Cities have an undeniable appeal for many travellers. But when it comes to picking a city to visit, there are too many to choose from with more than 500 cities with over a million inhabitants around the world. Each has its own charms and tastes are different. We realise it’s a little presumptuous to claim we can name the top 15, but we have also grounded our list in some research too by looking at a number of surveys and studies on the same topic.

Previous studies attempting to determine what are the world’s most beautiful cities include one by the travel company Kuoni, which evaluated TripAdvisor entries. Online Mortgage Advisor chose a different approach. In that case, analysts examined cities according to the aesthetic principle of the golden section. The golden section is a proportion that can be measured precisely and is perceived by people as being particularly harmonious. The travel guidebook series Rough Guide based their study on a Facebook survey that they conducted. An equally interesting contribution is the ranking of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), which regularly determines the most liveable cities in the world. So don’t just take our word for it, the 15 cities listed here are regulars on rankings of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Rome

The Forum was the centre of public life for the ancient Romans. Adjacent to this area that was the political, religious and commercial heart of the Roman Empire is the Colosseum, still the largest amphitheatre in the world. Both sights are in the centre of contemporary Rome.

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Rome, the Eternal City. The capital of Italy has something for everyone. Follow in the footsteps of caesars and senators, visit the most important sites of the Catholic Church, experience la dolce vita on the city streets, and enjoy Italy’s culinary riches—all this is possible in Rome. The city, where history and modernity coexist, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world. Case in point: Rome’s staircases alone could be the basis of a beautiful itinerary, from the double spiral staircase in the Vatican Museums and the staircase of the Palazzo Senatorio, a masterpiece by Michelangelo, to the legendary Spanish Steps.

Paris

The Eiffel Tower has come to symbolise Paris and the 324-metre-high landmark is visible from throughout the city.

London

Two icons of London are seen here, its red telephone boxes and Big Ben, at the Palace of Westminster. Some local intelligence: The name Big Ben originally referred only to the largest bell in the Great Clock, though it has since been extended to refer to the entire clock and the tower too.

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Afternoon tea, fish and chips, and the royal family—Great Britain and its capital London stand for all this and much more. In addition to so much tradition, the metropolis is a place of striking modernity. From the crown jewels to a series of manicured parks, and elegant terrace houses to the masterpieces in its many museums, London is blessed with beauty. The London Eye and 30 St Mary Axe, designed by Ken Shuttleworth and Norman Foster (also called “The Gherkin” because of its shape), are sights to behold for those with contemporary taste.

Prague

It’s a city that looks like it comes from the pages of a storybook. The Charles Bridge is Prague’s most iconic landmark. It stretches from the Old Town across the Vltava River to the Malá Strana, or Lesser Quarter. The stone bridge was built in the 14th century and is one of the oldest in Europe.

Prague is a sight to behold with its fairy-tale architecture in a variety of styles from Renaissance to Art Deco and beyond. Its historic heart is an enchanting jumble of streets, inviting you to get lost wandering. Visits to the Charles Bridge, lined with Baroque sculptures and Prague Castle (one of the largest in the world) should be on your itinerary.

Did you know that the city of Venice includes 118 islands, scattered across the Venetian lagoon? One of them is Burano which, with its many colourful houses, should be a stop for every visitor in search of beauty.

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A city like Venice, where you travel by boat as much as on foot, is a singular experience. It is a city so fantastic that everyone should experience it and its luminous light. But it’s not only the bridges and boats that make Venice so interesting, there are also its elegant palazzos overlooking the Grand Canal, lavish St. Mark’s and the Doges’ Palace, and the works by old masters in its museums.

Sydney

Much of the beauty of Sydney, Australia’s largest city, is a result of its geography. Its harbour offers a captivating setting and sunlight reflecting off the water is a part of the Sydney experience wherever you go. From its world-famous beaches to its waterfront Opera House, the sea is a constant, alluring presence here.

Who doesn’t think of the sun and the surf, and miles of golden beaches, when they think of Sydney? This popular big city embodies summer fun in every season. If it is your favourite season too, a plus is that Australia’s summer coincides with the coldest days in the northern hemisphere. If you want to escape the cold winter months, pack your bags for one of the most beautiful cities in the world, blessed with blue skies and sea breezes. If you don’t like it quite so hot, it’s better to travel from October to November (Australian spring) or from March to April (their autumn). During these windows, temperatures in Sydney are usually between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, warm but a little milder than in the summer, from December to February.

