The World’s Most Colorful Cities
Barcelona, Spain
While Barcelona itself is a kaleidoscope of colorful architecture, people, food, and culture, few places can hold a candle to Parque Güell. Twisted spires swirl on Carmel Hill above the undulating skyline of the city, and split ceramics adorn the winding banks behind Roman-inspired architecture. Despite that clear influence, this park is not Roman at all. Parque Güell was built under the watchful eye of Antoni Gaudí — who also happens to have architected La Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló — in the early aughts of the 20th century. An exceptional synthesis of color, texture, shape, and design, this 12-acre park encapsulates the artistic currents of his era and reaches across time to embody the spirit of modern Barcelona.
However, the rest of this Catalonian city is far from dim. Late night cafes and bustling nightclubs light the winding corridors of the Gothic Quarter built upon a history stretching back to the Roman world. And in the daytime, a look around any corner will delight the senses with a vivid picture of a complex culture whose warm welcome turns many visitors into a lifelong evangelist for this Spanish city.
–Jessi Devenyns