When deciding where to travel to next, aesthetics often play a big part in our decision making. Let's be real, no one wants to go on holiday to a destinations that's 50 shades of grey. Blame it on the Instagram effect - A well filtered #wanderlust snap can bump a location to the top of your bucket list in an instant, and realistically more and more people are planning trips with the gram opps in mind (I know I do, but then it is my job!).
If you're looking for inspiration for your next adventures, I've rounded up a list of 15 of the most colourful travel destinations in the world. As a self-confessed colour enthusiast, all of these are places I've visited myself over the years. From the pink palaces of Jaipur, to the fairytale-worthy pastel fishing villages of Italy, there's plenty of colour-filled places to spark your travel wanderlust.
01. Havana, Cuba
There really is nowhere quite like Cuba, thanks largely to it's relative isolation over the course of the 20th century. The capital in particular is a visual feast, known for it's paintbox hued buildings and equally colourful classic 40s and 50s cars. All of these components tell an important chapter from Cuba's history - the Spanish architecture of it's colonisation, the vintage cars of American imports before the Cold War cut of ties between the two countries.
In terms of photo ops, you're spoilt for choice. Havana is pretty much a photographer's dream, from the grand buildings of Old Havana where old cars parade in front of pastel houses, to the colourful streets of the neighbourhoods. Fair warning however, it's quite a bit more rundown than photos tend to suggest. If you're doing a full trip of the Island, nearby Trinidad has plenty of colourful moments of it's own and is well worth a visit, or escape to Varadero or Cayo Coco for some fun in the sun...
02. Jaipur, India
I could pick pretty much any Indian city for this list if I'm honest, but "The Pink City" was an obvious winner because if there's one thing Instagram loves, it's pink. Dubbed the pink city as it was painted pink (more of a terracotta peach if I'm being picky), considered the colour of hospitality, by the reigning Maharaja in 1876 to welcome Prince Albert during his tour of India. It's an impressive feat, and visually totally worth the effort.
However Jaipur isn't aaaall pink - head to Patrika Gate for a line of beautifully intricate pastel toned arches, or visit City Palace for the breathtaking blue Summer room. But if you've got your heart on seeing Jaipur's namesake, you have to visit the iconic Hawa Mahal up close, or head to one of the rooftop cafes opposite for photos.
Read More: The Jaipur City Guide
03. Venice, Italy
Italy is one of my favourite countries to visit, certainly in Europe if not the whole world. It's got everything - great food (pizza and prosecco on repeat please, and don't even get me started on truffle...), beautiful architecture, heaps of history, and the weather is almost always better than London. What's not to like? Sure, it's touristy, especially in Summer when it feels like the whole world has descended upon the country, but not without due cause!
Venice in particular gets more than it's fair share of tourists, however it's hard not to understand why. Every corner holds new surprises, whether you're ogling Piazza San Marco and the awe-inspiring Saint Mark's Basilica, or getting lost in side streets and discovering unexplored squares from which to people watch with an Aperol and cicchetti (much recommended, in my opinion the best way to discover Venice).
In terms of colour, find the boldest hues with a boat to the nearby Island of Burano, known for it's coloured fisherman's houses. There's not much to do except admire the views and learn about the Island's lacemaking traditions, so is perfect as a short half day trip from mainland Venice. The Island is small, so get there early to avoid the crowds!
Read More: The Venice Travel Guide
04. Bangkok, Thailand
I'll keep this one brief as I wrote my Instagram Bangkok Guide only recently, but Bangkok is a treasure trove of Instagrammable hotspots and colourful locations to explore. The main draw is the temples, including the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun (but there are countless to discover all over the city!). Each one is unique and made up of intricate painted and carved details covering ornate spires and arches.
Once you're all templed out, head to one of the cities many colourful cafes to refuel, from decadent flower walls (London got nothing on these!) to all pink affairs. An Instagram dream! Oh, and the food is pretty good too...
Read More: An Instagram Guide to Bangkok, Thailand
05. Porto, Portugal
Portugal seems to be having a 'moment', capturing the hearts and minds of legions of travel bloggers, writers, and tourists with it's iconic blue tiles, laidback culture, and moreish pastel de natas. Though Lisbon could just as easily make this list (check out the Pink Street and nearby Pena Palace in Sintra for colours aplenty), it was Porto that really stood out to me.
The city has several Cathedrals and churches decorated with intricate blue tiled murals and patterns, that are fascinating to visit and make for a great photo. But it's not just the photo ops - take a boat down the Douro, load up on seafood on it's banks, or cross the river to visit one of the many Port cellars for an introduction to the history of the famous drink (and tasters, obviously!).
Read More: The City Break Guide to Porto
06. Oaxaca, Mexico
Characterful Oaxaca (pronounced Wahaca, like the British Mexican restaurant chain) is a state in Southern Mexico boasting nature sights, laidback beaches, and colourful towns. The capital city is a bustling spot to while away a few days, lined with picturesque brightly coloured colonial buildings framing an impressive central cathedral. There's plenty of colour to find, from the boldly-hued houses to the vibrant market stalls that lines the streets. Sight-wise, the botanical gardens (Jardín Etnobotánico) is an interesting way to while away an hour or two, and to get a snap with the striking rows of cacti.
