Let The City Do The Planning
Not knowing what's next can be the best part of traveling in these cities. It’s like you get out of the hotel, and everything else simply falls into place.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon has one of the oldest operating tram lines in the world. Tram 28 still rattles and takes you to the Alfama district, which is filled with Moorish architecture and tile-covered facades that you can aimlessly walk through. You'll literally never run out of street art, miradouros, bookstores, and more in Lisbon.
TravelPhotosNL, Wikimedia Commons
Kyoto, Japan
Wooden homes in Gion lean over narrow lanes strung with lanterns. Temple bells echo behind bamboo fences, and vending machines glow under soft shadows. During spring, petals drift along the Philosopher’s Path. Every pause in Kyoto carries history and stillness—joined in details, preserved in rhythm.
Hisagi, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Fez, Morocco
The medina in Fez feels timeless, with Chouara’s tanneries still bubbling vats of saffron and indigo dye. Spices and rugs fill the air with texture and scent as mosaic fountains mark quiet junctions. Courtyards unfold without warning, and flatbread emerges from ovens beneath blue-tiled walls.
Petar Milosevic, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Tallinn, Estonia
Red roofs stack beneath sky-piercing spires, and the old town’s skyline has barely shifted since the 15th century. Cobblestones connect pastel guild houses, quiet squares, and shaded courtyards. Cafes inside vaulted cellars hum gently while clock towers echo over rooftops and into the evening air.
Cordoba, Spain
Did you know Cordoba’s Mezquita combines a Renaissance cathedral with rows of Islamic arches beneath a single roof? Roman bridges span the Guadalquivir River, linking centuries of history. In the Jewish Quarter, narrow alleys weave past tiled walls and flowerpots overflowing from whitewashed homes.
Toni Castillo Quero, Wikimedia Commons
Athens, Greece
Byzantine churches and Roman ruins cluster near Plaka, layered in stone walls and marble columns. Above them all, the Acropolis crowns the skyline, its ancient temples still visible from rooftop terraces. Neoclassical facades also line Plaka’s streets by casting shade over antique shops and cafes.
dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
La Paz, Bolivia
Mi Teleferico links the steep hills of La Paz to El Alto with sweeping aerial views. On Calle Linares, the Witches’ Market sells dried herbs and amulets. Colonial architecture surrounds Plaza Murillo, where the Presidential Palace and Metropolitan Cathedral face wide stone paths and iron lamps.
Jakarta, Indonesia
The National Monument stands in Merdeka Square, surrounded by gardens and fountains. In Kota Tua, Dutch colonial buildings house museums like the Jakarta History Museum inside the old town hall. In Menteng, street vendors cook kerak tela beside stalls selling batik cloth and vintage movie posters.
Luang Prabang, Laos
Mount Phousi rises above the old town to bring you views of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers. Along Sisavangvong Road, monks collect alms in a silent procession at dawn. Wat Xieng Thong glows with gold leaf mosaics, while French colonial villas stretch between palm trees and temple courtyards.
Hoi An, Vietnam
The Thu Bon River reflects rows of yellow walls lit by floating lanterns each evening. Tailor shops in the Ancient Town offer custom garments in less than a day. Covered bridges and quiet cafes fill the streets, closed to cars and scooters. At night, paper lanterns are released from boats and gently drift downstream.
Supanut Arunoprayote, Wikimedia Commons
Essaouira, Morocco
Blue fishing boats fill the harbor beside the Portuguese fort and ramparts. Inside the medina, white walls surround spice stalls, art galleries, small workshops, and open-air riads. The Skala de la Ville looks out toward the Atlantic, and the sea air carries the smell of grilled sardines through narrow alleys.
Visions of Domino, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Savannah, USA
Forsyth Park’s canopy of moss-covered oaks stretches over fountains and expansive lawns. Jones Street and Monterey Square are lined with brick mansions and wraparound porches. Meanwhile, Bonaventure Cemetery and historic churches all sit within walking distance of the slow-moving Savannah River.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Golden chedis and Wat Phra Singh rise inside the stone walls of the old city. At dusk, monks in orange robes move beneath trees, lining quiet streets. Lanterns light the Sunday Night Market on Ratchadamnoen Road, where stalls display khao soi, mango sticky rice, and handmade crafts.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Marimba music fills the Zocalo, where shaded benches and slow foot traffic shape the pace. Santo Domingo Church overlooks plazas edged with agave and Cantera stone. Markets offer tlayudas and handwoven rugs, while murals and papel picado stretch across narrow alleys, linking courtyards and rooftop cafes.
