The 500 Most Beautiful Cities in the World: #500–486

Quick reminder to please the blurb for criteria and other important info!

Population: 381,500

Christchurch, the city of 1,000 sheep! Well, not really, but the sheep aren’t the draw. The draw is the incredible architecture built around the calm Avon River following the devastating 2011 earthquake. The reemergence of Christchurch has rocketed the city to the top of any traveler’s New Zealand Bucket List. From its world-famous street art to its diverse markets to even the swooping, modern architecture on the banks of the Avon, Christchurch’s scenic city is breathtaking. The city has easy access to deep alpine reserves and swaths of beech forests as well as being the gateway to incredible backdrops such as the gorgeous Canterbury Plains or the exquisite Arthur’s Pass National Park, a prime destination for hiking and mountaineering in the Southern Alps. Within the city itself, must-see destinations include the iconic New Regent Street, the city’s finest shopping precinct, the Bridge of Remembrance, a monument dedicated to those who died in World War I, and the Christchurch Gondola, which takes you on a scenic ride up to the summit of Port Hills and providing 360˚ views of the majestic Southern Alps. Christchurch—this city’s real, man.

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: THE RISE OF MODERN ARCHITECTURE 🏗

Duluth? I thought that was an underwear company? It is an underwear company indeed, but it is also one of the most underrated port cities in the United States. What makes Duluth so special is that it turns the stereotype of disjointed, ugly industrial cities on its head. Duluth makes it work; she redefines what it means to be an industrial city. She makes them beautiful. Duluth does this so well that the focus of the Zenith City is not even on factories, but on entertaining tourist destinations like the Great Lakes Aquarium, the one and only all freshwater aquarium, the Aerial Lift Bridge, the most famous of its kind, and the adjacent Canal Park, a scenic and refreshing walk next to the Park Point sandbar and the Lighthouse Pier. Or, if you’re feeling tired, book a ride on the North Shore Scenic Railroad, taking you all around the city. Situated on the southwestern tip of Lake Superior, Duluth is home to both regal and time-honored estates—for example, Glensheen Estate—and big, wild mountains such as Spirit Mountain, a must-visit for mountain bikers. Go visit Duluth; it might just change your perspective of the common industrial city.

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: THE SUNSETS 🌅 

Hello? Manaus? Are you out there? Located in the center of the world’s largest rainforest, Manaus is there, and it has some of Brazil’s finest architecture and cultural heritage. Founded in 1669, Manaus has played host to both Latin Americans and Europeans alike, and the result is a fusion of culture and aesthetic beauty that is hard to find anywhere else on Earth. It’s beautiful Euro-inspired architecture and lush ecosystems earned the title of “Paris of the Tropics” and it lives up to the hype, sporting impressive feats of construction such as the Manaus-Iranduba Bridge and Opening of the Ports Monument. Also adding to its prestige is that it is the most important center for scientific studies taking place in the Amazon Rainforest and is known for being a big player in the International Sustainability Club. Places of interest include the mind-boggling Meeting of the Waters, the Amazon-themed CIGS Zoo, and the forested Parque do Mindu. Give Manaus a look, just don’t get lost in the jungle.

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: THE PALACE OF JUSTICE ⚖️

Population: 1.275 million

Did you know there are 9 lemur species that can be found in and around Antananarivo? No? Me neither, but it’s just one of the things that makes this city a joy to visit. And it’s not just the lemurs. Antananarivo has a rich cultural heritage dating back to 1610 with the advent of the Merina Empire, the ones who built the Rova, and currently enjoys the companionship of 18 Malagasy ethnic tribes living peacefully together. The city is also famous for its diverse range of trees, specifically the baobab, and a great variety of beautiful and tranquil lakes such as Lake Anosy. Antananarivo has a rich selection of endemic flora and fauna and is the gateway to Andasibe National Park, a lemur sanctuary and nature reserve. Places of interest within the city include the Rova, the royal palace complex, Ambohimanga, a royal city and burial site, and a fine selection of local markets and stores. Give it a try! Who knows, you might even see a lemur!

