How can a city be beautiful? A tall skyline, sizable parks or a determined adoration for one colour. Is it a location where you can spend days touring historic sites, top-notch art galleries, or nearby mountains? Or just somewhere with a special spark, like a place with a street market full of bright, luscious oranges, live music in the middle of the square and young couples lost in their worlds.
Undoubtedly, each person will have a different response. Here is our by no means complete list of the Best cities in the world with natural settings.
14 Best Cities In The World With Natural Settings
- Edinburgh
- Cape Town
- Mumbai
- Porto
- Medellin
- Prague
- Montreal
- Madrid
- Manchester
- Melbourne
- London
- Tokyo
- Barcelona
- Rome
Edinburgh
We all know what Edinburgh is most renowned for. The Scottish capital is unbeatable all year round, with landmarks, architecture, and scenic hotspots that make it one of the most beautiful cities to explore on foot.
It also has a food and drink scene that features a constantly changing selection of cutting-edge bars and eateries, from the new Leith restaurant and wine bar Eleanore to Bonnie & Wild’s Scottish Marketplace at the St James Quarter.
This is a pleasant, welcoming city with a vibrant nightlife that promotes individuality across all communities. It is progressive and open to all groups forever. In addition, those festivities are coming back in August.
The popular Ka Pao restaurant in Glasgow, the chocolate café Ocelot in Stockbridge, and the Leith neighbourhood staple Cocorico are just a few of the fantastic new establishments worth checking out.
The Port of Leith Distillery, which will be located on the waterfront, will be Scotland’s first “vertical distillery” in the city.
Cape Town
In Cape Town, you may enjoy good food, culture, mountains, beaches, and vibrant nightlife. With so many great swimming holes, from Clifton and Camps Bay on the Atlantic side to Muizenberg and Simon’s Town on the Indian, few cities are better for outdoor enthusiasts.
Not to mention the numerous hiking options provided by places like Newlands Forest, Cecilia Forest, and Kirstenbosch Garden (93% of residents said their city was beautiful, ranking second in the globe for a good reason). You’ll be in absolute ecstasy if you return to town and order a boerewors roll.
Mumbai
Mumbai provides a place for individuals who have huge dreams, from the corporate behemoths to the glamorous film industry and the constantly busy food and nightlife sectors. Whether there is a pandemic or not, the city’s character is characterized by the way its residents come together during both happy and difficult times.
This city draws people in like bees to honey, offering chances for those who dare to try as well as assistance to those in need. And the nightlife doesn’t only happen in the clubs—great food is available around-the-clock, and you can even get a front-row seat by the bay if you choose.
The city seems to have recently developed a taste for Japanese cuisine, as seen by the upscale new eateries Akina, Koishii, Wakai, and the current talk-of-the-town Neuma by Bollywood legend Karan Johar.
Porto
A few things please Portuenses more than a drink at the end of the day, especially if you can score a table with a view of the Douro River. The inhabitants of the second-largest city in Portugal are usually accepting, however, they are picky eaters.
That may be the reason this city has so many excellent restaurants, providing everything from traditional tripe meals and sarrabulho porridge to cutting-edge Michelin-star cuisine. It is therefore not surprising that, according to this year’s Index, 96% of Porto residents think favorably of their city’s culinary scene.
Medellin
Medellin, also referred to as the “City of Eternal Spring,” provides more than just pleasant weather all year long. It’s difficult to avoid making friends in Paisa because the residents are so enthusiastic about their city and fiercely proud that it is the only one in Colombia with a metro system.
El Social, Salón Amador, Vintrash, or any bar along La 70 will show you a good time. Medellin nightlife was named the best in the world in this year’s study, but it may not be all that unexpected given that this is the city that brought us reggaeton artists J Balvin, Maluma, and Karol G.
Prague
It’s no wonder that Prague was selected as the third most attractive city in the world in this year’s Index because few capitals look as lovely.
It’s not just a lovely face, though. Visitors are learning that the quality of life is getting better and better, as seen by the abundance of art galleries, museums, and delicious, reasonably priced food available everywhere.
Locals emphasize that using public transport is a simple way to go. Take their advice and return to nature for some peace, particularly at the nearby Divoká árka Valley for which you don’t even need to leave the city.
Montreal
There has never been a more exciting time to visit Montreal. Following the pandemic, the city has recovered with an influx of fresh eateries, nightclubs, and upbeat vibes. You’ll find fresh new items, whether it’s Michelin-calibre meals or mind-blowingly affordable food.
Montreal’s breathtaking architecture, pleasant attitudes, and renowned hospitality haven’t changed, and that blend of European culture and Québécois joie de vivre is still very much alive and well.
The entire city is uniting to enjoy art and culture on every corner during the peak festival season. We’re talking about free concerts, waterfront celebrations, and an intense nightlife scene.
Overall, Montreal achieved impressive results: 93 per cent of residents gave the city high marks for its food and drink scene, 82 per cent applauded its art and museums, and 80 per cent said it was simple to go for a walk outdoors.
Madrid
Madrid has changed significantly from how it was positive. Each day, you’ll discover more things to do, see, and – most importantly – eat than ever before. It’s just as enjoyable and hospitable as it has always been.
