Prettiest Colorful Neighborhoods Around the World

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Looking for colorful travel inspiration? We’ve got you covered. Home owner associations (HOAs) in the US usually require neighborhood homes to be painted all the same color. While it may look neater and more uniform, it can also be a bit boring and bland. Some neighborhoods can look a bit rundown if the colors of the houses don’t match or aren’t kept up. But there are many neighborhoods around the world that have brightened up their neighborhood by adding color to their buildings.

While prettiest or most beautiful is subjective, there isn’t any argument about these exteriors not being colorful. We love the vibrant lively colors on the walls, and the often picturesque mountainous or beach locations nearby. Here are some of the prettiest colorful houses around the world.

Bo Kaap - Cape Town, South Africa

In the CBD of Cape Town, just below Signal Hill is the Bo Kaap neighborhood. The colorful houses sometimes even have shiny colorful cars parked out front during the day. We were advised by locals not to visit in the evening or even park our car near the neighborhood at night.

During the daytime however, the neighborhood is bustling with tourists and locals admiring the multi-colored houses. Cape Town is one of our favorite places in the world and the Bo Kaap area is a must-see. Book a guided tour with a local here.

Burano - Venice, Italy

The island of Burano in Venice, Italy is a short boat ride away from the main city. It is a popular island for Instagrammers due to its colorful homes. The island is also known for its lacework so if you’re looking for an Italian souvenir, check out the lace scarves and handicrafts in the streets.

Victoria Street, West Bow - Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland is an easy city to walk around. There are some inclines, but the city is well-suited for wandering. If you wander around Old Town, you’ll likely find yourself strolling down Victoria Street with its colorful shopfronts.

Muizenberg Beach - Cape Town, South Africa

Another colorful spot in Cape Town is Muizenberg Beach. Technically not houses, but the beach shacks are so pretty that we couldn’t leave them off the list! The coastline and mountains in the background from either direction make the rainbow buildings even more magical.

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Hobbiton - Middle Earth - Matamata, New Zealand

Technically not a neighborhood – no one lives in Hobbiton since it’s a movie set. But the hobbit hole facades are so realistic and detailed that it’s hard not to imagine that it’s all real. Each entry door is painted a different color, and there are a variety of flowers planted all over to make this one of the prettiest colorful neighborhoods we’ve ever seen.

Roseggerstraße - Innsbruck, Austria

This neighborhood is about a 15 minute walk from the train station in Innsbruck. It’s just outside of the city center and we didn’t see any other tourists walking around during our visit. If the colorful buildings aren’t pretty enough, the alps in the background are breathtakingly beautiful. Photos can’t really capture the magnificence. You’ll definitely want to visit in person!

Rothenburg ob der Tauber - Bavaria, Germany

The whole town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber is fairy-tale city. The colorful buildings and houses are lined with flowerpots in every window sill. Walk on top of the medieval town wall that surrounds the town for amazing views of the cute storybook buildings and panoramic views of the surrounding area.

It’s easy to spend a whole day in Rothenburg wandering the streets. Don’t miss the Christmas displays at Käthe Wohlfahrt or the St. George’s fountain that inspired the one in Epcot.

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