Architectural Wonder Cities You Should Visit, According To Your Aesthetic
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There’s a certain type of traveler who wanders cities with eyes wide, always staring up at the surrounding buildings. Those architecture lovers and design nerds alike will love these destinations filled with meticulously crafted skyscrapers, palaces and religious monuments. Each one is like walking through a different time period.
Here are our picks for cities that represent iconic architecture styles, based on your aesthetic.
Elegant, Sophisticated And Geometric
Art Deco – New York City, U.S.
The Roaring Twenties in NYC was also an architectural boom. Look for Art Deco design in the Chrysler Building, Empire State Building and Radio City Music Hall.
Graceful, Harmonized And Sturdy
Ottoman – Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul’s Ottoman architecture is rooted in the country’s Islamic history. Gawk at the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar.
Ornate, Pastel And Palatial
Baroque – Vienna, Austria
Even if you only check out Baroque palaces in Vienna, you’ll have a full schedule (Schönbrunn being the obvious choice, if you have to pick one). But there are also numerous churches and government buildings in the style.
Avant-Garde, Sleek And Sustainable
NeoFuturist – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The iconic Burj Khalifa tower and the Signature Towers in Dubai make the city feel like an outer space adventure from decades to come.
Intricate, Imposing And Ornamental
Gothic – Prague, Czech Republic
Medieval fairytale city Prague is home to the gothic Charles Bridge and Sleeping Beauty-esque Town Square, as well as the cathedral and city gates.
Contrasting, Embellished And Zen
Muromachi – Kyoto, Japan
During the Muromachi period, Japanese architecture shifted from very simple to kind of ostenacious. You can see the juxtaposition in style and decoration in Kyoto’s temples, like the Kinkaku-ji.
Colorful, Kaleidoscopic And Inimitable
Modernism – Barcelona, Spain
There’s nothing like Gaudí. Barcelona’s Parc Guell, Sagrada Familia church and Casa Batlló residential buildings all make the city an unforgettable tour through the unique artist’s vision.
Grand, Regal And Traditional
Classicism – Washington D.C., U.S.
The United States capital was crafted to mimic the ancient Roman style, so the D.C. monuments all represent the classic style. Think pillars, columns and domes, all on a grand scale.
Creative, Flowery And Whimsical
Art Nouveau – Paris, France
The romantic reasons we all adore Paris all come down to the feel of walking through the city’s Art Nouveau creations. Even the metro stations have the whimsical Art Nouveau look.
Sunlit, Symbolic And Decorated
Imperial – Beijing, China
Certain colors during the Imperial era in China were only allowed to be used for royal constructions. Yellow was the color of the emperor, as can still be seen in the Forbidden City.
Minimalist, Cubic And Simple
Bauhaus – Tel Aviv, Israel
After World War II, German Jewish architects brought the recognizable cubist Bauhaus style to Israel. There are now 4,000 buildings in this style in the White City of Tel Aviv.
Unique, High-Tech And Untraditional
Postmodern – Bilbao, Spain
Although you can find Frank Gehry’s wavy signature style in museums in the U.S., it’s really at its best outside of modern L.A. and N.Y.C. In Bilbao, the reflective metal Guggenheim contrasts with the mostly flat surrounding city perfectly.
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