11 of the Most Colorful Places in the World

Just a 2-hour drive northeast of Tokyo in the coastal Ibaraki Prefecture, Hitachi Seaside Park is one of the top colorful travel locations in Japan. Rolling parklands more than twice the size of New York’s Central Park stretch along the Pacific Ocean, blanketed with vast flower gardens. Each season brings a vibrant new palette, from powder blue nemophilas in spring to crimson red kochias in fall and ice tulips in winter. Take the Seaside Train, ride the Ferris Wheel, or bike along the scenic trails, and plan for endless photo stops along the way.

Before you go on the hunt for unique, colorful places worldwide, make sure to explore the many natural wonders stateside. Arizona has no shortage of sensational scenery—it is the Grand Canyon State, after all—but the sculpted sandstone of Antelope Canyon shines the brightest, especially under the midday sun. As sunlight beams down into the slot canyon, the wave-like rocks smolder in psychedelic swirls of orange and red. It’s a fiery spectacle you have to see to believe.

Insider tip: The most dramatic photo opportunities are from March through October. Time your arrival for noon, when the sunlight reaches right down to the bottom of the canyon.

Nicknamed the “Pink City” for its salmon-hued architecture, Jaipur is home to some of India’s most magnificent landmarks. Join a walking tour or tuk tuk tour to admire the terracotta tones of the City Palace and the Palace of Wind (Hawal Mahal), then visit the 16th-century Amber Fort and stroll around the Bapu Bazaar to find some colorful treasures to take home. The best views are at sunrise or sunset, when the golden light brings out the pink shades.

Insider tip: For an unforgettable explosion of color, time your visit to Jaipur to celebrate Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors, held in early spring.

Some of the most vibrant places around the world exist under the ocean, where vast coral reefs teem with exotic fish and sea creatures. Egypt’s Red Sea Coast is a trove of underwater wonders, and snorkelers and scuba divers can swim over towering walls of coral and colorful coral gardens full of flaming red Fire Coral, purple Bubble Coral, and neon pink Soft Coral. Go scuba diving at famous sites such as the Blue Hole near Dahab and Sharm el Sheikh, and look out for brightly patterned clownfish, lionfish, and angelfish, as well as blue-spotted rays.

The five villages of the Cinque Terre, set along Italy’s rugged and rocky Ligurian Coast, each bring a distinctive splash of color to the UNESCO–listed shoreline. The teetering cliffside houses of Riomaggiore and seafront buildings of Vernazza are painted in flamboyant block colors, in contrast to the muted pastel shades of Manarola and Monterosso al Mare. Set out for a hike, bike, or train ride along the coastal trails of the Cinque Terre National Park, sail past on a boat cruise, or go wine tasting in the surrounding vineyards.

Insider tip: Plan your hike for April or May, when the coast is speckled with wildflowers.

Remote, uninhabited, and scorchingly hot, a journey to the geothermal area of Dallol in northern Ethiopia is not for the faint of heart. It’s worth the long journey—most travelers take a 3-day tour from Semera—to admire the Mars-esque landscapes, where the parched desert is spattered with jagged volcanic rocks, acid green thermal pools, and fiery orange and yellow salt deposits. Combine it with a visit to the lava lakes of nearby Erta Ale volcano, nicknamed the “Gateway to Hell”.

Did you know?: Dallol sits within the Danakil Depression, which is known as one of the earth’s hottest places.

The Inca citadel of Machu Picchu might be Cusco’s star attraction, but Peru’s most colorful mountain lies in the opposite direction. Hike to Mt. Vinicunca (otherwise known as Rainbow Mountain), a 2–3 hour effort to altitudes over 16,500 feet (5,000 meters), and you’ll be rewarded with views of one of the country’s most striking natural wonders. Learn how the dramatic rainbow effect is created by layers of mineral-rich rock and admire the bright stripes of yellow, red, green, brown, pink, purple, and cream that run down the mountainside. Keep in mind that it’s only possible to visit the mountain on a guided tour.

From the famous tanneries of Fez to the bustling souks of Marrakech, Morocco is full of colorful cities to visit—but few are quite as beguiling as the mountain town of Chefchaouen. Hidden away in the Rif Mountains near the northernmost tip of Morocco, the picturesque town two hours south of Tangier is known for its blue-hued color scheme with buildings, streets, and walls all painted in shades of azure, sapphire, and cobalt.

Did you know?: Chefchaouen’s blue buildings were originally painted by Jewish refugees arriving in the town during WWII; the blue is said to represent the sky, the heavens, and the power of God.

The Netherlands is famous for its vibrant tulips, but the most celebrated display is at Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, an easy day trip from Amsterdam or The Hague. Some 7 million flowers are planted in the garden, with formal English gardens set around a lake, windmill, and scenic canals. Spot 800 different varieties of tulip in every color imaginable, laid out in elaborate floral mosaics, ornamental arrangements, and dramatic rainbow stripes.

Insider tip: The seasonal gardens are only open from mid-March through to mid-May, so book your tickets early, especially if you want to catch the annual Bollenstreek Flower Parade.

Another unmissable destination for flower enthusiasts is Western Australia’s Coral Coast, which serves as a vast canvas for winter wildflowers. Vibrant carpets of color stretch through Kalbarri National Park during wildflower season (typically from July through October) with more than 800 varieties popping up along the cliffs, gorges, and banks of the Murchison River. Head to Nature’s Window or Z-Bend Gorge for a magnificent view over the color-streaked landscapes, or explore with a wildflower guide who can point out wild orchids, coppercups, star flowers, and many rare and endemic species.

Related: Know Before You Go: Experiencing Wildflower Season in Western Australia

Mexico is full of brightly painted towns and colorful street art destinations, but our vote goes to Guanajuato, a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its brightly painted buildings and colonial architecture. Join a walking tour to explore the town’s cobbled lanes, underground tunnels, and multi-colored monuments, as you learn about its silver and gold-mining history. Along the way, browse the bustling Hidalgo Market, visit the Diego Rivera Museum, and admire the street-art splashed walls and houses painted in every shade of the rainbow.