r/geography • u/Content-Ad4872 • 13d ago
In your opinion, what is the most beautiful city in the world? I'll start with Vancouver Canada Discussion
269
u/Seamusmac1971 13d ago
36
u/82wanderlust 12d ago
I think is my 2nd favorite town. The light when it starts to get dark...sunsets by the bridge, sipping wine... #LifeGoals
→ More replies10
u/one_pound_of_flesh 12d ago
Love Porto. Forget the wine caves, just chill on a tiny plaza overlooking the river. Eat tinned fish and sip fortified wine. Bliss.
343
u/Vanillibeen 13d ago
I've been to Moose Jaw. Now I can die.
91
u/masterbedmate 13d ago
Oh you haven’t truly died until you’ve been to Lloydminster.
40
u/Content_Suspect 13d ago
As a Lloydminsterite, I genuinely did not expect Lloydminster to be uttered in this thread lmao
→ More replies16
→ More replies16
29
9
8
→ More replies12
559
u/kaitoren Human Geography 13d ago
69
u/JabootieeIsGroovy 13d ago
is the water there cold? noticed it was on the north side of spain which has that chilly atlantic
90
u/Mygoldeneggs 13d ago
San Sebastián is very rainy in general. In summer it gets very hot, +30°C during the day but it gets cold and chill during the night.
Southern cities in Spain do not give you a rest with the hear at night.
The water temperature during the summer is perfect. You can stay hours if you want but is chilly, so you can refresh from the day. Is colder than the Mediterranean sea.
During winter is cold, you can swim (some do it daily) but is definitely too much for a normal person. You wont die or anything if you fall but is cold.
There are good waves for surf around.
Is a beautiful city, with great food.
40
20
u/mademden 13d ago
I have been living in Vancouver for 2,5 years now and recently visited San Sebastian for work in mid-May. %100 agree. Food, culture, mountains, ocean. Four horsemen completely. And as far as I saw, not so crowded and chaotic because of tourists like Barcelona.
4
u/DesperateProfessor66 13d ago
I dont get it...I've been there and IMO Santander also in Northern Spajn looks even prettier. But you can call either the moat beautiful city in the world...I mean compare it to Rio with its tropical vibes its architecture and its people😁
→ More replies4
246
u/hallouminati_pie 13d ago
Incredibly subjective but I'll throw my hat in the ring for Edinburgh. A symphony of stone as if the buildings were carved straight from the rock.
→ More replies27
u/Ein0p 13d ago
I'm from Newcastle so I've visited Edinburgh a fair few times at this point, if we're talking strictly cities I don't think there's anywhere I've been that looks prettier. It makes me happy just being there. Would've moved there for uni if they offered the course I'm doing, still might after I'm finished
574
u/PapaGuhl 13d ago
Edinburgh, UK
Dubrovnik, Croatia
132
u/grumpsaboy 13d ago
Old town Dubrovnik was beautiful
→ More replies48
u/FishUK_Harp 13d ago
The old town of Zadar is worth a look too. A Venetian city.
16
u/the0TH3Rredditor 13d ago
https://www.croatiaholidays.info/wp-content/uploads/sites/133/makarska-costa-hd.jpg
Makarska is truly gorgeous, getting there on the ferry was super cool.
→ More replies12
u/the_procrastinata 13d ago
I LOVED Zadar, was blown away by the sea organ along their waterfront too. What a cool and fun place.
14
u/ShouldaBennaBaller 13d ago
Took a driving trip from Dubrovnik to Zagreb back in 2018. Zadar was by far the coolest place we visited. Just a had a feel of that region that I can’t describe.
→ More replies12
13
5
→ More replies4
483
u/OllieV_nl 13d ago
Valletta, Malta. Need to return there one day.
320
u/nightandtodaypizza 13d ago
→ More replies75
u/SkomerIsland 13d ago
It looks amazing from this angle (at sea) but it feels like other Mediterranean towns when walking
26
u/OllieV_nl 13d ago
I had never been to other Mediterranean towns. I'm sure they will all look like Valletta to me.
