Most Colourful Places in the World You Can Actually Visit (And How to Experience Them). Travel Advice & Ideas 2026.

🇮🇹 Burano, Italy — Venice’s Colourful Island

Burano looks like someone just went mad with a paintbrush, and absolutely nailed it. Every house is painted a different colour, bright pinks, yellows, greens, all reflected perfectly in the canals that run through the island. But there’s actually a reason for it.

Historically, Burano was a fishing village, and the houses were painted in bold colours so fishermen could spot their homes through the thick lagoon fog as they returned from sea. Over time, it turned into one of the most recognisable and photogenic places in Italy.

Today, it’s not just about the colours, Burano is also known for its traditional lace-making, with small shops and workshops dotted around the island, adding another layer of character to what is already a brilliant place to just wander around for a few hours.

What it’s like

Small, relaxed, and a nice contrast to busy Venice. It’s the kind of place where you slow down, grab a coffee, and just wander with no real plan.

How to experience it

• Get there early before the crowds
• Walk the full loop of the island
• Cross the little bridges for the best angles
• I also have a great list of hikes and places to stay in the Dolomites, a great option for Italy.

👉 Discover experiences in Burano, Italy

🇵🇹 Águeda, Portugal — Umbrella Sky Project

This one’s a bit different, the colour isn’t on the buildings, it’s above you.

Every summer, the small Portuguese town of Águeda transforms its streets with hundreds of bright umbrellas suspended overhead as part of the Umbrella Sky Project. What started as a simple art installation has grown into an annual festival that draws visitors from all over the world.

The umbrellas aren’t just for show either, they provide shade from the heat while casting constantly shifting colours onto the streets below as the light changes throughout the day. Add in painted benches, street art, and creative installations dotted around town, and the whole place feels like an open-air gallery you can just wander through.

What it’s like

Fun, light, and a bit surreal.

How to experience it

• Walk the main streets slowly
• Look up (sounds obvious… but trust me 😅)
• Visit during the festival months

👉 Discover experiences in Águeda, Portugal

🇬🇧 Notting Hill, London — Pastel Streets

You don’t need to go far for colour, sometimes it’s right on your doorstep.

Notting Hill is one of London’s most recognisable neighbourhoods, known for its rows of pastel-painted houses lining quiet residential streets. Soft blues, pinks, yellows and greens sit neatly side by side, creating that clean, almost picture-perfect look that’s made the area a favourite for photographers and film crews alike.

But there’s more to it than just the houses. The area has a proper mix of character, from the buzz of Portobello Road Market, packed with antiques, street food and vintage finds, to the quieter side streets where you can just wander and take it all in at your own pace. It’s also home to the famous Notting Hill Carnival, one of the biggest street festivals in Europe, which brings even more colour and energy to the area each year.

It’s an easy place to explore without a plan, just walk, turn down a few side streets, and you’ll quickly see why it’s one of the most photographed spots in London.

What it’s like

Easy, relaxed city wandering.

How to experience it

• Walk Portobello Road
• Explore the quieter side streets
• Combine with a London walk, which I have plenty of in my Tube Trekking page

👉 Discover experiences in London, England

🌈 Chefchaouen, Morocco — The Blue City

If there’s one place that really defines “colourful”, it’s this — although in Chefchaouen, it’s all about one colour done incredibly well.

Tucked into the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco, the entire town is painted in shades of blue — from deep, rich tones to soft, almost glowing sky colours. Wander through the narrow streets and alleyways and it feels like you’ve stepped into a completely different world, where every doorway, staircase and wall has been carefully brushed in blue.

No one knows exactly why the tradition started, but one of the most widely accepted stories is that it was introduced by Jewish refugees in the 15th century, symbolising the sky and heaven. Whatever the reason, it’s turned Chefchaouen into one of the most unique and photogenic places anywhere in the world.

It’s not about rushing around ticking things off here — the best way to experience it is to slow right down, wander aimlessly through the streets, and just take it all in as the light shifts and the colours subtly change throughout the day.

What it’s like

It’s not about ticking off sights here. You just wander. Narrow streets, steps, little doorways, cats everywhere… and the light changes the colour depending on the time of day.

How to experience it

• Go early morning or late afternoon for the best light
• Just walk — no strict route needed
• Head up slightly for views back over the town

👉 Discover experiences in Chefchaouen, Morocco

🇹🇳 Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia — Blue & White Cliffside

Think along the lines of Greece but in North Africa, and with a bit more history behind it.

Sidi Bou Said sits just outside Tunis, perched on a clifftop overlooking the Mediterranean, and it’s instantly recognisable for its crisp white buildings, bright blue doors, and detailed wrought-iron windows that give the whole place a really distinctive look. The colour scheme isn’t by chance either, it’s been preserved over the years to keep the town’s character intact.

