.
Jodhpur, India
Jodhpur in Rajasthan is one of the striking destinations, nicknamed as ‘Blue City’ because of its sea of indigo-painted buildings. The color was historically one used by the Brahmin caste, but today stretches across much of the old town. Go up to Mehrangarh Fort for gorgeous views of the azure cityscape down below. Nothing is as magical as the contrast of blue buildings against the golden desert.
Cinque Terre, Italy
Famous for its pastel-painted houses cascading down to the sea, this collection of five cliffside villages on Italy’s Ligurian coast is a must-visit. Wide-angle shots and panoramas are perfect in the towns—Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Monterosso. The colorful villages against the turquoise sea make for an amazing setting whether you’re hiking the coastal trails, or sailing along the water.
La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
A vibrant neighborhood, La Boca feels like a place designed by photographers. Caminito, a street, is a famous street lined with colorful walls of a rainbow range of hues with buildings reconstructed from salvage materials. Lively tango dancers and local artists who come to the area also contribute to the area’s aesthetic appeal and turn it into a cultural and photographic hotspot.
Pachuca, Mexico
It’s a hillside neighborhood, but it is also a living art project. They call it the “Mural City” because there are more than 200 houses painted in amazing, multicolored patterns by a local artist collective. The result is a massive public art piece you can walk through, and there are lots of angles for jaw-dropping photos.
Valparaíso, Chile
Chilean Coast port town is a living canvas of art and color. The streets are an open-air gallery, stacked with multicolored houses and murals, its steep hillsides packed in. Valparaíso’s artistic vibe is infectious and street art and graffiti just add to that vibrancy of the already colorful buildings.
St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
The “Jellybean Row Houses,” a string of brightly painted homes that line St. John’s hilly streets, put that town on the map. It is said the bold colors helped fishermen negotiate the foggy harbor. These cheerful houses are today an iconic symbol of Newfoundland, and photographers love to photograph them because of their charm and character.
Guanajuato, Mexico
One of Mexico’s most photogenic cities, Guanajuato’s vibrant buildings, winding alleyways, and colorful plazas are the perfect backdrop for your photos. The city’s houses are painted with shades of pink, orange, and green that are fitted into a mosaic of color against white mountains. You should not miss a panorama from the El Pípila statue.
Kampung Pelangi, Indonesia
The town that was once a struggling village in Central Java has turned into a rainbow wonderland. The locals painted every building in Rainbow Village, otherwise known as Kampung Pelangi, in vivid colors and made it a global sensation. This transformation into a cheerful backdrop not only stimulated the city’s tourism but also provided a merry coral background for photographers attempting to capture its vibrant colors.
Jaipur, India
The city is often referred to as the “Pink City”, and for good reason. The old town is seen in dusty shades of pink, a tradition that started in the 19th century when the city was painted to meet the arriving Prince of Wales. Jaipur’s architecture is warm and rosy, and it feels romantic, dreamlike, and great for photos.
Willemstad, Curaçao
The Caribbean waterfront of Willemstad is a riot of color. Dutch colonial buildings are painted in pastel shades of yellow, pink, and blue, all of which reflect the city’s sunny, tropical vibe. A row of these brightly colored buildings along the harbor called the Handelskade, was named a UNESCO World Heritage site and is an absolute must-see for photographers.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
Even if you’ve been on a safari in the past, an African photo safari is something you want to experience or at the very list add to the top of your bucket list.
But first, what is a photo safari? The phrase “photo safari” is not a common sentence structure but its meaning can be deduced easily. An African photo safari in general context means going on an adventure with the sole purpose of taking high-quality pictures.
10 Best African Photo Safaris You Must Experience
