Pink palace Hawa Mahal, Jaipur, India
Photograph: Shutterstock
Photograph: Shutterstock

8 of the prettiest pink places on earth

Barbie Land has got nothing on these intensely pink real-life destinations around the world

Charmaine Wong
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Barbiemania is sweeping the world right now – and if you’re as excited as we are to go full HAM on the pink pomp and paraphernalia of Greta Gerwig’s highly-anticipated doll movie, you’ll want to read on. Barbie Land may or may not exist IRL (sorry), but if ‘Barbie’ leaves you hungry for more pink in your life, here’s the travel list you need.

We’ve looked around the world to put together a guide to the prettiest, pinkest places for you (and your Ken) to live your Barbie Land fantasy. From Hawaii to Scotland, it’s a rosy hit list of plastic-fantastic trip inspo. Move over, millennial pink: Barbiecore has landed.

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The pinkest places in the world

1. The Don CeSar, Florida

Dramatically perched on top of windswept dunes on St Pete Beach in Florida, The Don CeSar looks as much like a Wes Anderson creation as it does a palatial Barbie Dreamhouse. Once you’re done on the beach, head inside to max out your plastic at the in-house shopping arcade.

2. Lake Hillier, Western Australia

Lake Hillier is one of only a few pink lakes in the world. Scientists suspect that it’s the high level of salt in the water that makes the lake a vibrant pink. It’s worth noting that it’s a protected nature reserve, so keep Malibu Barbie away from this one.

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3. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Known as the ‘Palace of Winds’, the Hawa Mahal is one of the most recognisable palaces in Jaipur, India’s pink city. Built from red and pink sandstone in 1799, this majestic pile is a fine example of the Mughal and Rajput architectural styles – and perfect for the ’gram, naturally.

4. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Honolulu

Also known as the ‘Pink Palace of the Pacific’, it’s hard to miss the iconic Royal Hawaiian Hotel while strolling down the Waikiki beachfront. Built in 1927, this huge luxury hotel has a distinctive Spanish-Moorish design with a vibey pink stucco façade.

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5. La Muralla Roja, Spain

The name of this postmodern apartment complex in Spain’s Alicante region means ‘the red wall’. But who are they kidding? This place is as pink as it gets. With magnificent panoramic views and direct access to the Costa Blanca coves, the private housing estate contains 50 properties – some of which are on Airbnb.

6. Tan Dinh Church, Ho Chi Minh City

This pink Catholic church is hard to miss, with its bright facade popping against the grey backdrop of Vietnam’s biggest metropolis. Its intricate colonial architectural styles have somehow survived the country’s turbulent history.

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7. Le Palais Bulles, France

The Palais Bulles may not be an actual palace, but it may as well be, as it used to be the holiday home of fashion designer Pierre Cardin. Located in Théoule-sur-Mer near Cannes, this ‘bubble palace’ is probably the most extravagant (and dare we say, utopian!) home on the French Riviera.

8. Craigievar Castle, Scotland

Craigiever Castle is truly a real-life Cinderella castle in Scotland, only without the rodent footmen and evil stepmother. Nestled on a picturesque hillside south of Alford in Aberdeenshire, the seventeenth-century tower house is among the best preserved in Scotland.

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