→ More replies6
u/Spiritual_Brain212 12d ago
"Every time I describe a city I am saying something about Venice" - Italo Calvino, Invisible Cities
38
→ More replies15
u/Professional-Year377 13d ago
Great pick. Grand harbour exceeds the name, it’s a special kind of majestic. Fantastic area to explore
92
u/Electrical_Stage_656 Geography Enthusiast 13d ago
It depends on what you define as a "city", anyway for me the most beautiful will be forever Sorrento(Italy)
12
u/makanimike 12d ago edited 12d ago
I think it also depends on what we are judging to be beautiful.
A lot of the suggestions, imho, have beautiful landscapes around them, scenic areas and nice cityscapes from a good photo spot. But, over the entirety of the city, are sometimes a bit average.For the city over large parts of it, and also including what it has to offer in terms of restaurants, shops, culture, I think Stockholm is a great example for a top contender. It sucks in terms of some intangible aspects though. (judging after having lived there for 4 years).
→ More replies24
u/masterjaga 13d ago
If we go Italy, let me suggest a place "off the beaten path": Noto
→ More replies
34
171
u/Kakapocalypse 13d ago
Sleeper answer: the old medieval core of Tallinn, Estonia is really, really pretty if you like the old medieval city look.
→ More replies16
u/Dont-be-a-cupid 13d ago
In the last couple of weeks I have heard of Tallinn multiple times in different dramas - is there a tourism push going on there?
14
→ More replies5
u/Kakapocalypse 13d ago
Idk, I went for a couple days when I visited Finland, and really enjoyed it.
304
u/Initial_Leadership37 13d ago
Cape Town
346
u/ctnguy 13d ago
68
u/stonklord420 13d ago
I have never seen this before and didn't realize what I had been missing
→ More replies147
u/communityneedle 13d ago
On the other hand, I have good friend from Cape Town who was absolutely astonished when he visited the US that none of the houses in my lower middle class suburban neighborhood was surrounded by 20 foot high concrete walls topped with razor wire. He was like "but how do you stop the roving gangs from coming in, slaughtering your whole family, and taking all your stuff?!"
26
u/stonklord420 13d ago
I can't help but laugh at that but also it's absolutely fucked that is such a common issue. I'm not saying I'd want to live there but I'd never even clocked it as a place to visit, let alone something that might be so beautiful (in that picture, at least)
Anecdotal semi related story, I remember the culture shock when I went to Costa Rica a couple years back. This was my first time traveling anywhere south of Florida and all my other travel experiences have been across Europe.
We dropped right into the capital, rented a van, and drove into the heart of the city to meet my friends family we were visiting down there. Seeing literally all of the houses with 8-10ft massive steel fences, sometimes razor wired, massive gates, was absolutely crazy and something I'd never even considered existing. Really opened up my eyes to the living conditions of the majority of the world. I was also strongly advised to not stick out as a tourist, at least while in the Capital. Much different vibes in the beach towns that are pretty touristy, they feel much "safer" as a whole. Still tall fences, however.
That being said, Costa Rica is an absolutely amazing country and I'd highly recommend it. I never actually felt unsafe and everyone was lovely, but I did have the advantage of local knowledge to guide me for over half my time there.
→ More replies19
u/ZedFlex 13d ago
I lived in Costa Rica on exchange in high school. Thought I would be surfing everyday on the beach but was hosted about 15 minutes from the airport in the capitol. It was concrete blocks and barbed wire everywhere! Especially appreciated the broken bottles cemented to the top of fences for extra damage
→ More replies58
u/Hendrick_Davies64 13d ago
Just a minor set back to living in SA
→ More replies15
u/Nervous_Recover_5720 13d ago
Yeah, I visited recently and it was certainly strange not seeing a single person out/ being out after 7pm
21
u/Bashira42 13d ago
Yeah. Went to a play when there. When finished, asked at the theater bar about getting a cab, should I just go out and flag one down on the nearest street. They looked panicked on my behalf, helped call one and then 2 of them walked me to it to have their own partner when walking back to the theater. That freaked me out a but, but still had a wonderful visit
→ More replies→ More replies10
7
u/thebeat86 13d ago
Eh I stayed in Cape Town in October and as long as you stayed out the Cape flats, you were never in crazy danger. If you drive up to Franschoek then it's no different from small USA towns. Jo'burg is worse for security, but the people in Jo'burg are delightful overall.