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: THE LEMURS 🐼 

(Unfortunately, there are no lemur emojis so please bear with me)

Population: 95,263

I hope you packed your parka and some warm clothes because Magadan is cooooold. The Eastern Siberia kind of cold. With an average year-round temperature of 27˚F, Magadan is not to be taken lightly. But the journey is well worth it, considering the vast expanse of pure, unadulterated wilderness that is mixed with a quaint Siberian city to produce some of the most beautiful scenery in Russia. Whether you go in the winter or summer, Magadan has something for you. If you’re into arts and architecture, visit the Mask of Sorrow or the Mammoth Sculpture. If you’re into nature, Nagayev Bay is one of the most pristine bodies of water in Asia. If you’re a history buff, the Dneprovsky Mine, a former gulag, is open and waiting for you to explore. If you’re an adventurer, Magadan is surrounded by snowy peaks, with many tours and guided climbs offered year-round, begging you to explore. Magadan is everything great about Russia wrapped into a secluded, magnificent, small city. Good food, good people, good times, and good scenery.

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: THE KOLYMA MOUNTAINS IN WINTERTIME 🏔 

Population: 1.952 million

Ah, Sapporo, the land of the cherry blossoms—Sakura, if you prefer. What’s not to love? The skyline is brilliant, lighting up the island of Hokkaido in different, dazzling ways. The cherry blossoms are gracefully beautiful, especially if you visit Maruyama Park, where they take excellent care of about 150 blossoms. The food is some of the best of the world—the finest in Japan, I dare say. The city has gained some international prestige in recent decades, having hosted the 1972 Winter Olympics, and their annual winter festival is world famous, as well as being the home of the iconic Sapporo beer. The city is the gateway to Hokkaido’s majestic mountains, perfect for an engaging hike, and bubbly hot springs (which, speaking from personal experience, are so incredible that I have ranked them second-best in the world behind Iceland’s). If you’re a skier, snowboarder, or snowshoer, you’re in luck because Sapporo has some of the most stunning ski resorts in Japan; I personally recommend the Niseko Grand Hirafu Ski Resort—it’s one of the most popular but has some of the best powder. Visit Sapporo! The Sakura are waiting for you.

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: THE CHERRY BLOSSOM TREES 🌸 

Population: 3,850

Legion of the Eskimos, unite! This is your city. Your heritage. Nome is about the farthest in Alaska you can go without sacrificing modern conveniences and is, in my opinion, the most underrated Alaskan city. For one, it has beautiful land reserves, such as the ones around Salmon Lake and the Bering Land Bridge. For another, it has that small-scale, mellow feel of Scandinavian cities like Longyearbyen, Tromsø, and Reykjavik. That feel that instantly puts you at peace with the world, where you can enjoy the idle follies of solitude while in snowy paradise. Nome has a rich history as being a predominantly Inuit settlement, as well as having a long gold rush history, with 40 abandoned dredges scattered across the city. Nome is known for its terrific fishing and bird-watching, and is one of the best places in the world to view the Northern Lights. The city is also famously the starting point for the Nome-Golovin Snowmobile Race as well as the finish line for the worldwide-acclaimed Iditarod Sled Dog Race. I also recommend checking out the White Alice Site for some Cold War-era radar nostalgia. If you are passing through Alaska, make sure to stop by Nome, it’s well worth your time!

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: THE IDITAROD SLED DOG RACE  🛷 🐶 🏁 

Population: 20,000

What’s that I hear? It sounds like a...oh my god that’s a massive cruise ship! But indeed, Castries is a main port-of-call for cruise ships in the Caribbean—and a spectacular one at that. Known primarily for its jagged Pitons, the island of Saint Lucia is a lush, mostly-overlooked, paradise. And where better to start than in Castries! The city has become renowned for its amazing white sand beaches, primarily the palm-lined Vigie Beach, and its incredible array of snorkeling for avid water hounds to explore. Recently developed, Castries has become a premier Caribbean destination and boasts that distinction with colorful mosaics, lively markets, and UNESCO World Heritage sites—not to mention the range of resort hotels both snazzy and affordable. The city has embraced its islander culture in the last couple of years and is now flooded with an infusion of delightfully eclectic cuisines, along with the occasional bonfire on the beach while watching the sun set over the picturesque island. If you’re looking for an exotic, unorthodox reason to visit, look no further than the various chocolate plants around Castries that give you the opportunity to make your own chocolate! I mean, how cool is that? Castries needs to be on your Caribbean bucket list, and if it’s not, put it on there immediately.

