Stuck with the preconceived notion of straight lines and monotony, today’s cities become bland concrete jungles. Individual pieces of architecture shine through and build the city’s identity. However, whether a hidden gem or not, many cities worldwide are bound to awe anyone with the beautiful colours utilised in their designs. Whether done to combat climatic conditions, have historical meaning, or just something the residents put their minds to, here are some of the most colourful cities in the world!
Chefchaouen, Morocco
Located in Morocco‘s Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen’s buildings are painted in shades of blue. Labelled the “Blue Pearl of Morocco”, the city’s cobbled streets are adorned by historic buildings and houses. There are various theories regarding why the residents chose the colour— keeping mosquitoes away, representing the sky or water, or just lowering the structures’ temperatures. There are also speculations that this was done by Jewish locals fleeing the Spanish Inquisition to symbolise the sky and heaven.
Burano, Italy
Once belonging to fishermen, the little island of Burano is filled with brightly-coloured houses, where older women still sit outside, twisting and knotting the island’s well-known delicate lace. Every alternate year, the residents of Burano repaint their homes, with the island running on a strict colour scheme which has to be approved. Residences next to each other are never painted with the same hue, causing a beautiful contrast of colours. It is said that residents used bright paint to differentiate the properties and helped local fishermen locate their homes when they were coming back from the sea. While the eccentric look might be carefully thought out, it doesn’t take away from the city’s beauty.
Bo Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa
Bo Kaap is a neighbourhood where the colourful buildings are not only bright and cheerful but also talk about its past: this neighbourhood housed enslaved people from islands around Indonesia and Malaysia in the 1760s. The houses were white when enslaved but once freed, they painted the houses with the colour they wanted. Utilising both the Cape Dutch and Cape Georgian style of architecture, the neighbourhood is one of the oldest and has become a popular tourist destination today.
Jodhpur, India
Looking down from the imposing structure of Mehrangarh Fort, it’s easy to understand why Jodhpur is called ‘The Blue City’. Painted in various shades of blues, the colour was used to indicate social status in the city. However, today the colour offers many other functions— preventing termite attacks and keeping houses cool in the heat. The colour pigment provides a stark contrast to the desert and elevates the beauty of the city day or night.
Havana, Cuba
Havana presents pastel-coloured buildings around five plazas mixing classic architecture and its modern lifestyle— influences of Dutch, French, English, and Spanish architecture are present in the houses of Old Havana. Almost half of the buildings are painted in hues of pink, yellow or “colonial blue”. The city was coated in blue in the 16th and 17th centuries, similar to Chefchaouen or Jodhpur. Later, colour was introduced through stained-glass windows, stones, and majestic Art Deco facades, making up the city we know today.
La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires’ most colourful district, La Boca, earns its title due to the colourful wooden houses, street art, and the life that the residents bring to the community. What used to be a working-class neighbourhood has now become a tourist attraction worldwide. It’s said that people painted the houses with the paints left in the shipyard. What started as a working-class neighbourhood has become a vibrant tourist attraction for many.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Standing in defiance of the city’s grey weather, the houses in Copenhagen provide a stark contrast. Home to several artists, the capital city looks like a storybook with colourful buildings. Originally a red-light district, the 1960s brought about a change— the same picturesque houses still adorning the streets of Copenhagen— aptly earning the name Sunny Side.
St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
To revive downtown in the late 1970s, the initially bland Victorian houses of St. John’s were repainted in vibrant colours. Locals were encouraged by the idea; today, the area is a mix of bright red, blue, and green buildings. Called the “Jellybean Row,” it is deemed one of the oldest cities in Canada as European explorers discovered it in the 15th century. Various ship captains living here intentionally painted their houses in vibrant colours to make it easier to spot them from the water.
Valparaiso, Chile
Through the colourful houses and the street art, the hillside of Valparaiso is a marvel. Considered Chile’s cultural hub, it is regarded as the city equivalent of a matryoshka doll as it reveals treasures at every corner. The port town provides a gritty vibe with a vivid palette, earning its nickname “Jewel of the Pacific.”
Procida, Italy
Not as busy as the Amalfi Coast or Venice, but nestled between the Island of Ischia and the Cape of Miseno is Procida. Despite its small size, Procida offers pastel-coloured buildings, done to help fishermen identify their homes at sea. The narrow streets rising above the sparkling water and the beautiful colours on the structures provides gorgeous views and a worthwhile visit.
Guanajuato, Mexico
Easily considered Mexico’s most vibrant city, Guanajuato is a UNESCO world heritage site, painted with contrasting colours from green to orange. With most buildings following a Baroque or Neoclassical style, the Cathedral Basilica Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato is the main attraction, painted yellow with a contrasting red roof. The narrow streets and the surrounding hills add to the city’s allure, making it one of the most popular holiday destinations.
