If a Miss World Cities pageant were to exist, Australia would have a seriously stellar line-up of contenders. From the emerald-toned wilderness of Tasmania’s Tarkine Rainforest and the bubblegum pink waters of Lake Hillier to the crimson red rocks of Uluru and the sparkling turquoise waters of the Whitsundays, our beauty is hard to beat. Yet, in this year’s (hypothetical) beauty pageant, an underdog has stolen the sash.
The creative minds at Architectural Digest (AD) recently unveiled a list of the most beautiful cities in the world, and Adelaide (yes, Adelaide) has clinched the crown. Crafting a list of the globe’s most gorgeous cities is an almost impossible task, given beauty is in the eye of the beholder. However, the art buffs took a stab, judging cities around the world based on their architecture, cultural treasures, historical relevance and natural appeal. Pretty much, they defined the top 20 cities as those that “offer something that can’t be found anywhere else.”
Surrounded by remarkable coastlines to the west and rolling hills to the south and east, Adelaide scored top marks across the board. South Australia's bustling capital city is known for its distinctive natural beauty, featuring plenty of stunning seaside spots, along with boulevards lined with charming Art Deco buildings.
Beyond its surf and sand dunes, locals are blessed to be neighboured by the vast Adelaide Hills. Here, you can revel in the lush landscapes of award-winning wineries and restaurants, or embark on a picturesque hike in search of koalas and kangaroos. Feeling inspired? Start wanderlusting at this round up the most beautiful day trips to take from Adelaide.
Here are the 20 most beautiful cities in the world, according to Architectural Digest:
- Adelaide, Australia
- Tallinn, Estonia
- Portsmouth, Dominica
- San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
- Antigua, Guatemala
- Singapore
- Paris, France
- Chefchaouen, Morocco
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Luxor, Egypt
- Istanbul, Turkey
- Kyoto, Japan
- Barcelona, Spain
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Florence, Italy
- Djenné, Mali
- New York City, USA
- Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Jaipur, India
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