07. Cinque Terre, Italy
Yes Italy gets two destinations on this list, but I've already waxed lyrical about my love for the country so are you really surprised? If you've visited Cinque Terre or just seen any of the five pastel hued villages overlooking the ocean that comprise it you'll know why it had to be on this list. Each village is as picturesque as the last, starting from the photogenic striped beach umbrellas of Monterosso down to Riomaggiore's multicoloured harbour. There's not a huge amount to do except eating, drinking, or hiking the many trails in the region if you're feeling energetic, but that's part of it's charm.
My personal favourite is Manarola, with pastel houses set into the cliff, curved in such a way that it's easy to great a great view overlooking the town. Head to restaurant Nessun Dorma for the best views, but make sure to get there for opening for the prime tables. Oh, and did I mention that the region is known for it's pesto? As if you needed more reasons to visit... Grab a takeaway pesto pizza from one of the many stands and watch the sunset - life surely can't get much better.
Read More: The Cinque Terre Travel Guide
08. Seville, Spain
Ah, Seville. Italy may be my favourite country, but Seville probably wins top spot as my favourite city. Boasting a unique mix of Islamic architecture and laidback Spanish vibes, it's unlike the rest of the country yet still feels quintessentially Spanish. The perfect short city break destination, it's small enough to see in a couple of days without pushing yourself too hard, and allowing for plenty of tapas and sangria breaks.
But you're probably more interested in the sights, of which there are plenty. The showstopper is the grandiose Plaza de Espana, built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exposition. The structure is made up of a curved row of colourful alcoves, each representing a different province in Spain through tiled depictions. It's a real marvel to see, and offers up a variety of photo opportunities.
The other must-see sight is the Royal Alcazar of Seville, a Royal Palace boasting a medly of Arabic, Renaissance and Baroque influences. Or head to some of the smaller Casas (which served as palaces) to admire similar architecture in a quieter environment.
Read More: My Seville City Guide
09. Marrakech, Morocco
First off, I'll admit that Morocco isn't one of my favourite countries to visit. Getting followed and hassled continuously has meant that I've had less than pleasant experiences in the past. Nonetheless I can't deny that Marrakech deserves a spot on this list, because boy is it colourful. There's the hustle and bustle of the souks, the super aesthetically pleasing Riads, the majestic Hotel Mamounia and YSL's oasis Jardin Majorelle all worth visiting and snapping. You only need a couple of days as the city is fairly compact, and I'd recommend visiting with a male to minimise harassment (I've visited with a man and separately with just women and had very different experiences..).
Read More: The Marrakech Mini City Break Guide
10. London, England
I mean, I couldn't not include London, could I?! My hometown can be a bit bleak and dreary at times when it's been raining for days with no end in sight, pouring down on rows of grumpy monochrome commuters. However there are plenty of pockets of colour that have made many of it's corners "Insta-famous", from the iconic red phone booths and buses to the pastel-hued houses of Notting Hill. Paired with the invasion of Instagram cafes popping up all over the city, complete with flower walls and aesthetically pleasing brunch menus, and you really are spoiled for choice as to what to aim your camera at first. I've got plenty of guides to help you eat, drink, shop and photograph your way around the city in my London section, including all the best Grammable cafes and London's complete Instagram photo ops.
11. Cartagena, Colombia
South America is awash with dramatically beautiful colourful destinations, but in my eyes at least, the most dazzling is Cartagena. There's the Old Town, packed full of bold multi-coloured buildings, or head into the neighbourhood of Getsemani and ogle the impressive street art. If it wasn't already pretty enough, the streets are lined with fuchsia coloured bougainvillea spilling out over doorways and framing windows. If you're looking for colour, you've definitely found it in Cartagena.
Read More: The Cartagena Travel Guide
12. The French Riviera
France isn't perhaps the most obvious country if you're looking for colourful travel destinations, however it holds it's own. In particular, you'll find plenty of colour in the rainbow-hued French Riviera. The stretch of spectacular coastline is home to a number of small resorts and harbour towns such as Menton and Villefranche-sur-Mer. Expect charming pastel Old Towns, picturesque villas, and lines of striking ochre buildings.
13. Procida
Okay, okay, just one more Italian destination. It's just such a colourful country! But I couldn't write this list, and not mention the island of Procida. I'm not sure I even need to bother with an explanation, I mean, just look at it...
Procida is first and foremost a fishing village, with traditional brightly coloured houses allowing fisherman to spot their abode whilst at sea. It's got a laidback charm, with very few sights, glitzy shopping and hotels, unlike it's famous neighbour Capri. The sleepy island can be found on the west coast, just a short ferry ride from Naples. At under 2 square miles, it's a fairly tiny stretch of land that can easily be traversed in a day, or even half day, trip.
14. Cape Town, South Africa
There's one specific area of Cape Town that makes it worthy of a spot on this list, and that's the neighbourhood of Bo Kaap. The home of the Cape Malay community, the area historically housed slaves under the rule that all houses must be kept white. When eventually able to buy their homes, they painted the facades bright colours as a symbol of their freedom. There are a number of boldly coloured streets throughout the neighbourhood, which you can visit to discover more about the culture and history of the area.
15. Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is one of the most popular city destinations in Europe, and with good reason. It's a city of creativity, extravagant buildings, and of course, plenty of colour. It's best known for the wealth of Gaudí architecture throughout the city, such as the skyline dominating Sagrada Familia, and the mosaic-tiled Park Güell. For colour lovers, there's also Gaudí's first major project, the lavishly decorated Casa Vicens. Or head to the Palau de la Música Catalana for a snap amongst the intricate mosaic pillars.
Give me a shout in the comments if you've been to any of these, or if I've missed off any must-visit colourful travel destinations that simply must be on this list.