It makes sense that 94 per cent of respondents thought Madrid’s cuisine and beverages were excellent. It’s not surprising that 95% of residents think highly of the city’s art and culture given the presence of renowned institutions like the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza.
Explore the Plaza de Espaa, which was recently refurbished, and eat at one of the many excellent restaurants nearby.
Only 1% of Madrilenos view their city as uninteresting, thus there is never a dull moment in the Spanish capital. In addition to receiving good marks for food and culture, 86 per cent of locals feel the city’s nightlife is also top-notch.
Manchester
With its consistently friendly landscape of restaurants, bars, and world-class culture (feline-themed cafes Neon Tiger and Kitten are two impressive recent additions), Manchester, which was this year ranked as the second friendliest city in the world, will always make you feel at home.
Manchester is a robust, forward-thinking city that embraces its heritage while constantly looking to the future. It is a true melting pot. We’re in fantastic shape right now, and growing areas like Prestwich and Ancoats are unquestionably among the best places in the world to live.
Wait till Factory, one of the biggest and most anticipated new arts venues in Europe, opens its doors in the first few months of 2019. Another nearby structure that will be transformed into a park in the Highline style is the Victorian Castle field Viaduct.
Melbourne
Keeping up with the latest bar, cafe and restaurant openings in Melbourne has always felt like a sport, but it has now reached Olympic proportions. The Melbourne restaurant resurgence is providing us with a variety of must-try drinking and dining experiences after two years of lockdowns.
And it wouldn’t be overstating things to claim that there are currently arts festivals in every nook and cranny of the state. Think of magnificent semi-permanent exhibitions, live music, and outdoor installations. The city has never felt more vibrant, in truth.
Head inside snug new establishments like Otto, Serai, and Parcs as Melbourne’s temps drop; they all reflect a prominent culinary trend of charred, caramelised meals produced with a waste-not approach to vegetables.
London
London is once more a joy to be in. While it’s true that the cost of living crisis has negatively impacted our capacity to enjoy ourselves on a budget, our city is now feeling better than you might imagine. It was a nice reminder of how democratized culture is in this country to see all of our free galleries and museums reopen.
Meanwhile, new club nights are popping up and frequently hopping from venue to venue like glitter-and-baggie-strewn pop-ups, signalling a surprising resurgence in the nightlife.
It’s wonderful to see something genuinely subversive erupting once more in London, which has a horrible reputation for catering solely to the wealthy and middle-aged.
Tokyo
The Japanese government is unwavering, maintaining its goal of 60 million visitors and $136 billion in tourism earnings by 2030, despite the pandemic and the ensuing derailment of Japan’s plans.
It’s not as ridiculous as it sounds: the nation had record tourism for seven years in a row, and with the development of the international terminal at Haneda, the city’s principal airport, Tokyo can now welcome even more guests, according to Resonance.
There is a lot of excitement surrounding Japan’s recent reopening to foreign tourists; given that it is the top shopping destination in the world, wallets will probably be open when they return.
Tokyo, which has the best restaurants in the world, is known for its life-changing ramen, making it a place worth organizing a whole trip around. And don’t panic if eating out consumes the majority of your travel cash.
Barcelona
Barcelona is a nearly perfect example of a European city, with year-round near-perfect weather, endless miles of beaches, famous parks, famous Gaud-designed buildings, and “colourful neighbourhoods that march to their beat—artistic, sophisticated, bohemian,” according to Resonance. Now, “bike-friendly” can be added to the list.
More non-vehicular access to the city is what visitors will discover. 20 more miles of bike lanes will be finished by 2023, as promised by Mayor Colau, who has already created 125 miles of lanes. Playgrounds and public seating have taken the place of parking and roadways as part of the mayor’s “superblock” programme.
Just take a look at Passeig de Sant Joan, which Time Out just named one of the best streets in the world. With its bicycle lanes, wide sidewalks, vegetation, and broad outdoor seating, Sant Joan is one of Spain’s first green corridors.
It was created for self-propelled mobility and discovery, according to Resonance. Mercat de l’Abaceria, the city’s beloved food market, is also located there at least until it relocates later this decade.
Rome
Few cities provide the chance to travel through Western history like Roma. If you have an hour, Palatine Hill alone draws you into two millennia’s worth of history, claims Resonance. Resonance reports that dozens of other museums and cultural landmarks have just reopened or have been unveiled for the first time.
Not to be missed are the recently restored Augustus Mausoleum and Casa Romana, a house from the 4th century located below Giovanni Barracco’s Museum of Ancient Sculpture. One of the more recent additions is the Museo Ninfeo, which documents the remains of a “vacation home for Roman emperors.
Every cobblestone street in Rome has an old-world charm, but the city never gets complacent. The city’s first Hoxton hotel and imminent Colosseum renovations are two new reasons to travel there; just remember to avoid sitting on the Spanish Steps when you go back.
Conclusion
Above mentioned are the best cities in the world for a destination with urban pleasures but also with natural and man-made beauty. They offer a combination of magnificent architecture and breathtaking vistas; art and nature in perfect harmony.
If you want to make a list of the top places to see before you die, start with these beautiful cities.