How about we talk about the most colorful cities in Europe today? A while ago, you were able to discover the most colorful cities in the world here, from Cape Town to Istanbul, and from Burano to Zalipie.
I am so in love with instagrammable places, coffee shops, and colorful architecture that I thought it would be nice to touch base on vibrant European cities to visit as soon as you get the chance.
So today, you’ll see lots of amazing cities, a lot of which we don’t hear about very often – but which are definitely some of the most colorful cities in Europe and worth a good, long sight!
And if you’d like to learn about other amazing places around the world, check out the following guides:
- The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Paris
- The Most Colorful Places in London
- The Most Instagrammable Cafes in London
18 Most Colorful Cities in Europe from Procida to Balat
Now that travel restrictions have begun to dwindle, it’s time to explore the world again and all the beauty and wonder it has to offer.
All during lockdown, you’ve been itching to take a trip across the pond, but where should you start?
If you want to add some (literal) color and vibrancy to your trip, these 18 cities mentioned below offer a great place to start.
Each one of these cities offers picturesque, colorful views that offer such unique experiences, regardless of the time of year you visit.
If you’re planning a trip overseas, here are the top 18 most colorful cities in Europe you should add to your itinerary!
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Reykjavik, Iceland
If I could have a passport to travel anywhere in the world, it would be to Reykjavik, Iceland.
The country’s capital has everything: exciting nightlife, fun festivals, gorgeous street art, and quite honestly, a view of nature in its purest form.
But one thing, in particular, I adore about Reykjavik is the personality the city possesses. And, much of that has to do with their charming, colorful homes that flood the local neighborhoods.
Blue, green, orange, purple – the charming homes in Reykjavik, Iceland have them all.
While many of these homes’ designs stem from the lack of natural building materials, such as stone, I love just the juxtaposition that these colorful homes have in contrast to what people normally think of when they think of Iceland.
Though it couldn’t be further from the truth, a lot of people tend to think of Iceland as this cold, drab place, and the fact that, instead, Reykjavik ranks as one of the most colorful cities in Europe is just so fun to me.
It really is a sight worth seeing.
Read: The Most Colorful Streets in Camden London
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Procida Island, Italy
Procida Island isn’t nicknamed the country’s most colorful island for nothing.
Situated on the southeastern coast of Italy, Procida Island is surprisingly one of the least visited Islands in the Bay of Naples.
And, considering how stunning it is, that fact is wild to me! Though small, Procida Island offers visitors a full day’s worth of excursions.
From shopping to great food, there’s no shortage of ways to spend your time. However, one of the best ways to indulge in this gorgeous oceanside town is simply by walking through it.
The houses and shops are painted pink, yellow, and orange and each one is bursting with personality.
If you’re visiting, I recommend getting up early to watch the sunrise, because seeing the sun bounce off the bay and the brightly colored houses make you feel like you’re living in a fantasy world.
Read: The Cutest Pink Cafes in London
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
With perhaps what’s one of the most interesting names of any city in Europe, Longyearbyen in Norway is a sight to behold.
These small cottages are all lined up next to one another, filling your eye line with vibrant hues of yellow, burnt orange, and red.
If you’re ready to get up close and personal with nature while visiting Svalbard, this administrative center is where you’ll get started.
It’s the gateway to exploring Norway the way it was meant to be explored.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Manhattan NYC
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Notting Hill, London, England
Ironically, walking through Notting Hill in London, England will make you feel like you’re in a movie. Just keep in mind that Hugh Grant probably won’t be found.
But, in all honesty, this city is so quaint and so colorful, and just so imaginative, that you really won’t mind not seeing your favorite characters from this classic film.
These pretty homes are painted in springtime’s best pastels, ranging from pink to pale yellow and light green.
If you’re planning a visit, be sure to take a stroll down Lancaster Road, St Lukes Mews, and Portobello Road, as this is where the most colorful homes are located.
Then, once you’re done, head to one of Notting Hill’s many restaurants for a fresh cup of tea and grab a table outside where you can continue admiring the sights of one of London’s most colorful cities.
Read: The Best Cat Cafes in London
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Sintra, Portugal
Sintra, Portugal feels like a city made of sunshine.
Here, you’ll find a towering castle named the Palacio Nacional da Pena, that’s been painted the most vibrant shades of red and yellow, cascading over the town below.
It’s rare enough to come face to face with a palace, let alone one that’s as brightly painted as this one. It’s a traveler’s dream come true.
In addition to these colorful buildings, you’ll have a chance to see some of the most ornate, medieval architecture in all of Europe. And that’s pretty cool!
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Lisbon
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Galway, Ireland
If there’s one place you definitely have to visit in 2023, it’s the picturesque city of Galway, Ireland.
The Emerald Isle is in a league of its own already when it comes to beauty, but Galway is home to some of the prettiest and most colorful houses in all of Europe.
