The world’s 50 most beautiful cities, ranked by travel experts

They say all roads lead to Rome, and they should – this beautiful city has ancient roots unlike any other. “It’s been around for almost 3,000 years, so it might be doing something right,” says Gary of Everything Everywhere. Grab a gelato and meander around this walkable city. You can’t help but run right into the Colosseum, where you can marvel at this structure, which has been a symbol of Rome since 80 AD. Stop by the Trevi Fountain to throw a coin in over your shoulder, which ensures you’ll visit again someday. And don’t miss the world’s largest church, St. Peter’s Basilica, as the breathtaking Renaissance-style architecture is known the world over. Everywhere you look, you’re sure to see ornate marble statues and fountains; go ahead and take a sip, as the water is fresh, safe and free.

As a country smaller than most major cities around the globe, Singapore could easily be overlooked. Don’t make that mistake. You don’t have to look far to find the beauty of this city-state – just look down. Singapore is known for having some of the cleanest streets in the world, thanks to strict laws on littering, vandalism, spitting and public urination. Plus, chewing gum is illegal in this country – and no, we’re not kidding. The iconic Merlion statue, which is a half-fish and half-lion creature, resides at the Merlion Park waterfront. Hop on a restored bumboat river cruise to see other famous attractions along the Singapore River, including the Boat Quay and Clarke Quay.

Portugal’s capital city has often been called one of the 15 best places to retire around the world due to its low crime rates and high quality of life. Its Mediterranean climate is beautiful year-round, and the seafood is second to none. Don’t miss the São Jorge Castle, located at the top of a hill in the city centre, for one of the most picturesque views Lisbon has to offer. Lisbon’s Pink Street (formerly its red-light district, which completed a makeover in 2013) is where the crowds gravitate in the evenings for bar-hopping and clubbing. Just follow the pink-painted pavement located in the neighbourhood Cais do Sodré.

Similar to Venice, Amsterdam is made up of about 90 islands connected by 1,500 bridges. In fact, it’s the “most watery city in the world.” On a hop-on, hop-off canal cruise, you’ll stop at such main points of interest as the Ann Frank House, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the A’DAM lookout. A visit to the city isn’t complete without a stop at Vondelpark, the city’s largest public park. Here, you’ll find about 30 species of birds, 12 fish species and more than 4,700 trees.

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Known as the “city of 100 spires,” Prague’s architecture is a beautiful sight to see. Begin your sightseeing adventure at the Prague Castle, which dates back to the 9th century and is the largest ancient castle in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, and then explore the St Vitus Cathedral right next door. Another beautiful sight to behold is the Prague Astronomical Clock, a medieval tower clock. If you time your visit just right, you’ll be treated to the hourly display of the Twelve Apostles moving through the windows, but be quick because it only lasts for 27 seconds!

The 30-metre-tall Art Deco statue of Christ the Redeemer at the summit of Mount Corcovado is arguably Rio de Janeiro’s most recognisable landmark. As for the rest of the city? “Who can compete with pristine beaches in the middle of a large city, people playing beach-volley or dancing samba, with lush green mountains in the background?” asks Tina Krongarrd of Politiken. For those unafraid of heights, take a cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain for 360-degree views of downtown Rio, the famous Ipanema beach, and the Rio-Niterói Bridge crossing Guanabara Bay.

Beauty is on display everywhere you look in Budapest, starting with the Neo-Gothic architecture of the sprawling Hungarian Parliament Building, which you can see from almost anywhere in the city. Budapest is split in half by the Danube River (on one side is Buda, which is more residential, and the other side is Pest, where you’ll find more nightlife), and you’ll actually get the best photographs from across the water at the Fisherman’s Bastion, located inside the Buda Castle. No matter which side of the river you’re on, the panoramic waterside views are hard to beat.

There’s only one city in the world that straddles two continents (Europe and Asia), and it’s Istanbul. Here, you’ll find a city of Muslims, Christians and Jews all living together – and the music, food and other rich expressions of these cultures melding together. A trip to the Grand Bazaar will allow you to browse the city’s most beautiful offerings, from Turkish crafts and silk clothing to jewellery and traditional copperware. Just how grand is this bazaar, exactly? There are more than 4,000 shops on 61 covered streets, and they attract between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. It’s a feast for all of your senses.

Love seeing historical and ultramodern architecture paired together? “With a seamless melding of old and new and picturesque pockets of nature interspersed throughout, Tokyo is a paradoxical wonder that never ceases to reward the urban explorer,” says Marc Matsumoto of No Recipes. Tokyo isn’t just one of the 20 largest cities in the world – it’s the largest. Visit the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan, Sensō-ji, for a taste of Japanese Buddhist architecture, and then Ueno Park and Zoo, Tokyo’s largest green space, which is absolute paradise in the heart of a bustling city.

Another city situated on the Danube River, Vienna is a “hip, vibrant city with a rich history,” explains Janna Graber of Go World Travel Magazine. Classical-music lovers will enjoy seeing the famous Mozart monument in the Burggarten Park and his grave in St. Marx cemetery. There’s another famous composer who made his name in Vienna, as well: Beethoven. Check out the Beethoven Museum, where he wrote his third symphony and his grave in the Zentralfriedhof cemetery. And if touring palaces pleases you, you’ll have many to choose from, including the Schönbrunn, Hofburg and Belvedere palaces – each one as beautiful as the next.

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