New York

The yellow taxis and the dazzling billboards are as much a part of the New York cityscape as the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island. It’s a city for dreamers that buzzes with energy and its own particular beauty.

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New York, the city that never sleeps. Here you can be inspired by the lights of Times Square or the stories told on Broadway. There is a beauty here in the soaring skyscrapers, the elegant stores on Madison and Fifth, the waterfronts with the city lights reflected in the Hudson and East Rivers, and in its sheer diversity—a world of experiences, flavours and even sounds await in just one city. At the end of a day of constant stimulation, you will likely agree that New York has a unique if frenetic beauty.

Barcelona

Barcelona is brilliantly colourful like this mosaic that can be found at Park Güell in the Catalan capital. The park was created by architect Antoni Gaudí between 1900 and 1914 and he lived nearby from 1906 to 1925. It has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Vancouver

Vancouver lies at the foot of the North Shore Mountains. Strolling through one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its magnificent location on the edge of the Pacific, you still feel connected to nature thanks to the impressive alpine backdrop.

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Do you prefer nature or urban life? Vancouver’s answer to that question is “why not both?” The metropolis, British Columbia’s largest city, is located in the southwest corner of Canada and is surrounded by mountains, forests, and the Pacific Ocean with nearby alpine trails waiting to be explored and beautiful Vancouver Island just a short ferry ride away. Even within the city limits, enormous Stanley Park provides an opportunity to escape to the great outdoors.

Vienna

Austria’s capital was once the capital of the Hapsburg Empire and its grand avenues and legendary Ringstrasse reflect that moment of splendour. The photo here is of Michaelerplatz a square with a Baroque design that dates from the 18^th century and sits next to the Hofburg palace.

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Bangkok

A trip to Bangkok can feel like a journey into another world. Neon advertisements and peaceful temples create for surprising juxtapositions. For any fan of Thai cuisine, there are countless opportunities to savour its curries and grilled dishes. With traffic that appears to follow no rules, the city can sometimes feel overwhelming but amid the chaos there are countless moments of beauty.

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For years, Bangkok has been one of the most visited cities in the world. It’s a clear indicator that there is something about the Thai city that fascinates and attracts people from around the world. Its royal palace is an incredible series of ornate pavilions, while the Chao Phraya river is lined with temples where residents gather to worship as they have for centuries. At night, as temperatures drop, residents and visitors alike emerge to enjoy the evenings and the city takes on a different form of nocturnal beauty.

Seattle

If Seattle’s skyline looks otherworldly, it’s in large part thanks to the Space Needle, which rises 184 metres above the city centre. The tower contains a viewing platform and a restaurant and is an absolute must for visitors.

Singapore

Like a vision from another world, the luminous towers designed to look like giant trees stretch out their branches above the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. Two of the towers are connected by a bridge 128 metres in the air which brave visitors can cross.

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With its futuristic skyline, Singapore appeals to the curiosity of many travel enthusiasts. The Ferris wheel, the Supertrees, and the Marina Bay Sands hotel, which has one of the coolest pools in the world on its roof garden, are just three sensational contemporary buildings in the city. But there are also centuries-old neighbourhoods and colonial-era buildings in the mix that help to make Singapore beautiful and intriguing too.

Osaka

Much of life in Osaka unfolds on its main street called Dotonbori, lined with shops and restaurants.

Japan makes it on to our list thanks to the port of Osaka. The city is not only popular with tourists but also, like Vienna, it often appears on rankings of the most liveable cities in the world. In the most recent EIU ranking, it came in 10th. The city is particularly beautiful in spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom are in bloom, or in the autumn, when trees in the city’s parks and nearby put on a vibrant fall foliage display.

Rio de Janeiro

When you think of Rio de Janeiro, quite likely what comes to mind are dreamy beaches, samba and, of course, the iconic 30-metre-high statue of Cristo Redentor, which looks down protectively on the metropolis from its position atop the peak of Corcovado.

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In Rio de Janeiro, fantastic beaches run alongside a densely populated city that embraces a Latin American attitude towards life. The attachment to the Catholic faith is clearly felt here. There’s not only the famous statue of Christ that looks over the city, but also numerous churches that are some of the more popular sights to see. And then there is another side of Rio too, a land of bossa nova and mojitos. All of this unfolds in a city blessed by a stunning topography, with its unusual coastline, miles-long stretches of sand, and soaring peaks, some right at the water’s edge.