→ More replies14
u/Voidableboar 13d ago
Brah, idk where your friend was living, but it was certainly nowhere in Cape town. Gangs are a problem, but you're not gonna find 6 m walls and gangs roving killing anyone on sight indiscriminately, fucking come on
→ More replies10
13
→ More replies10
u/beefycheesyglory 13d ago
Love it when my country gets mentioned on Reddit. Capetown is a beauty, but so is the entire country, Capetown is just the cherry on top.
→ More replies
168
u/ellstaysia 13d ago
I live in vancouver but I'd say st. john's newfoundland on a rare sunny day.
54
u/applex_wingcommander 13d ago
I didn't think I'd see St John's get a mention but it would be my vote. This is where I saw snow fall for the first time and it was incredibly beautiful
→ More replies46
169
42
u/mitoboru 13d ago
People have different definitions of beauty. But to me, it should not matter what season you visit. It should have beauty year round. Vancouver is definitely a good candidate for sure.
I’ll add Hanoi.
→ More replies
150
u/sandwichkiller420 13d ago
Rio de Janeiro
4
u/OmegaKitty1 13d ago
Agreed. Stunning setting and such a good vibe (in the touristy areas)
→ More replies5
u/LegendLobster 13d ago
Had to scroll way too far to see this. Rio was absolutely stunning, I can’t wait to go back!
→ More replies4
205
u/Fickle_Effect3643 13d ago
Sydney
91
u/barra333 13d ago
On that note, for anyone anyone arriving on a long haul flight I highly recommend a window seat on the left side of the plane. The arrival pattern generally takes you on a perfect loop of the harbour.
25
u/dangerislander 13d ago
I'm still surprised how close the plane descends past the CBD. You get such a nice view. But you realise why they have height restrictions.
But yeah, even though I live here, I love staring out the window looking down on the entire city and trying to find my house haha.
19
u/dangerislander 13d ago
I live here and I'm still in awe everytime I drive over the Harbour Bridge into the CBD. The harbour is so beautiful.
→ More replies35
u/Voltstorm02 13d ago
Sydney is absolutely gorgeous. I visited over the summer and the Vivid Sydney light show was incredible. Even during the day it's absolutely gorgeous
22
u/No_Communication5538 13d ago
Specifically Manly suburb, beautiful beach town 20 minutes from a major city centre by the most beautiful ferry ride in the world.
→ More replies16
u/GasOnFire 13d ago
I’ve been all over the world. Both Sydney and Melbourne hold a special place in my heart.
41
u/kaboom_2 13d ago
As a Canadian I second this. I’ve seen a good number of cities, Sydney is my number 1, so far.
→ More replies30
u/Less_Ad9224 13d ago
I don't know... I've been to Sydney, it's a pretty shitty little steel town at the ass end of nova scotia. I wouldn't got back.
→ More replies→ More replies26
74
u/thefailmaster19 13d ago
Location-wise Cape Town
Architecturally Amsterdam or Edinburgh
→ More replies
349
u/NorthernJimi 13d ago
Vancouver's setting is stunning, and the parkland is beautiful, but I don't think it's that interesting from an architectural perspective. Lots of beautiful cities to choose from, but my vote goes to Edinburgh.
16
u/YYZbase 13d ago
Looking north anyway. That’s why I prefer looking south from Burrard Inlet/North Shore, you get the postmodern glass condos but also the early 20th century Waterfront Station, the Art Deco Marine Building, the 70s Bentalls/Harbour Centre/Granville Square, and Canada Place. But you don’t get the mountains in that shot.
25
18
u/the_short_viking 13d ago
Tbf, Edinburgh is a lot older than Vancouver. Nowhere in the world do they construct buildings like that anymore.