Rainbow Village, Taiwan
Initially a residential area for ex-members of the military, the Rainbow Village has a rich history. When many residents left, the village was at risk of demolition. One of the remaining residents, Huang Yung-Fu, began painting the houses to prevent destruction in 1924. After discovering the artworks, local university students protested to save the village. Yung-Fu’s efforts saved the town, and the neighbourhood is now a designated cultural area that sees over a million tourists yearly. Today, the Rainbow Village is a popular attraction for tourists in the Nantun District. The 1200 residences, all painted by Yung-Fu, feature beautiful colours and are inspired by nature and people.
Izamal, Mexico
Another city which adopted the style of painting all its structures in the same colour, Izamal’s yellow buildings emphasise its architecture. Located in the centre of the Yucatán Peninsula, Izamal’s yellow colour scheme comes from their strong traditions in the Mayan roots. Today, Izamal is an important ceremonial centre with seven Mayan pyramids and Spanish colonial-influenced monasteries.
Jaipur, India
Founded in 1727 by Jai Singh II, Rajasthan’s capital, Jaipur, is one of the earliest planned cities in India. In 1876, King Sawai Ram Singh had the entire city painted pink to commemorate Prince Albert and Queen Victoria’s visit to India. The city has since then maintained the colour scheme, from the boulevards to the landmarks. Known as the Pink City of India, it is now home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Amber Fort.
Las Palmitas, Pachuca, Mexico
Born out of a community project by artists called the German Crew, Las Palmitas was transformed from a neglected working-class area into a bright and colourful district. Repainted with colours like purple, orange, yellow, and pink, the city was transformed into a colourful rainbow in 2015. Overlooking Pachuca city, the city stands out and, even from afar, resembles a beautiful splash of colours.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini is a popular tourist destination because of its beautiful views of the Atlantic coast and its beautiful architecture, denoted by the colour scheme of blue, white, yellow, cream, and orange. While white houses are a commonality today, the people first whitewashed their residences due to it being a cheap and durable option. With the fragrant flowers and the hues of the coast, the city is a sight for sore eyes.
Guatape, Colombia
Guatapé boasts colourful squares like the Plaza de Zocalos and painted shutters, windows, and doors everywhere. Beautiful illustrations adorn the region’s residences, from animal paintings to shapes and patterns— called Zócalos, which narrate the stories of the village.
Sighișoara, Romania
Located in Transylvania, Sighisoara is an underrated travel destination. The medieval town is pedestrian-friendly, giving one enough time to notice the yellow, pink and green-coloured buildings. Challenging the traditional associations of stormy weather, endless farmland and gothic castles despite being the hometown of Vlad the Impaler, the muse for Count Dracula’s tales, every alley of Sighisoara is a burst of colour.
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Located in a quiet corner of Ecuador, the neighbourhood of Guayaquil gives off a bohemian vibe. Through the city’s winding streets, you’ll find white-shuttered and colour-splashed wooden houses. Today, artists own studios in the neighbourhood, which housed revolutionaries like Che Guevara. Rising on a limestone hill, the city’s white church provides a perfect contrast to the houses. The village has endured troubles, like the 1896 fire.
Cinque Terre, Italy
Attracting over 2.5 million people annually, Cinque Terre is a popular tourist destination in northern Italy. Even travellers who have never been to the city can imagine its beautiful skyline, filled with colours. The architecture is tinged with yellow, orange, pink and cream.
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Citations for websites:
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- Images/visual mediums
Citations for images/photographs – Print or Online:
Melgar, G.R. (2019). Chefchaouen, Morocco. [Photograph].
Kadic, B. (2019). The streets in the historic centre of Guanajuato are bursting with colour. [Photograph].
Rentz, L. (2020). St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. [Photograph].
Iacomino, F.R. (2016). Procida, Naples, Italy. [Photograph].
De Troya, E. (2015). Izamal, Mexico. [Photograph].
Monroy, D. (2016). Burano, Italy. [Photograph].
Newenham, J. (2021). Bo Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa. [Photograph].
Kraft, J. (2019). Guayaquil, Ecuador. [Photograph].
Maslanka, M. (2018). La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina. [Photograph].
Wong, C. (2021). Copenhagen, Denmark. [Photograph].
Stroujko, B. (2020). Cinque Terre, Italy. [Photograph].
Grier, L. (2019). Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India. [Photograph].
Bergstr, P. (2017). Havana, Cuba. [Photograph].
Menza, K. (2019). Valparaiso, Chile. [Photograph].
Kembei, N. (2022). Rainbow Village, Taiwan. [Photograph].
Cheng, V. (2018). Jaipur, India. [Photograph].
Jaramillo, S. (2019). Las Palmitas, Mexico. [Photograph].
Friemel, A. (2021). Santorini, Greece. [Photograph].
Baker, F. (2014). Guatape, Colombia. [Photograph].
Lavin, N. (2020). Sighisoara, Romania. [Photograph].
