The 10 Most Colourful Destinations in Europe
Europe is vibrant in every sense of the word, with its majestic capitals and vibrant coastal towns and charming villages that must be seen to believe.
There are many other vibrant places on this beautiful continent other than cities. These include postcard-perfect islands, culture-packed medieval plazas, hotels, flower gardens and exuberant market stalls.
Below are twenty of the most impressive. You’ll have to either imagine it or visit the site yourself.
Burano Island, Italy
Burano Island, surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Venetian Lagoon, is well-known for its lace-making tradition and the colourfully painted houses that line the canals. Local fishers painted the brightly coloured houses to mark boundaries and increase visibility from the water.
Juzcar, Spain
Juzcar, Andalusia’s Pueblo Blanco, transformed into Smurf Village, is a stunning sight. Beautiful hills surround its radiant blue houses. The story started in 2011 when Sony Pictures painted a traditional Spanish white village in bright blue to promote The Smurfs 3D film.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Although Europe’s northernmost and smallest capital city is isolated and cold, the Icelanders are full of energy and enthusiasm. This is evident in Reykjavik’s colourful, multicoloured cityscape. The houses are clad with corrugated iron and look straight out of a Lego box. It is one of the most photogenic places in Europe.
Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre is a stunning collection of five villages that cascade down the most rugged cliffs on the Italian Riviera. It captures the eye and softens the soul. The rainbow-coloured terraced houses, Monterosso al Mare and Vernazza, Corniglia and Manarola, look like precious jewels when seen from the sea. They are located along with one of the most stunning stretches of coastline globally.
Nyhavn Canal, Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen’s Nyhavn Canal was once a dangerous playground for sailors. Now it is one of the most vibrant and trendiest areas of town.
These brightly-coloured houses lined Nyhavn’s sunny northern side and were built in the 17th-18th centuries. They were originally intended to be rented out to the city’s middle-class and poor residents. The mansions that line Nyhavn’s canal’s shaded side were meant to be used as homes for the wealthy.
Wroclaw Old Town in Poland
Wroclaw is a city full of surprises for first-time visitors. This fourth-largest city in Poland has a unique blend of culture, history, charm and modernity. The Old Town’s well-preserved architecture is both eye-candy and mind-bending, and it reflects the city’s identity.
Wroclaw is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities, with its pastel-hued historical buildings surrounding the medieval Market Square (Rynek), ranging from Gothic and Baroque to Art Nouveau.
Longyearbyen, Norway
The small, remote mining community of Longyearbyen, nestled in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, is home to the world’s most northern settlement. It boasts stunning neighbouring glaciers and free-roaming Reindeers.
This doesn’t mean that this city is dull. The sun rises for four months, and the city has a little colour. Its kaleidoscopic wooden homes create a rainbow effect, brightening the harsh, achromatic environment.
Menton, France
Menton is the place where France meets Italy. The majestic Alps provide a stunning backdrop to the sparkling Med. It is a charming seaside town that combines the best of both Mediterranean worlds.
This resort is known for its beautiful Belle Epoque mansions, stunning tropical gardens, and charming old buildings in ochre, yellow and terracotta tones. They look like tiles on a roof when viewed from the water.
Procida Island, Italy
The beautiful waterfront of Procida is lined with pastel-coloured homes. It’s a gem of an island in the Gulf of Naples. It isn’t easy to find anything else that looks this good in many different colours. This small volcanic island looks great with its picturesque harbour and beautiful buildings in pinks, blues and yellows.
Whitby Beach Huts in North Yorkshire, England
The iconic North Yorkshire sight of the beach huts, painted in bold, crayon-like colours of red, green, yellow and blue along the Whitby promenade, is a striking example. These traditional coastal chalets are still used today and were popular during the 1950s when sunbathing was a popular family activity.