→ More replies→ More replies45
17
36
33
u/Intelligent_Pop1173 13d ago edited 13d ago
Cape Town, South Africa is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever been to. The ocean and Table Mountain are stunning.
32
u/JackfruitCivil7553 13d ago
Honolulu
→ More replies26
u/Snoutysensations 13d ago
Honolulu is a lovely city in a fantastic location but suffers from poor urban planning and architectural mediocrity. Still, hard to compete with Hawaii.
→ More replies
38
31
u/likeliterallytotes 13d ago
So many good ones it’s hard to chose but I’ll say Stockholm
→ More replies
52
53
98
u/makerofshoes 13d ago
Prague, Czech Republic, when it comes to architecture
When it comes to vistas, Palm Springs, California is gorgeous
38
u/ShinkenDon 13d ago
Looking for a Prague comment and glad I found one
8
u/makerofshoes 13d ago
I’m biased because I live here, but every time I go to another city it’s like, “Meh” 🫤
→ More replies25
u/slumberboy6708 13d ago
I moved to Prague recently and I'm stunned by the beauty of the city. The architecture I see everyday in my day to day life is just breathtaking.
The fact that it's extremely safe and that public transporation is awesome makes it even better.
→ More replies→ More replies5
u/my143302 13d ago
Prague for me too. My husband and I visited years ago before we were married and can’t wait to take our kids there one day. It’s the top of my list.
37
u/I_COMMENT_2_TIMES 13d ago
From what I’ve seen/heard, either Rio de Janeiro or Cape Town! At the very least for their dramatic landscape.
9
12
51
u/Blackberry-777 13d ago
→ More replies19
u/Ill-Calligrapher-131 13d ago
Mmmm but the pretty part is basically what you have in that image, it’s so tiny
154
u/loveliverpool 13d ago edited 13d ago
San Francisco is quite incredible
52
u/TostiBuilder 13d ago
as an European tourist that spent a little over 2 months in 5 US states, San Francisco was far and beyond the most breathtaking city. It had its depressing troubles of homelessness and excessive car use. It was also the only US city that a true feeling of being in a place that has its own quirks and mannerisms. It was the only city that felt “real” in the sense that everyone i met and talked to were sincere. Can not wait to go back.
→ More replies34
u/ghdawg6197 13d ago
Can’t believe I had to scroll this far down. It’s mismanaged but has the absolute best urban geography of basically anywhere
→ More replies17
u/DardS8Br 13d ago
Looking at the Bay from near that weird Mormon temple is unparalleled
→ More replies
24
u/Ill-Calligrapher-131 13d ago
Samarkand and Bukhara in Uzbekistan are beautiful and amazing, although the beauty is sort of concentrated in a small part and the rest is classic Soviet city but with lots of parks.
→ More replies
39
10
28
17
u/ChimpoSensei 13d ago
From afar every city looks pretty good. Once you get down inside of it, not so much, Vancouver included.
→ More replies
50
u/Rryon 13d ago
Chicago in the summertime
→ More replies7
u/Melospiza 12d ago
Also, Chicago on a sunny day in the winter after the harbors have frozen and there's snow on the ground.
8
8
u/Individual-Eye3907 13d ago
From a geographical standpoint, Seattle, WA is certainly one of them. It’s surrounded by Puget Sound, Lake Washington and two mountain ranges that include volcanoes. Also, it’s a nice blend of an urban environment and forests. Vancouver BC and San Francisco are also up there for North America.
→ More replies
21
22
118
u/cumminginsurrection 13d ago
37
u/wodiscolombia 13d ago
I want to provide a counterpoint here, the city sits in a bowl and air contamination is terrible. Yes great surroundings, etc… it is facing a constant drought, but yeah the air contamination is awful. Especially in winter (like in the picture) when the air does move. You can actually see the pollution though the shadows of the buildings. Love my time there though
→ More replies7
u/MartinBP 13d ago
Pretty much every mountainous city is like that, most of the highly polluted cities in Europe (outside Poland) are in the Balkans and Italy precisely because of that.