Not only are the houses colorful, but so are the businesses lining the streets. It’s not uncommon to stumble upon a restaurant or cafe with a bold, blue, green, red, or yellow exterior.
Plus, with all the live music that can be found here, you can get everything you expect to experience on a vacation just by sitting outside drinking an ice-cold ale.
Read: The Best Vegan Bakeries in London
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Balat, Istanbul, Turkey
If you’ve ever traveled to Turkey, then you know just how spectacular this country is.
Between visiting the Blue Mosque and taking a hot air balloon over Cappadocia (which my cousin did and couldn’t stop raving about it), Turkey is unlike any other country in Europe.
But maybe that’s because Turkey isn’t *technically* in just Europe. In fact, the country is located in both Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia, so it has cultural influences from both regions.
While I could write an entire blog post on everything there is to do in this gorgeous country, right now I want to focus on one spot in particular: Balat in Istanbul.
Walking the streets of Balat is like being absorbed into a painting that’s hanging up in your local museum and exploring every brushstroke the artist made.
A walking tour that takes you off the beaten path comes alive with painted steps and vibrant murals, while the houses range in every color of the rainbow.
In some parts, you can even walk beneath colorful, dangling umbrellas that hang over the alleyways. And I haven’t even mentioned the shops yet!
The bazaars found here are so packed with vibrant golds, piercing reds and emeralds, and other shiny metallics that it’ll take your eyes a few minutes to adjust to all the color and beauty.
If there’s one place you need to travel to in 2023 and 2024, make it Balat. It’s earned the title of one of the most colorful cities in Europe for a reason. You won’t regret it!
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Paris
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Menton, France
It’s easy to think of France as being the New York of Europe. It’s posh, fast-paced, and very metropolitan.
However, if you want to enjoy a more relaxed visit, spend an afternoon in the French Riveria town of Menton.
This small beachside town is home to beautifully colored buildings, all bursting with the most romantic red and pink hues you can dream up.
These pastel houses line your pathway to the water, which is shimmering with the prettiest shade of blue.
Once you’re done taking in the sights and sounds of breathtaking Menton, take the train over to Italy. It’s less than a day’s trip to get there.
And when you’re there, you can check out some of the other colorful cities mentioned on this list!
Read: The Best Cafes to Study in London
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Villajoyosa, Spain
Spain is a traveler’s paradise!
It has everything you could want in an adventure and cultural experience, including majestic mountain ranges, volcanos, beaches, award-winning food, and some of the loveliest people you’ll meet in all of Europe.
One additional aspect of Spain you shouldn’t overlook is the colorful city of Villajoyosa.
This village has blocks and blocks of tall, thin, colorful buildings in every shade ranging from electric blues and pale yellows to rich reds and sunburst oranges.
Lining these colorful homes are rows and rows of palm trees, which completely transport you.
Like many European towns on this list, the houses here were painted vibrant colors to help guide fishing boats back to shore.
Here, you won’t feel like a tourist. You’ll just end up feeling like another resident.
Aside from the colorful houses, La Vila, as the town is commonly referred to by locals, is also known for its melt-in-your-mouth chocolate and gorgeous sandy beaches.
It’s a good thing that the word “joy” is in this city’s name because that’s all you’ll experience when visiting.
Read: The Best Starbucks in London to Work
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Santorini, Greece
If you’re anything like me, then the image of Santorini, Greece probably isn’t the first to come to mind when thinking of the most colorful cities in Europe.
After all, the majority of the buildings are completely white. But it’s within this color palette wherein lies a secret.
Perched on top the majority of the white cliffside houses in Santorini, Greece are bright blue roofs.
These roofs are an electric blue, and when paired with the understated houses beneath them, it makes the entire city pop.
Of course, the streets are lined with other colorful buildings, but this stark white and blue contrast is unlike anything you’ll see in the world, making it by far, one of the best places to visit in Europe.
Read: The Best Caffè Nero in London
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Sighisoara, Romania
You know those towns where it’s just so fun to visit that you really don’t want to leave? That’s the city of Sighisoara in a nutshell.
Located in the heart of Romania, this robust city is bursting at the seams with color.
It’s not unusual to find blocks of buildings painted orange with red accents or bright green with yellow trim encasing the doorframes and windows.
Here, it really feels like every house is more colorful than the one before it. It’s not an overstatement to say that every house is like an art project come to life.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Brooklyn NYC
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Poznan, Poland
The picturesque city of Poznan, Poland is known for two things: their croissants (sorry, France) and its pretty, colorful buildings.
This city is chock full of history, dating all the way back to the 10th century.
And, even though many of the buildings here were destroyed during World War II, they were rebuilt during the 1950s.