It’s long attracted artists, writers, and travellers looking for somewhere a bit calmer, drawn in by the light, the sea views, and the relaxed feel of the place. As you wander through the narrow streets, you’ll pass small cafés, hidden courtyards, and viewpoints where the coastline suddenly opens up in front of you.

It’s not somewhere you rush, just take your time, wander uphill, stop for a coffee or mint tea, and let the place unfold as you go.

What it’s like

Calm, coastal, and very photogenic.

How to experience it

• Walk uphill through the town
• Stop for coffee with a view
• Take your time — it’s not big

👉 Discover experiences in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

🇿🇦 Bo-Kaap, Cape Town — Bold & Bright

Bo-Kaap is one of those places that feels instantly recognisable — bold, bright, and full of character the moment you arrive.

Sitting on the slopes above central Cape Town with Table Mountain as the backdrop, the neighbourhood is known for its rows of brightly painted houses in vivid pinks, greens, blues, and yellows. But the colours aren’t just for show — they carry meaning. The area is historically home to the Cape Malay community, descendants of enslaved people brought to South Africa, and many believe the houses were originally painted in bright colours as a symbol of freedom after apartheid.

Today, Bo-Kaap is as much about culture as it is about colour. As you walk through the cobbled streets, you’ll pass mosques, local homes, and small cafés, with the call to prayer sometimes echoing through the neighbourhood. It’s a place that’s still lived in, so it’s worth taking your time and exploring respectfully while soaking up the atmosphere.

It’s not a big area, but the mix of colour, history, and views over the city makes it one of the most memorable walks you can do in Cape Town.

What it’s like

Compact, easy to walk, but full of meaning. It’s not just about photos, it’s a historic area with deep roots in Cape Malay culture.

How to experience it

• Walk slowly and respectfully (people live here)
• Visit the Bo-Kaap Museum
• Combine it with a walk up Signal Hill or Table Mountain

👉 Discover experiences in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town

🇮🇳 Jaipur, India — The Pink City

Jaipur’s colour is more subtle, but is very powerful.

Known as the “Pink City”, the old part of Jaipur is painted in warm terracotta tones that give the whole place a soft, glowing feel, especially when the sun hits it. The colour actually dates back to 1876, when the city was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales, a colour traditionally associated with hospitality, and it’s been maintained ever since.

It’s not just the colour that stands out though. Jaipur is full-on in the best way, busy streets, markets spilling out onto the pavements, and iconic buildings like the Hawa Mahal with its intricate façade that looks almost too detailed to be real. Everywhere you walk there’s something going on, whether it’s local traders, tuk-tuks weaving through traffic, or the constant hum of the city.

The best way to experience it is to slow things down slightly, wander through the old city, dip in and out of the markets, and take your time to really take in the detail, because there’s a lot more to it than just the colour.

What it’s like

Busy, chaotic, but incredible. Markets, palaces, and constant movement.

How to experience it

• Visit Hawa Mahal early
• Walk through the old city markets
• Take your time — it’s sensory overload in the best way

👉 Discover experiences in Jaipur, India

🇮🇩 Kampung Pelangi, Indonesia — Rainbow Village

Kampung Pelangi, which literally means “Rainbow Village”, was once a fairly run-down area in Semarang, Indonesia. In an effort to revitalise it, the entire neighbourhood was painted in bright, bold colours, houses, roofs, stairways, and walls, turning it into one of the most eye-catching places in the country almost overnight.

Now, as you walk through it, every corner feels different. Blocks of colour run into each other, patterns cover the walls, and even the steps and pathways are painted, so the whole place feels like a piece of street art you can walk through. It’s lively, a bit chaotic, and definitely built for photos, but it’s also still a working neighbourhood, which gives it a bit more character than your typical tourist spot.

It’s not huge, so you can explore it fairly quickly, but it’s worth slowing down, wandering the different levels, and taking in how much effort has gone into turning it into something completely unique.

What it’s like

Bright, chaotic, and very Instagram-friendly.

How to experience it

• Walk through the different levels
• Take your time exploring side streets
• Go when it’s quieter if possible

👉 Discover experiences in Kampung Pelangi, Indonesia

🇯🇵 Kawagoe, Japan — Colourful Old Town Streets

You don’t have the bright neon colours here, instead rich, warm tones and traditional buildings that give it a completely different kind of “colourful”.

Kawagoe, often called “Little Edo”, sits just outside Tokyo and is known for its beautifully preserved warehouse district, where dark wooden buildings line the streets in deep browns, reds, and earthy tones. It’s a more understated kind of colour, but it’s the consistency of it that makes the place feel so distinctive.

