The world’s most colourful cities

When planning a trip, from choosing your destination to sorting your travel insurance, it’s often the places you explore and the photos you take that will leave you with lifelong memories. For many travellers, picking where to go is as much about how it looks to their eye and their camera lens as it is about culture and cuisine, with incredibly vivid destinations often drawing the most attention. But which ones are the most colourful of all?

From the blue-drenched medina of Chefchaouen to the vivid tiles of Rio’s Escadaria Selarón, some travel hotspots are renowned for the array of colours they display. But we wanted to go beyond reputation and finally put a figure to the ones which offer the most colour of all.

To do this, we analysed hundreds of landscapes across nearly 80 of the most well-known colourful destinations and measured the range of colours in each image using pixel-level data.

How we measured each city’s vibrancy

We gathered a list of the most iconic colour-drenched cities across the globe and selected multiple representative photos of each, including aerial or skyline views, as well as street-level images showing recognisable landmarks, architecture, or neighbourhoods.

Each image was chosen to reflect the location’s typical scenery and was taken in clear daylight without heavy filters. We then used a colour analysis tool to measure the number of unique colours within each image. The results were combined to calculate an overall vibrancy score using pixel-level data, revealing the most vivid destinations of all.

The world’s top 30 most vibrant cities

*Rankings are based on full values; figures shown are rounded for clarity.‍

1. Lisbon, Portugal

Vibrancy Score: 100/100

Taking the top spot as the world’s most vibrant city is Lisbon, with more than 2.6 million unique colours identified in our analysis. The Portuguese capital is known for its pastel-hued buildings and patterned tiles that line its historic neighbourhoods, such as Alfama (the city’s oldest district) and Bairro Alto. Though perhaps one of the most iconic sights is its yellow trams, which rattle through the narrow streets, adding another splash of colour. For a striking panoramic view of the city’s terracotta rooftops, head to Miradouro da Senhora do Monte.

2. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Vibrancy Score: 94.5/100

With nearly 2.5 million unique colours, Kuala Lumpur follows in second place. The city offers a striking contrast of modern skyscrapers and traditional buildings, including ornate temples and shrines. Many of its skyscrapers, such as the Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower, and Exchange 106, feature rooftop viewing decks or bars that provide panoramic views of the city below. To experience Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant street life, Chinatown is a popular destination, filled with lively markets and tempting street food. While the Batu Caves are located just outside Kuala Lumpur, the famous rainbow-coloured steps and shrines within the caves make them another popular attraction for many visitors.

3. Porto, Portugal

Vibrancy Score: 91.6/100

Porto places third, making it the second Portuguese city to rank for its colour variance. Perhaps one of the most famous views is the Ribeira district, which is home to the iconic colourful houses with terracotta-red roofs along the Douro River. Stroll across the Dom Luis I Bridge to soak up some of the city’s most famous scenery. The bridge connects to the neighbouring Vila Nova de Gaia and provides visitors with a fantastic panorama of Porto.

4. Cartagena, Colombia

Vibrancy Score: 91.4/100

Cartagena is known around the world for its colourful buildings, so it may not come as a surprise that this city ranks in fourth place. The historic Old Town is surrounded by 11km of defensive walls, which are some of the best-preserved walls in the world and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The iconic yellow Clocktower at the main entrance to the Old Town is one of the standout sights of the city, while flower-filled balconies and brightly painted facades add to the city’s lively streetscape.

5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Vibrancy Score: 89.1/100

Brazil’s second-largest city takes fifth place, with a vibrancy score of 89.1/100 and over 2.3 million unique colours analysed. Some of the city’s most iconic views are from the summit of Corcovado, where Christ the Redeemer overlooks the city. However, a hidden gem is at the top of Parque Natural Municipal da Catacumba. While it requires around a 30-minute hike to the top, tourists are rewarded with stunning views of the city. If you prefer a leisurely trip, then the Selaron Steps are another popular sight to add to your list, with the brightly tiled steps offering the perfect photo backdrop.  

6. Guanajuato, Mexico

Vibrancy Score: 71.2/100

Guanajuato, located in central Mexico, is known for its picturesque landscape of rainbow-hued buildings stacked along a mountain valley setting. A great way to explore the city is by walking, so you can soak up the alleys practically bursting with colour. Make sure you add the Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss) to your list, having gotten the name as it’s just wide enough for two people to kiss. The best time to visit is between November and April, during the dry season.