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: WATCHING THE SUNSET FROM VIGIE BEACH  🏖 🌅 

Population: 261,905

Anyone else feel a sense of awe floating into Venice on a gondola? I hope it’s not just me because Venice deserves all the hype it receives. The most popular tourist destination in Italy (sorry Rome!), Venice is sprawling with gorgeous canals, Gothic and Renaissance architecture, beautiful bridges, and interesting little shops. There’s nothing better than taking a stroll down Piazza San Marco at sunset, eating gelato and wearing a recently purchased necklace; that’s the Venetian vibes, baby! While Venice is awe-inspiring, there’s so much more than meets the eye. You may be tempted to follow the mainstream and see all the popular sites, but those sites only symbolize Venice. What defines Venice is its Calli. Ambling around the Calli, little alleys, of Venice, losing yourself in their charm and their fantastic architecture, is when you find you discover the true Venice. The roots of its medieval history, unchanged since Napoleonic times, it’s museums and churches more galleries of humanity’s expression than mere collections of art. While there are near infinite places to explore, I recommend visiting the Teatro La Fenice, one of the most famous opera houses in Italy and having survived three separated fires, Burano Island (for shopping galore), and any shop that deals with glass blowing. There’s just nothing like a handmade Venetian glass bottle. If you haven’t been to Venice, make sure to start to planning a trip immediately. If you have, go again! It would take a hundred trips to barely even scratch the surface of what the City of Canals has to offer.

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: STROLLING THROUGH THE CALLI  🛵

Population: 5.704 million

Wow. Just...wow. Move over Christchurch, we have a new leader for the Best Modern Architecture award. Where to even start? I guess we’ll start with the fact that Singapore is one the cleanest and safest cities in the world, as well as one of the best to start a business in. It’s also one of the richest and is one of the Big 9 highly-developed countries, with the second highest GDP per capita in the world. Aside from the city statistics, Singapore is just stunning to look at. Buildings and areas like the Marina Bay Sands Hotel (that’s the one that looks like an airplane) and the astounding Gardens by the Bay (the alien-looking biospheres) take the breath away. The city best comes alive at night, when the lights come on and the party begins. Culture trips like Orchard Road and fun locations like Haw Par Villa breathe even more diversity and ways to have fun into the city. If you like to live the luxe life, this city’s for you; if the luxury doesn’t interest you, Singapore is still cost-affordable and there are many smaller hotels that have just the same dedication to beauty as the bigger ones. If you’re looking to get engaged in the city life, visit a Batik painting class or book a sunset sail in the bay. Singapore’s living in the future, man.

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: THE GARDENS BY THE BAY 🪴🌊 

Population: 967,677

Cape Town or Port Elizabeth? It’s an age-old debate that South African beachgoers have had to answer. For those who want more to do and more to see, Cape Town is the place. For those who want a more laid-back atmosphere and more cultural history, Port Elizabeth is the place. Lying on the Algoa Bay of the Indian Ocean, Port Elizabeth, or Gqeberha as it’s been recently changed to, is a hybrid of old English and Xhosa culture, stemming from decades of British occupation starting in 1820. Known for its many blue-flag beaches, Port Elizabeth’s warm oceanic climate ranks among the best in the world; it’s also the gateway to the inner-South African outdoors and the Big Five Game tourism industry. Interesting places to visit in the city include the Kragga Kamma Game Park, a natural cheetah preserve, Bayworld, a maritime and natural-history museum, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, and Donkin Reserve, which has its own pyramid, lighthouse, and plaza. If you’re looking for the classical South African experience mixed in with a little beach life, Port Elizabeth’s your city.

