The British painter Francis Bacon said that “Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” . And the writer Émile Zola even added that it depended on the state of mind and the moment in life when you were looking. These criteria are a little too subjective to allow us to distinguish the cities that can be considered beautiful from those that are not. To avoid controversy, most travellers, in addition to their own experience, take into account different criteria, such as the size of the city, its architecture, its green spaces, its historical-artistic heritage, and the richness of its specific gastronomy .
Kyoto, Japon
Time seems to stand still in Kyoto. This former capital of Japan combines all the charm of a traditional city, whose inhabitants still dress in kimono, with more modern districts. It is one of the few Japanese cities not to have been bombed during the Second World War: its architecture and its heritage have therefore remained almost intact .
Located on the island of Honshu, Kyoto is considered the cultural and cinematographic center of Japan. There are more than 1,600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, former imperial villas, film studios and more than 200 gardens which are among the most beautiful in the country due to the great diversity of their flora. It is also a lively city where one of the most important universities in Japan is located.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
It is one of the cities that suffered the most from the Balkan war, a conflict during which it was severely bombarded. Despite its injuries, this European city has been able to regain its former beauty. Considered as "The pearl of the Adriatic" , this ancient city once shone in the field of arts and sciences. Its ramparts are now classified as a World Heritage Site .
They enclose a city of ocher color where reigns a very particular atmosphere, associating art and tradition. Its streets were once roamed by knights, fishermen, looters, kings and merchants. Today, many of the old craftsmen's houses have been transformed into art galleries, workshops, or small shops . The beauty of this city has inspired several series, including Game of Thrones, several seasons of which were filmed there.
Saint Petersburg, Russia
This city, whose many canals and some 300 bridges have earned it the nickname of Venice of the North , has carefully preserved the extravagant palaces inherited from the Empire of the Tsars . This former Russian capital, whose squares and streets lived through the darkest hours of the country's history, is now an open-air museum covered in snow in winter. Its cathedrals, palaces and various monuments radiate bright colors .
The Hermitage Museum contains some of the greatest masterpieces of world art . Visitors will also be able to visit part of the Romanov apartments there. The liveliest part of the city is Nevsky Prospekt. It is the main communication artery of Saint Petersburg and it is also where the most modern buildings are located.
Prague, Czech Republic
This fairytale town is one of the prettiest in Europe . It owes this to its architecture, of course, but also to a particular artistic sensibility. Extraordinary musicians, writers and filmmakers have been born there and have given it the bohemian atmosphere that we know of and which has earned it many comparisons to Paris.
Its medieval atmosphere transports us to another era and it is not difficult to understand why it is nicknamed the city of a hundred towers . She has more. Its historic district, the Charles Bridge, and its astronomical clock are among the treasures that enchant a growing number of visitors every year.
Bergen, Norway
It is one of the most photographed towns in Norway . The historic district of Bryggen, former headquarters of the Hanseatic League, awaits us with its famous postcard of colorful houses, inseparable from the image of the city. Bergen is built on seven hills , some of which are known to be home to the famous trolls. It is also the gateway to the fjords of Norway , which makes it an essential stop for anyone who wants to contemplate these wonders of nature.
At the KODE museum , you can see some of the most famous paintings by the great painter Edvard Munch on display . As for the pleasures of the mouth, you will find them at the port. Street vendors sell some of the delicious gastronomic specialties of this country, whose dried salmon and cod have become symbols of culinary identity.
Istanbul, Turkey
Straddling Europe and Asia , Istanbul is an example of the symbiosis between ancient Asian traditions and Western modernity. The history of what was once called Byzantium , then Constantinople , still vibrates in the oldest part of the city. This is where we find some of its most emblematic sites, such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, the Basilica Cistern, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar , which will transport you to another era.
Its most cosmopolitan district is on the other side of the Bosphorus where a western culture and way of life predominate. Istanbul has been able to open up to the world without losing its Turkish essence . It is also the only city where you just have to cross a bridge to change continents .
San Francisco, United States
This city of steep streets is considered one of the most beautiful in the United States. Its large spaces covered with gardens, its parks where you can escape the atmosphere of the city and the beaches that line the coast make it a favorite place for travelers. The Golden Gate is one of America's most famous icons , as is Alamo Square , where the famous Painted Ladies can be seen.
Its international character is reflected in its various multicultural and vibrant neighborhoods . It is also a city that attaches great importance to the performing arts, to music, and where the museums are as numerous and as varied.
Venice, Italy
It is the city of canals. It consists of more than 100 small islands joined together by more than 400 bridges . Its main asset is to be a pedestrian city, the only authorized circulation being that of the boats which traverse its channels. This is what has made Venice one of the most romantic and unique cities in Europe . Many artists have created their school there.
Its Renaissance architecture is inseparable from its identity, as is Piazza San Marco where some of the Italian cafes and restaurants most frequented by tourists are located. It was also a mecca for Italian music . It is the birthplace of Vivaldi. His opera is among the finest in the world.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Located in the state of Guanajuato, this Mexican city is one of the quietest in the center of the country . Its colonial past , which many buildings have kept track of, coexists with its Mexican essence which is expressed through its many popular restaurants, its markets, its gastronomy and its many museums. It played an important role in the Mexican War of Independence and is part of what is known today as the Route of Miguel Hidalgo .
San Miguel de Allende, which is the center of an intense cultural and artistic life , is surrounded by green woods. A few minutes from the historic center, you can visit the nature reserve of El Charco which houses a botanical garden and an irrigation system dating from colonial times.
The cap
A must-see destination on your trip to South Africa , Cape Town is probably one of the multicultural cities where the integration between European heritage and African characteristics is most successful. You will be seduced by the explosion of colors of its picturesque houses and by its environment: an almost virgin nature , with high hills, lush vegetation, beaches with crystal clear waters where colonies of penguins live (Simon´s Town), and a seal island (Hout Bay). Not far from there are some of the most beautiful vineyards in the country.