Emoke Denes, Wikimedia Commons
Lecce, Italy
In Lecce, you’ll notice how golden stone catches the afternoon light in the narrow streets. Baroque churches appear at random, with carved facades and quiet bell towers. Espresso counters draw small crowds, and vines spill from balconies above lines of sun-dried laundry.
Bernard Gagnon, Wikimedia Commons
Valparaiso, Chile
Painted staircases wind through steep streets covered in murals and mosaic tiles. Ascensor Artilleria rises toward Paseo 21 de Mayo, where cafes overlook the port and fishing boats dock below. Red and yellow homes line the hills, and antique shops crowd the faded buildings of the old Quarter in Chile.
Pondicherry, India
Pastel villas with shuttered windows line the French Quarter, which faces the Bay of Bengal. The Promenade stretches from the Gandhi Statue to the old lighthouse with open views of the sea. Aurobindo Ashram sits behind high walls, while cafes nearby serve croissants and filter coffee under the bougainvillea.
New Orleans, USA
Live jazz spills from nearly every doorway on Bourbon Street, echoing beneath wrought iron balconies. Cafe du Monde stays busy with powdered sugar, and Cafe au lait is near Jackson Square. Uptown, the Garden District shows off Greek Revival mansions, and Frenchmen Street keeps the music past midnight.
bvi4092, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Cali, Colombia
Dancers move in San Antonio as salsa beats spill from plazas and open-air Zacatecas. El Gato del Rio sits beside food carts and public art by the river. Hilltop viewpoints and schools like Swing Latino keep the rhythm alive from morning until night. Brass bands often play in the streets to add another layer to the city's nonstop energy.
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Carved into a hillside, the Roman theater still hosts live performances with sweeping city views. In the Kapana district, galleries and bars fill 19th-century buildings with painted shutters and cobbled alleys. Brick ruins and pastel facades seamlessly line the old town’s walkable streets.
Ilia Markov from Sofia, Bulgaria, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Panaji, India
In Fontainhas, the Latin Quarter, yellow and red houses display wrought-iron balconies. The Mandovi River meanders past colonial churches and quaint taverns. Nearby, cafes shaded by coconut palms serve local specialties like xacuti and sweet slices of bebinca, listed on handwritten menus.
Belgrade, Serbia
After sunset, floating splavovi on the Sava River transform into lively bars and clubs. Kalemegdan Fortress rises above the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. In Skadarlija, murals, cozy taverns, and indie bookstores fill cobbled lanes, while brick towers and socialist-era structures define the skyline.
Melbourne, Australia
Hidden behind main roads, laneways overflow with graffiti walls and vinyl shops. Hosier Lane dazzles with murals that change weekly. From rooftop terraces to Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne offers flat whites and skyline views in a relaxed, creative atmosphere. The city has one of the world’s highest concentrations of street art per square kilometer.
Granada, Spain
Echoes of flamenco spill from Sacromonte’s caves, and Realejo’s tiled courtyards host tapas bars where snacks arrive with each drink. Meanwhile, in the Albaicin, whitewashed homes overlook the city from jasmine-lined, steep streets. Crowning the scene, the Alhambra fortress displays arched windows and lush hillside gardens.
Jim Gordon, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Chefchaouen, Morocco
Every street in Chefchaouen is awash in blue hues that range from sky to deep indigo. The medina climbs toward the Rif Mountains, past wandering cats and stalls draped in woven blankets. From the Spanish Mosque, rooftops and jagged ridgelines stretch across the valley.
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Wayang puppet workshops and batik studios thrive throughout the city. Taman Sari’s network of tunnels links open-air pools and staircases. Along Malioboro Street, food carts and street performers gather under striped awnings. Nearby cafes serve kopi joss, hot coffee brewed with a lump of burning charcoal.
Baku, Azerbaijan
Stone walls surround Icherisheher’s maze of mosques and historic bathhouses. Beyond the old city, the mirrored Flame Towers dominate the Caspian Sea skyline. The Heydar Aliyev Center’s smooth white curves lead to a waterfront boulevard dotted with fountains and tea pavilions.
Antigua, Guatemala
Cobblestone streets weave between pastel homes to offer clear views of Volcan de Agua in the distance. The Santa Catalina Arch frames the volcano perfectly, while the quiet ruins of Iglesia de San Francisco sit nearby. Local markets brim with textiles, and rooftop cafes overlook tiled domes and bell towers.
Bruno Rijsman, Wikimedia Commons
Zacatecas, Mexico
Beneath the hills of Zacatecas, Mina El Eden winds through eerie, former silver tunnels. A cable car ride up to La Bufa shows sweeping views of the pink-stoned city sprawled below. And when the sun dips low, Plaza de Armas comes alive, its baroque buildings bathed in soft, golden light.
