40 of the Most Beautiful Streets in the World That Will Stop You in Your Tracks
Featuring pastel colors galore, unique architectural details, and the most charm.
While traveling, ticking famous landmarks off your list can often eat up your whole trip. And at the risk of sounding cliché with a quote about the journey being more important than the destination, we have to say that sometimes the most memorable parts of a vacation are the ones spent wandering around a new town without any itinerary at all. Picture it: You're strolling along a picturesque harbor or cobblestone street, snapping photos of the area’s signature style, and popping into streetside cafés for an afternoon pick-me-up. Sublime. Of course, it helps to have a little guidance as to where exactly these charming streets are located—and that's where we come in.
We've rounded up the most beautiful streets in the world, scattered across the continents, for you to bookmark before your next adventure. Some are highly specific, like the most-Instagrammed street in Boston or a rainbow-colored lane in Paris, while others show concentrated parts of cities where you'll be treated to charm at every turn. Then there are simply pretty passageways where the real draw is the surrounding vista—or towns where streets are essentially made of water.
Featuring pastel colors galore, unique architectural details, and more than one UNESCO World Heritage Site, these 40 places with exquisite streets belong on your travel bucket list.
Symi, Greece
The façades of the houses on Symi's harbor are visible as soon as your ferry nears the port—but for a closer look, stroll along the main road (Akti Pavlou) and stop at a café along the way. Between the saturated colors and trompe l'oeiil effect of the shutters, it almost looks like the buildings have been drawn with crayons.
Boston, Massachusetts
There's tons of New England charm scattered around Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood, but Acorn Street is definitely its most-photographed spot. Given that the area itself dates back to 1795, there's no shortage of historical detailing in the alley—from the original cobblestones to the lampposts.
Cape Town, South Africa
Formerly known as the Malay Quarter, Cape Town's Bo-Kaap neighborhood is filled with row after row of technicolor houses. Spend a day walking the streets—each one features a distinct combination of colors—or head to Wale Street to learn more about the area's history at the Bo-Kaap Museum.
Chefchaouen, Morocco
Morocco's "blue city" of Chefchaouen is an azure dream wherever you turn, but the little alley of Callejon El Asri is a favorite of photographers, thanks to its collection of flower pots.
Águeda, Portugal
The most remarkable thing about Rua Luís de Camões isn't the street at all, it's what's hanging above. Started in 2012, and apparently inspired by Mary Poppins, the Umbrella Sky Project is an art installation comprised of multicolored umbrellas designed to shade the street's visitors during the hotter months. The project has since spread to multiple countries around the world, but you can still visit the original if you're in the Águeda area.
Alberobello, Italy
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alberobello is located in the Puglia region, otherwise known as the heel of Italy's boot. It's best known for its mushroom-shaped whitewashed houses, called trulli, which have been around for centuries. You'll be able to get a glimpse of them pretty much anywhere you turn in the town, but Via Monte San Michele offers the chance to do some sightseeing and souvenir shopping at the same time.
Athens, Greece
In stark contrast with the more Neoclassical homes of the Greek capital, the tiny area of Anafiotika looks like it was plucked directly from an island. It was originally settled by workers from Anafi in the 1800s, who brought the Cycladic style of whitewashed homes and colorful shutters with them; the result being a micro-village of 45 houses where each street is more picturesque than the last. (And yes, that is the Acropolis in the background.)
Colmar, France
Dubbed "Petite Venise" for its canals, this charming neighborhood retains the Alsatian look with the half-timbered houses that line the water. Head to Quai de la Poissonnerie, the picturesque stretch that used to be the fishmongers' domaine, for the best view.
Burano, Italy
The Venetian island of Burano is known for two things: lace and its seemingly never-ending supply of vivid façades. Take a post-pasta stroll along its streets—the Fondamenta Pontinello Sinistra or Fondamenta Cao di Rio a Sinistra are both central places to start—and fill your camera roll with snapshots of colorful canals.
Kyoto, Japan
Known interchangeably as The Philosopher's Walk and The Philosopher's Path, this cherry blossom-lined path is a peaceful trail that stretches nearly 1.25 miles along the canal. Be sure to plan your visit for spring, when the flowers are in full bloom.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
El Caminito, the visual focal point of Buenos Aires' La Boca neighborhood, is built on a former railroad and is now considered a street museum. A stroll through the cobblestoned strip showcases everything from tango dancing (audience participation encouraged) to an artisanal marketplace, making it the perfect place to spend a day.
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Complete with a view of landmark San Miguel Arcángel in the backdrop, Aldama Street blends cobblestone charm with painted façades. The small baroque town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with plenty to do, from museums to galleries.
Paris, France
The best view of the Eiffel Tower is nowhere near the Champs de Mars. Instead, head to Avenue des Camoëns by the Trocadero for a clear view and some Haussmannian architecture thrown in for good measure.
Paris, France
Paris makes our list again, this time for this stunning strip of rainbow-hued homes. Rue Crémieux in the 12th arrondissement is a residential street that features flower boxes, trompe l'oeil motifs, and plenty of colorful shutters.
Cotswolds, England
Originally built in 1380, Arlington Row is a collection of cottages first designated as a wool store before eventually being converted to weavers' homes. It's a must-see if you're in the Cotswolds—one of the cottages is even a vacation rental, if you're planning a longer stay.
San Francisco, California
Known as the crookedest street in the world, Lombard Street is a SanFran landmark known for its a winding path with eight hairpin turns. Its unique design has been featured in many movies and is a popular tourist destination, so plan accordingly if you don't want to get people in the background of your shot.
Penang, Malaysia
George Town, the capital of Malaysian island Penang, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with lively street art and even more famed street food. If it's architectural eye candy you're after, head to Jalan Kek Chuan to peruse the ornately detailed shops that blend Eastern and Western designs.
Annecy, France
You'll want to take heaps of pictures during your visit to Annecy if only to prove you were there, because the storybook setting almost doesn't look real. Situated at the base of the Alps near a crystal-clear lake, Old Town has everything from local markets to watersports. For canal-side dining, walk along the Quai de l'Île to peruse menus until you find your ideal spot.
Phuket, Thailand
Nestled in the heart of Phuket's Old Town, Soi Romanee is jam-packed with Sino-Portuguese shophouses. While once the town's red-light district, it's definitely a more PG destination today—it's dotted with cafés, souvenir stores, and even an ice cream parlor.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Nyhavn, Copenhagen's 17th-century waterfront, is one of the city's most instantly recognizable landmarks for good reason. The colorful homes (which at one point counted author Hans Christian Andersen among its residents) and lively promenade make for quite the scenic location.
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