During this reconstruction, no two buildings were constructed or designed the same way, which is why Poznan feels so much more eclectic than other cities in Poland, let alone throughout the rest of Europe.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Barcelona
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Júzcar, Spain
I wrote about Júzcar, Spain in another blog (check out 20 Most Colorful Cities in the World), but it’s worth mentioning again when looking at the top 18 most colorful cities in Europe.
Júzcar was your standard village until one day, in 2011, Sony Espana decided to promote the Smurfs movie and paint the entire village blue – and I do mean everything!
Though promotion for the film has since ended, the residents loved the new look of the town so much that they decided to keep it.
And, that decision is our gain because it’s truly one of the coolest, most colorful cities in Europe. Not to mention, it’s one of most interesting countries in Europe, too.
Read: The Best Nontouristy Things to Do in London
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Cinque Terre, Italy
Out of all the cities on this list, Cinque Terre in Italy stands alone in terms of vibrancy. You will soon be able to discover all the most colorful cities in Italy on The Working Line, and for sure, you will see Cinque Terre in that guide.
This cliffside village not only offers stunning views of the bay below, but the houses and streets here are lined with vibrant shades of pink, turquoise, and lemon yellow.
In what’s become a bit of a running theme so far in this blog, legend (yet again) has it that the houses in Cinque Terre were painted so vibrantly so that fishermen could return home safely.
However, another interesting legend is that the homes were painted specific colors so that the husbands, upon returning home from their fishing trips, could easily pick out their houses to see if their wives were home.
We’ll never quite know for sure, but one thing that isn’t up for debate is how much fun you’ll have strolling the streets of Cinque Terre, grabbing a glass of wine, and taking in the cerulean sea and crystal blue skies.
Read: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Rome Italy
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Stockholm, Sweden
Did you know that Stockholm, Sweden is actually known for its colorful buildings?
Bright, vibrant colors line the capital’s most popular town, Gamla Stan. Here, you’ll be surrounded by the most beautiful shades of orange, red, green, and yellow you could ever imagine.
However, that’s not the only place you can find them!
Take some local transportation to Lund, Smogen, and Malmo to see even more quaint, colorful municipalities that will make you fall in love with Sweden all over again.
Read: The Best Things to Do on Solo Travel to Rome
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Riga, Latvia
Unless you’ve visited, chances are, you’ve never heard of Latvia.
Tucked between Lithuania and Estonia rests this country that’s home to one of the most colorful cities in Europe: Riga. And it really is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe!
The buildings here aren’t the most vibrant on this list, but they are mostly different shades of red, pink, mauve, and salmon, which makes the city look very idyllic.
If you want to see these colorful houses, take a stroll through the historic center, as this is where the majority of them are located.
Whether you’re taking a stroll past the House of Blackheads or continuing through Dom Square, you’ll always be surrounded by beautiful architecture that will melt the heart of any romantic.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in Rome
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Burano, Italy
Located near the Venetian Lagoon lies the picturesque town of Burano, Italy. As soon as you visit, you’ll be swallowed up by colorful houses and bright, clear water of the nearby canals.
This city has a lot of history, with the beds in many of these homes originally made and constructed from dry leaves.
In regards to why the homes here are so colorful, it’s believed that they acted as a guide to help bring local fishermen into port, as the island tends to get a bit foggy, especially during bouts of bad weather.
Regardless of the legend surrounding these colorful properties, I’m glad they exist because there’s nothing quite as relaxing as eating some gelato while admiring the quaint, bright pink, orange, and yellow buildings lining my view.
It’s truly one of the most colorful cities in Europe you’ll want to re-visit year after year.
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in East Village NYC
Most Colorful Cities in Europe: Alesund, Norway
Heading back to Norway, let’s take a virtual visit to the quaint and colorful city of Alesund.
The colors here are more muted than in other cities on this list, but they’re still beautiful to look at and admire.
Anywhere you go will be met with towering yellow and red buildings that come alive with shimmering lights at nighttime.
What makes these buildings so impressive, besides their lovely hues, is the entire city is known for being heavily influenced by Art Nouveau architecture.
This town is not only extremely walkable but Instagrammable, too, so keep your camera out at every turn. A visit to Alesund is one you’ll surely want to document.
Read: The Best Chain Cafes in London to Study
18 Most Colorful Cities in Europe from Procida to Balat
Have you visited one of the most colorful cities in Europe you’ve seen here today?
If you don’t know any of them, you’ll hopefully have discovered lots of really pretty towns and super instagrammable capital cities – they’re all well-worth a visit!
Other Travel Posts
- The Best Cafes to Work in South London
- The Best Cafes to Study in West London
- The Best Coffee Shops in Shoreditch
- The Best Gluten Free Bakeries in London
- The Best Vegan Doughnuts in London
- The Best Bakeries in Rome
- The Best Bakeries in Paris
- The Best Maritozzi in Rome
- The Best Free Things to Do in Rome