The world’s most beautiful cities! (According to Conde Nast Traveller readers)
The annual poll asked readers to vote for the cities they consider the most beautiful and romantic. Poll respondents voted for their favorite cities across four categories: Most Romantic, Best Hotels, Best Restaurants, and Top Cities Overall.
Stayed tuned! We’ll be back to tell you more about each of these great places as we explore them over the next several months. (…and hey, if you find yourself in any one of these fabulous destinations, let us know! We’d love to have you follow along on social media.)
And now, without further ado…The World’s Most Romantic Cities, Ranked by Conde Nast Traveler Readers!
#1 Paris, France
“It’s all too easy to wax rhapsodic about the City of Light. But it really is a special place, with romance blooming at every corner.”
#2 Montreal, Canada
“Romantics can dine on French cuisine and gaze at the stars from the rooftop restaurant atop the five-star Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth.”
#3 Rome, Italy
“The Eternal City is not only full of history, majesty, and mouthwatering food, but it’s also steeped in romance.”
#4 Venice, Italy
“There are always gondolas bobbing by bridges; everywhere you walk you see evidence of art and architecture. Even a simple stroll reveals incredible sights: campaniles (bell towers) jutting up against starry skies; elegant doorways and windows framed within arching passageways; tiny alleys that turn into secret gardens. For those who enjoy piazzas, there are three principal ones—San Marco, San Polo, and Santa Croce—as well as hundreds of smaller square.”
#5 Lisbon, Portugal
“It’s the fusion of past and present that makes Portugal’s capital so romantic. The Moorish castle Castelo de Sao Jorge sits above the city, with panoramic views over tiled rooftops toward the Tagus River; nearby is St. George’s Chapel, resting place of knights of the legendary order of Christ.”
#6 Istanbul, Turkey
“The Turkish city brims with grandeur—in its mosques, palaces (the Topkapı Palace was built in 1478 for Ottoman sultans), fountains (don’t miss the 15th-century Çemberlitaş), and the vast domes atop the Hagia Sophia.”
#7 Buenos Aires, Argentina
“A river runs through it—the wide, slow-moving Río de la Plata. It’s lined with parks, horse-chestnut trees, footpaths for strolling or bicycling, and boat docks where you can board ferry cruises. The waterfront is home to arched stone walkways that lead past colonial buildings with porticoes to the city’s charming cafés and restaurants.”
#8 Honolulu, Hawaii (USA)
“Every inch of Hawaii embodies paradise; after all, it’s called the Islands of Aloha for a reason. But Honolulu is distinct: The city’s graceful, palm-lined boulevards are lined with flowering trees and brilliant bougainvillea. It’s hard to resist walking hand in hand down Kalakaua Avenue with the Pacific Ocean on one side and Diamond Head crater on the other.”
#9 Dublin, Ireland
“Ireland’s capital is many things—festive, historic, cultured. But above all else it’s romantic. Dublin Castle dates back to 1204; St. Stephen’s Green was once a marshland inhabited by wild ducks.”
#10 Portofino, Italy
“Although Portofino itself is tiny (population: 500), it has attracted some of the world’s biggest celebrities: Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton used to dine at Trattoria da Gemma, and Jackie Onassis married the late Aristotle Onassis here in 1968.”
#11 Sydney, Australia
“The harbor city touts natural beauty amid cosmopolitan flair. Its charming coastal path is perfect for taking long walks or cycling.”
#12 Charleston, South Carolina (USA)
“Romantic old plantations on the water’s edge are an iconic part of this picturesque city, but there are also art galleries, antique shops, and fine dining nearby. And not far beyond the city limits lies Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens, where you can stroll among moss-draped oaks festooned with Spanish moss.”
#13 Hong Kong, China
“A former colony filled with skyscrapers over Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong is something of a paradox: It’s known for its ultramodern architecture and neon lights, yet it’s also home to ancient temples and tranquil gardens.”
#14 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
“Sugarloaf Mountain rises majestically from the city’s sparkling waters. For a view that can’t be topped, ride the cable car up to Pão de Açúcar—a round-trip ticket costs just over $US 10.”
#15 Kyoto, Japan
“The ancient imperial capital is one of the most historically rich cities in all of Asia. In addition to 14 World Heritage Sites—including shrines and Buddhist temples—Kyoto offers teahouses overlooking traditional Japanese gardens as well as modern cafés and bars with live music.”
#16 Barcelona, Spain
“Barcelona’s Rambla promenade is a lively two-mile stretch of flower stalls, seafood restaurants, artists’ studios, and street performers. At the end of the golden-hued boulevard stands the Columbus Monument—one of Barcelona’s most famous landmarks.”
#17 Bruges, Belgium
“The perfect place for a stroll on a sunny day is along the canals. In addition to medieval sights such as Grote Markt Square and Basilica of the Holy Blood, there are plenty of cozy bistros where you can share a bottle of champagne while dining on local mussels.”
#18 Chicago (USA)
“Chicago’s biggest draws include the historic Wrigley Building, a gleaming white beacon of Gothic modernism with a clock tower that has become synonymous with the city skyline. Visitors should also stroll through Millennium Park to see Anish Kapoor’s reflective Cloud Gate (or “The Bean”) sculpture.”
#19 Doha, Qatar
“Doha is rapidly reinventing itself as an ultramodern destination for travelers. The Museum of Islamic Art was designed by I.M. Pei and completed in 2008; its 260,000 square meters (about 66 acres) house an exquisite collection of artifacts from Muslim civilizations dating back to the year 900.”
#20 Istanbul (Turkey)
“This ancient metropolis straddles both Europe and Asia, with Gothic-style minarets looming over Byzantine domes. There are also European-style cafes where you can sip cocktails while listening to live Turkish music.”
Conclusion:
After much deliberation, I have decided to not go along with the general consensus and leave Paris off of my list in cities. Many of you may already know that I am not a fan of this city and did not want to give it the satisfaction of being on my own personal ‘Top 20’.
I am aware that most people will disagree with me about this and continue to rave about Paris’ beauty and grandeur, but I simply can’t see past all its flaws including rude Parisians (tourists included), overpriced everything (including toilet paper in public restrooms!), crowded streets/subways, etc!