Tainan, Taiwan
Koi ponds and red brick courtyards surround Chihkan Tower, once a Dutch outpost. The Confucius Temple stays serene beneath sweeping banyan trees. As night falls, Shennong Street glows with lanterns and food stalls serving milkfish soup and pineapple cake on nearly every menu.
Pokhara, Nepal
When the skies are clear, Phewa Lake reflects the Annapurna Range, with paddle boats drifting toward an island temple. Above it all, the World Peace Pagoda stands on a wooded ridge. Down by the Lakeside, cafes serve momos and dal bhat beside shops filled with trekking gear and beads.
Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Copper workshops and cafes pack Bascarsija’s Ottoman-era square. Just below, the Latin Bridge spans the river near the site of Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s 1914 assassination. Yellow and white fortresses on the surrounding hills offer sweeping views of tiled roofs and alpine valleys.
Julian Nyca, Wikimedia Commons
Gjirokaster, Albania
Ottoman-era homes with stone roofs climb the hillside below Gjirokaster Castle. The bazaar buzzes with vendors selling wood carvings and woven rugs. At the summit, the castle museum houses military relics, and the view stretches over terraced fields and the Drino Valley.
George Town, Malaysia
Have you ever wondered where mural-drenched alleys meet the scent of spice and incense? In George Town, they weave through Chinatown and Little India, where clan jetties stretch into the sea alongside wooden stilt homes. Restored shophouses reveal Peranakan mansions and steaming char kway teow on every corner.
HundenvonPenang, Wikimedia Commons
Cuenca, Ecuador
The New Cathedral’s blue domes rise above cobbled streets and flower vendors. Stone walls line the Tomebamba River, where colonial balconies lean over the water. In the heart of the old town, museums and Panama hat makers blend tradition with everyday life amidst the Andes Mountains.
Natalia Cartolini, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Matera, Italy
Stone stairways crisscross Matera’s cliffs by linking cave homes and ancient chapels. Modern cafes and galleries now occupy spaces once carved by hand within the Sassi districts. Frescoes and rock-hewn ceilings preserve the past while coexisting with today’s quiet creativity.
Camelia.boban, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Lijiang, China
Behind the Black Dragon Pool, the towering Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is reflected in its still waters. Wooden houses with intricate carvings and red lanterns line the old town's canals. Naxi musicians continue to perform in town squares, and winding alleys lead to bustling markets selling herbs and embroidered crafts.
Miltos Gikas from Lutsa, Attiki, Greece, Wikimedia Commons
Colonia Del Sacramento, Uruguay
Barrio Historico’s sycamore-lined streets are paved with cobblestones and tiled in faded Portuguese designs. Antique cars sit under iron lanterns as the lighthouse towers above the Rio de la Plata. Along the waterfront, art galleries, museums, empanada stalls, etc., hide between flowering walls.
St. George’s, Grenada
The harbor shimmers with colorful boats framed by green hills and red-tiled roofs. Fort George watches over the Carenage while markets brim with cocoa and breadfruit. Narrow streets wind past colonial churches and lead straight to the island’s white-sand beaches. The sound of waves crashing adds a serene touch to this idyllic scene.
Kotor, Montenegro
In Kotor, you’ll wander through a medieval old town wrapped in stone walls, where Venetian palaces and Romanesque churches crowd narrow lanes. Climb the Ladder of Kotor to reach San Giovanni Fortress and soak up one of the best bay views in Europe. And yes, the cats are practically part of the welcome committee.
Bruges, Belgium
Climb the Belfry of Bruges for sweeping views across gabled rooftops, then celebrate with Belgian beer or handmade chocolates. Lace shops and clip-clopping horse-drawn carriages bring old-world charm to life. As you wander the cobbled lanes beside tranquil canals, the city’s medieval reflection follows you step by step.
Arthurious, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Colmar, France
Pastel timber-framed houses lean over narrow canals lined with cobblestone lanes. In spring, flower boxes overflow, brightening windows, bridges, and balconies. Flat-bottomed boats glide through the district known as “Little Venice”. Wine taverns and quiet squares give Colmar its storybook charm year-round.
San Miguel De Allende, Mexico
Cobblestone streets twist past bold-colored homes and blooming balconies. Art galleries and craft studios spill across town while the Parroquia’s pink spires glow at sunset. Whether you're people-watching in El Jardin or browsing markets for handwoven textiles, the atmosphere feels like a festival frozen in time.
Olallo reyes, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bergen, Norway
Framed by mountains and fjords, Bergen's wooden wharf buildings lean into the harbor like a postcard come to life. Ride the Floibanen funicular for sweeping views, then stroll the fish market for a snack of smoked salmon or warm waffles. Rain or shine, the city hums with coastal charm.
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