This is a collection of colorful, energetic European cities, villages, and neighborhoods that make you feel good and joyful. So, from north to south and east to west, here are some of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Some of them you may be familiar with, but many of them are probably new to you. However, they are all upbeat and colorful.
1. Burano, Italy
Burano deserves a second mention in addition to its place on my list of the most colorful cities in the world. This island village in the Venetian Lagoon is a steadfast favorite and can be reached from Venice in 45 minutes by Vaporetto.
Each house stands out in a different color, which is only accentuated by the local women, who are often dressed in black and skillfully making objects out of snow-white lace while sitting on chairs outside their homes. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a colorfully painted fishing boat traveling along the canal at the perfect time, making it almost—but not quite—too vibrant for a photograph.
2. Balat, Istanbul, Turkey
This is a charming area of Istanbul that is frequently overlooked in favor of the city’s other, undoubtedly magnificent neighborhoods and attractions. However, a visit to Balat should be on your itinerary if you enjoy little cafes that are ideal for people-watching and attractive architecture in many hues and tones.
The historic Greek Orthodox and Jewish neighborhoods of Balat and Fener, which are only a short tram or boat trip from the city center, are teeming with markets, cafes, restaurants, small specialty shops, and lively alleyways. Also, color. Visit Art Localist for a nice cafe/art gallery with great coffee if you’re looking for a great place to rest for a while.
3. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen is ideal for a city trip because it is compact enough to be explored on foot. It contains the third-oldest amusement park in the world, Tivoli Gardens, and a beautiful shoreline. You can be sure that your trip will be fantastic if you combine it with some of the top restaurants in the world, like Noma, and stores that sell the renowned Scandinavian style (whether it be in fashion or home décor).
And Nyhavn, the New Harbour, which is actually an old port from the 17th century, is the best place to find that splash of color. Along with beautiful sailing and fishing boats, the old waterfront is adorned with colorful buildings that make it one of the most popular photo locations in the nation.
4. Procida, Italy
Procida, a Fleagrean Island about 24 miles off the coast of Naples in southern Italy, is another vibrant island community. Procida’s tiny harbor is so charming it hurts. Imagine a small bay between towering, high cliffs, colorful houses lining the waterfront, a lemon-colored church, fishing boats bobbing in the protected harbor, and a promenade lined with cafes and restaurants.
Although it is beautiful on land, the best way to experience it is by boat, so taking the ferry from Naples or traveling there on a scheduled day excursion by boat is ideal.
5. Bergen, Norway
The second-largest city in Norway is surrounded by mountains and fjords, and its historic district surrounding the harbor is a visual treat. The UNESCO World Heritage site Bryggen, the Hanseatic wharf area where wealthy merchants erected their exquisite homes, is lined with stone and wooden homes alike that are decked up in pastel tones.
Wesenbergsmauet or Steinkjellergaten are two examples of the occasionally incredibly narrow cobbled paths that connect the residential residences scattered over the slope to the waterfront. In Bergen, it pays to get lost and take a haphazard right- or left-hand turns to see what you find.
6. Menton, France
Between Monaco and northern Italy, in the south of France, is a tiny medieval coastal town called Menton. Menton, which was founded by pirates and long dominated by the Monaco royal family, declared itself a republic in 1848 until it acquiesced to French rule in 1860.
Menton’s buildings are all painted in bright colors, from yellow to burnt orange to gentle reds and pinks, creating a scene that is the perfect fusion of Provencal and Mediterranean influences. This scene is especially striking when viewed from the sea.
7. Juzcar, Spain
From bright citrus tones to a Smurf-blue community. This small community in the southern Spanish area of Malaga has embraced several colors, not only the Smurf-blue hue. No, Juzcar is awash in Smurfs references. Even though there are fewer Smurfs around than in the past, you can still tell you are in a cartoon setting by the vivid red cartoon mushrooms painted on the blue homes or the Smurf figurines perched on balconies.
Despite paying fees for a period, disputes over Smurf copyrights forced the village to remove most of their Smurf displays. Smurfs or not, this settlement stands out among the typically bright white villages of Andalusia as being unusually blue.
8. Portmeirion, Wales
Portmeirion is a little peculiar. This Welsh Italianate coastal hamlet is essentially a gargantuan, colorful hoax. Over the course of 50 years, from 1925 to 1975, architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis planned and created the private village known as Portmeirion. Everything you’d expect to find in an Italian village is present in the village, including plazas, churches, gardens, pastel-painted buildings, stores, and the hotel where Noel Coward famously wrote Blithe Spirit.
There is no doubt that Portmeirion is modeled on an Italian town, notwithstanding Williams-Ellis’ denials that Portofino served as her inspiration. Many movies and TV shows have been filmed here, and it has served as an inspiration to writers and producers along the way.
9. Wroclaw, Poland
Southwest Poland’s Wroclaw is located along the Oder River, not far from the Czech and German borders. It is well renowned for its medieval market square, which is surrounded by structures with a variety of colored paint jobs. Henry the Bearded established the market between 1214 and 1232 by Henry the Bearded, and over time, the wealthy merchants’ homes and town halls (there are two) were constructed, each grander and more ornate than the last.
Every house is a different color, but many of them are also multicolored, like a dark red house with turquoise window frames and pink accents inside the frames. It is like a medieval scenario taken right out of a sweet shop.
10. Stockholm, Sweden
Another site you visit for so much more than just the colors is the capital city of Sweden. When you visit this lovely city, there are a ton of things to see and do!