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: THE BAYWORLD MUSEUM ⚓️

Population: 57,000

Do you see the penguins? No, over there—over past the mammoth mountain...there you go. Ushuaia is famous for its penguins, with the three main species being the Magellanic, Gentoo, and King. What’s great about Ushuaia is that you can see these penguins ambling down the street while sipping a classic Argentinian wine. The city is also notable for being the jumping-off point to Antarctica, with numerous tours both starting and stopping there, and for being the southernmost city in the world—a fine distinction that warrants a visit, if you ask me. It’s not just the penguins that make Ushuaia a desirable place to visit. The city is at the edge of the absolutely stunning Tierra del Fuego National Park, consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful National Parks in the world. Other things to do include hiking on Glacier Martial, being rewarded with gorgeous views of the city from the top of Mount Krund, and yes, frolicking with penguins on the shores of Isla Martillo. With all these draws and more, Ushuaia is a beautiful, picturesque city at the tip of South America that, for sure, merits a visitation.

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: TIERRA DEL FUEGO NATIONAL PARK  🪨🔥🏞 

Population: 7,740

If you’re a fan of puffins, this city’s the one for you. Sitting on the banks of Frobisher Bay on Baffin Island, Iqaluit is a puffin sanctuary filled with designated areas to watch these birds in their natural habitat. It’s also home to numerous tribes of caribou and the elusive Arctic fox. Keeping with the fauna of the city, you can find around town many animal shelters housing and raising huskies. The city has become somewhat modernized in recent years and now stands as one of the best cities with Inuit heritage, featuring a wide array of artisans, filmmakers, and musicians, as well as hosting periodic festivals throughout the year. For those seeking a little adventure, Qaummaarviit Territorial Park has a great collection of the archaeological remains of the ancient Thule people, the ancestors of today’s Inuits. The city is also home to one of most inventive and culturally significant languages in Canada: Inuktitut. There’s something for everyone in Iqaluit, whether your an aspiring artist or avid bird watcher. Go give it a try! Go say “Aingai!” (“Hello” in Inuktitut).

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: THE PUFFINS 🦜 

(Like the absence of a lemur emoji, the puffin emoji does not exist. Please bear with me)

Population: 431,889

It’s temple heaven out here! With temples of all shapes and sizes, the historic city of Luang Prabang, long known for its gorgeous array of rice farms, is home to a whopping 34 of these buildings, each one constructed in a unique and variegated way. Aside from the temples, the city is famous for its rich history, tracing its roots back six centuries to the early 1500s, and was the royal capital of the country until 1975. The city was also the seat of Laotian Buddhism, the most likely reason for all the temples, and still today is a holy site for many Buddhists. Lying at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, Luang Prabang has unnatural beauty exclusive to Southeast Asian river-cities, with a number of small hills providing gorgeous views of the surrounding valley; personally, I recommend Phousi Hill—the sunsets are amazing! The city is also home to exquisite wildlife reservations, such as the MandaLao Elephant Conservation, and stunning waterfalls, such as Kuang Si Falls, a lush, hidden paradise only a few minutes outside the main city. If a slow cruise down the Mekong River isn’t in the cards for you, Luang Prabang offers many other guided tours around the area, and is always willing to constantly show off its vernacular French architecture. And, while the food is an acquired taste, everything about is pure deliciousness. Luang Prabang is a three-head monster of history, nature, and cuisine, but don’t be afraid to put it on your bucket list.

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: THE RICE FARMS 🍚 🌾 

Population: 123,900

Oxford who? That’s right, Cambridge, you do own the spotlight. What’s not to love about Cambridge? One of the oldest cities in England, dating back to the 1st century (now that’s awesome!), and located on the River Cam, Cambridge is mostly known for its 812-year old university and it’s canals on the outskirts of the city. Nowadays, it’s a bastion of Old England, its rich history reflected in its architecture; the most noticeable of this being its bridges and cathedrals scattered throughout the city. Cambridge is also known for its modern wave of food, featuring both traditional and new elements. Are you a foodie? If so, visit SmokeWorks for the best ribs in all of Cambridge, NOVI for the best and most inventive cocktails, and Fitzbilies for their iconic homemade cakes. Into exploring the city further? Both the University Botanical Garden and The Backs Park provide wonderful opportunities to get in tune with the outdoors, while the King’s College Chapel is perhaps the most recognizable chapel in all of Southern England. Want to get crafty? Kettle’s Yard is a renowned contemporary art gallery where you can feel free to express yourself through the creation of works of art. All in all, Cambridge is both a grounded, down-to-earth city and a leader in educational innovation and cuisine. Check it out!

WHAT I LIKE THE MOST: SMOKEWORKS RESTAURANT 🍖