The town gives you a glimpse of what Japan looked like during the Edo period, with narrow streets, traditional shopfronts, and little details everywhere you look. You’ve also got Candy Alley, where small stalls sell traditional Japanese sweets, adding another layer of colour and atmosphere to the experience.

It’s a really easy place to explore on foot, just wander through the old streets, take your time, and enjoy the contrast from the modern feel of Tokyo not too far away.

What it’s like

Historic, calm, and full of character.

How to experience it

• Walk the warehouse district
• Visit Candy Alley
• Combine with a Tokyo day trip
• Whilst you’re in Japan, you could do the historial walks I have put together

👉 Discover experiences in Kawagoe, Japan

🇲🇽 Guanajuato, Mexico — A City of Colour

This is colour on a completely different scale.

Guanajuato is built into the hills of central Mexico, and the whole city feels like it’s been stacked layer by layer with bright, tightly packed buildings in every direction. Reds, yellows, blues and greens climb up the slopes, creating those big panoramic views that look almost unreal when you first see them.

But it’s not just about looking at it from a distance, once you’re in it, the place really comes alive. Narrow alleyways wind through the city, hidden plazas open up unexpectedly, and there’s even a network of underground tunnels that were originally built to control flooding but are now used as roads.

It’s lively, a bit chaotic, and full of energy, with music, street performers, and people out enjoying the space. The best way to experience it is to walk uphill, take in the views as they open up behind you, and just let yourself get slightly lost in the streets.

What it’s like

Busy, lively, full of energy. There are tunnels under the city, steep alleys, and viewpoints everywhere.

How to experience it

• Walk uphill — the views get better the higher you go
• Visit the famous Callejón del Beso
• Head to a viewpoint at sunset

👉 Discover experiences in Guanajuato, Mexico

🇺🇸 Wynwood Walls, Miami — Street Art Everywhere

This is colour in a completely different form, less about buildings themselves, and more about what’s been painted onto them.

Wynwood Walls in Miami is one of the world’s best-known street art districts, where entire buildings have been turned into massive canvases covered in bold, ever-changing murals. What started as a project to revitalise an industrial area has grown into a global hub for artists, with new work constantly being added, meaning no two visits feel quite the same.

As you walk through the area, it’s not just the scale that stands out, it’s the detail. From huge, high-impact pieces to smaller, tucked-away artworks in side streets and alleys, there’s always something new to spot. The wider Wynwood neighbourhood is just as creative, with galleries, cafés, and open spaces that keep the whole place feeling lively and a bit edgy.

It’s best explored slowly, stopping often, and just taking it all in, because this is one place where the experience is as much about the atmosphere as it is about the visuals.

What it’s like

Creative, edgy, constantly changing.

How to experience it

• Walk the Wynwood district
• Take your time with each mural
• Go early for photos

👉 Discover experiences in Wynwood Walls, Miami

🇧🇷 Rio de Janeiro — Selarón Steps

This is colour on a completely different scale, not across a whole city, but packed into one incredible spot.

The Selarón Steps in Rio de Janeiro are a vibrant mosaic of over 2,000 tiles collected from more than 60 countries, all brought together by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón. What started as a personal project to brighten up the steps outside his home gradually turned into one of the most famous landmarks in the city.

As you make your way up the staircase, every section feels different, patterns, colours, flags, and small details that tell stories from all over the world. It’s lively, often busy, and usually filled with music, people, and that unmistakable Rio energy.

It’s not a long walk, but it’s worth taking your time, stop, look closely at the tiles, and take in how much detail has gone into something that started as one man’s idea and grew into something much bigger.

What it’s like

Lively, busy, and full of character. Music, people, photos — always something going on.

How to experience it

• Go early if you want photos without crowds
• Take time to look at the tiles (they tell stories)
• Combine with a walk around Lapa

👉 Discover experiences in Rio de Janeiro

🇨🇴 Guatapé, Colombia — The Most Colourful Town in Colombia

Guatapé, often called the most colourful town in Colombia, is known for its bright houses, but what really makes it stand out are the decorative panels, or zócalos, that run along the lower walls of each building. These aren’t just patterns, they often tell stories about the people who live there, from family traditions to local trades, giving the whole town a really personal feel.

As you walk through the streets, it feels almost like an open-air gallery, with every corner offering something different. Bold colours, detailed artwork, and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere make it a place that’s easy to explore without any real plan.

It’s also usually combined with a trip to the nearby El Peñol rock, where a climb to the top gives you one of the best views in Colombia, a patchwork of lakes and islands stretching out in every direction.

What it’s like

Bright, detailed, and full of personality.

How to experience it

• Walk every street — seriously
• Look closely at the wall details
• Combine with El Peñol viewpoint

👉 Discover experiences in Guatapé, Colombia