7. Havana, Cuba

Vibrancy Score: 70.6/100

Havana, the capital of Cuba, often comes to mind when you think of colourful cities. Known for its bright architecture, excellent rum and cigars, and a love for classic cars, the city offers a unique blend of colour, culture and character. The city can easily be explored on foot, and a walking tour is a great way to get to know its rich history, including its 500-year-old historic centre. For visitors looking to soak up a cityscape view, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, often referred to as El Morro Fortress, offers a panoramic view of Havana’s skyline and is particularly beautiful at sunset.  

Before booking a trip, make sure you check current travel advice from official government websites, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Ireland, as travelling against guidance may affect or limit your insurance cover.

Please note: For holidays to Cuba, customers can only purchase annual multi-trip policies. Single trip policies are not available.

8. Hanoi, Vietnam

Vibrancy Score: 69/100

Hanoi lands in eighth place, blending vivid buildings and shopfronts, dense street signage and vibrant market stalls. The heart of the city is Hanoi’s Old Quarter, which is made up of 36 streets, bustling with shops and restaurants spilling onto the pavement, as crowds of pedestrians and motorbikes weave through the lively streets. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle, there are several historic temples tucked away in the Old Quarter which offer a peaceful escape.

9. New Orleans, United States

Vibrancy Score: 67.1/100

New Orleans, in the United States, ranks ninth and is the first U.S. city to make the ranking. The French Quarter likely comes to mind first when you think of colourful spots in the city. The neighbourhood blends rich history with pastel-painted buildings and distinctive French and Spanish architecture, with plenty of hanging plants lining the streets. Jackson Square is one of the city’s most photographed spots, framed by colourful historic buildings and the striking St. Louis Cathedral. The area is also famously known for its vibrant nightlife, where neon signs and live music spill out of venues, such as those lining Bourbon Street.

10. Medellín, Colombia

Vibrancy Score: 65.7/100

Rounding out the top 10 is Medellín, Colombia, with more than 1.7 million unique colours identified in our analysis. The city has grown in popularity in recent years, with millions of people attracted to the vibrant neighbourhoods and street culture. Comuna 13 is one of the most famous areas, once considered one of the city’s most dangerous places, but now a lively cultural hub filled with colourful street art and buildings. Beyond its colourful neighbourhoods, visitors can enjoy everything from lively nightlife to quieter moments in the Botanical Garden or the city’s museums.

How does Ireland rank?

Two Irish cities make the top 30: Cork ranks 17th with a vibrancy score of 54.3, while Dublin places 30th, scoring 42.6. Together, the two cities account for more than 2.5 million unique colours, showing that you don’t necessarily need to go far to find vibrant landscapes.  

In Cork, Pope’s Quay offers scenic views of the River Lee, lined with colourful buildings. Meanwhile, Dublin’s Temple Bar district stands out for its vibrant colours, cobbled streets and lively atmosphere.

If our research has inspired your next trip, make sure your adventure is protected with the right travel insurance before you go. Whether you’re heading on a short city break to Lisbon with its terracotta rooftops, or travelling across the world to explore the bustling markets of Hanoi or the pastel-coloured streets of Havana, visiting new places can come with unexpected disruptions. Having the right cover in place means you can enjoy your time away with peace of mind.

Methodology

To identify the cities with the most vibrant views, we analysed 78 popular destinations around the world, including locations known for standout colours. For each city, three representative images were selected: one aerial or skyline view and two street-level images showing recognisable streets, landmarks or neighbourhoods.

Images were chosen to reflect typical architecture and scenery associated with each destination. To avoid skewing results, we selected photos taken in clear daylight conditions and avoided heavy filters or colour grading.  

Each image was analysed using a digital colour analysis tool that identifies the number of unique RGB values present in the image pixels, providing a measure of how visually varied each scene is. The unique colour counts from the three images were then combined to produce a total score for each location, and cities were ranked accordingly. Totals shown in the table are rounded for readability, while full values were used to calculate the final rankings.

All data is correct as of March 2026.