→ More replies→ More replies25
14
7
7
7
u/chocotacogato 13d ago
Munich, Germany! 🇩🇪
I only had a 22 hour layover there and was there on a weird time for tourism (My grandmas funeral was in late October). But it took my breath away just to be walking around and seeing the neighborhoods, old churches, and all that. I didn’t really plan anything as I’m technically not supposed to do fun stuff in mourning. But I did get up extremely early to walk around and just really take in the atmosphere. My hotel was near Theresienwiese, and I walked my way up to Marienplatz before flying back to USA.
My other one would be Istanbul, Turkey 🇹🇷. My friend was living there and showed me around! So much wealth in history and culture! Lots of beautiful mosques and palaces to see too! Amazing how you can see everything from different time periods just come together!
→ More replies
8
49
13d ago
[deleted]
18
u/brtld 13d ago
This is edited. Mt Fuji is nowhere near that close to Tokyo Tower.
14
→ More replies5
→ More replies27
u/nepppii Geography Enthusiast 13d ago
seoul is a great candidate as well if someone hasn't already commented seoul
→ More replies
7
37
u/crispycrunchcookie 13d ago
Chicago, something about the lake in the spring or the river at night that doesn’t exist in any other American city.
17
16
22
25
37
u/Antoine73 13d ago
Paris
→ More replies44
6
u/ghdawg6197 13d ago
There’s a whole genre of city that’s just leagues above anything else: mountainy temperate climate near a semi-enclosed navigable body. Sydney, Lisbon, San Francisco, Vancouver, Cape Town, those kinds. Between them, the beauty differences are just negligible
5
u/JoebyTeo 13d ago
Most beautiful city or most beautiful location for a city? Vancouver is a beautiful location for a city.
5
u/AI_ElectricQT 13d ago edited 13d ago
To me, any truly beautiful city needs to be characterized by two things:
Really old architecture (modernism basically destroyed beauty forever), a sense of history everywhere.
Streets made for walking, facilitating a dense, vibrant city life.
Bonus points for an organic, medieval street layout, as well as any kind of towers, cliffs or hills to make for an interesting skyline.
Because of these two criteria, it's only really European and a few Latin American and Asian cities that can even qualify. China has some supremely beautiful places, but they're all smaller in scale, towns at best, whereas the big cities are modernist monstrosities, and this is the trend all over Asia.
Therefore, the most beautiful city that I've seen would be Venice, followed by Prague, Tallinn, Copenhagen, and Istanbul.
The best skyline is Istanbul by far, while Copenhagen gets bonus points for being the most liveable, least touristy of these cities.
5
u/Pawneewafflesarelife 12d ago
San Diego's geography is gorgeous.
York's historical architecture is awesome.
7
8
14
u/sebastopol999 13d ago
Vancouver is absolutely breathtaking from a distance, but oddly enough once you're in the city it seems like just another city.
→ More replies
17
16
u/AutomatedCognition 13d ago
Is this what Vancouver looks like?
16
u/Burn_n_Turn 13d ago
That is the downtown core of Vancouver on a very nice day in summer. Population 70k, very dense but 10% of the city's population.
→ More replies→ More replies7
13
16
u/SongsForBats 13d ago
I am very fond of Amsterdam.
I've never been but Lofoten Norway seems breathtaking.
→ More replies18
8
9
4
4
u/KyleAndLaurenTravels 13d ago
Love seeing my home city mentioned but also loving all the mentions of Edinburgh. I was blown away when I had the chance to visit. Luckily the weather was great too.
That being said I’ll still say Vancouver minus the lack of nice architecture
4
4
u/Bayaco_Tooch 13d ago
Dubrovnik, Edinburgh, Lucerne, Toledo (Spain), Victoria, BC are probably my top 5
4
3
5
3
u/ILiefdeLights 12d ago
Amsterdam , if I had to choose one but it’s hard to choose so many good ones .
5
1.0k
u/Bigtsez 13d ago
https://preview.redd.it/4ngdhaz28w6e1.jpeg?width=958&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=66a772f8018b445c82e1b71b8e86a76004f5e893
Kyoto, Japan - easily the most beautiful city I've ever been to.