From the humblest early abodes to soaring modern skyscrapers, the way people have built structures shows an unflinching timeline of our humanity — a testament to our longevity and the will to hold tightly to our cultures. For city lovers, there’s no better way to be inspired than to visit the places where risks are taken, art is born and communities thrive. Here are four five destinations to discover, expand, or renew your love of the cities that make us.
Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona’s rich history is peppered with artistic innovation, particularly in design. The city is renowned for the iconic works of the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, including the masterpiece Sagrada Família, a surreal basilica that combines Gothic and Art Nouveau elements. The Gothic Quarter, or Barri Gòtic, preserves medieval structures and narrow cobblestone streets, offering a glimpse into Barcelona's medieval past. Modernisme, a Catalan Art Nouveau movement, is vividly represented in Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, demonstrating a harmonious integration of nature-inspired designs and functional spaces.
Sagrada Família by Antoni Gaudí. Photo courtesy Architectural Digest
Rome, Florence, Venice, and Tuscany, Italy
No list about architecture would be complete without a nod to some of the greatest sculptors in history. Renowned for its influential role in shaping Western architecture, Italy boasts iconic landmarks like the Colosseum and the Pantheon in Rome, showcasing the grandeur of ancient Roman engineering. The Renaissance period further enriched Italian architecture with masterpieces like Florence's Duomo and Michelangelo's St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.
The buildings’ captivatingly intricate details show an emphasis on symmetry, proportion, and classical ideals that contribute to these living history books, a must-see for any world traveler.
Duomo, or Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, whose origins trace to 1294. Photo courtesy Unsplash
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is a wonderfully unique city for so many reasons. Part glam, part traditional — a perfect juxtaposition for modern and traditional Japanese architecture. In stark contrast with its spectacular contemporary buildings of glass and steel, Tokyo's traditional wooden buildings with sliding doors (fusuma and shoji), and graceful rooflines is a testament to the city's ability to weave natural beauty and Japanese tradition with modern design. The city's iconic landmarks include the Tokyo Skytree, the Tokyo Tower, and the Meiji Shrine. A true place of zen running parallel to the hustle and bustle of Japan’s cutting edge tech world.
Chidorigafuchi Park in Tokyo, Japan. Photo courtesy Getty Images
Paris, France
Though it may seem clichè, the City of Love offers so much more than a backdrop for a romance novel. French architecture is renowned for its elegance and sophistication, characterized by intricate details and grandiose structures like the iconic Eiffel Tower and the majestic Palace of Versailles. From the Gothic marvels of Notre-Dame Cathedral to the classical beauty of the Louvre Museum, France's architectural heritage reflects centuries of artistic innovation and cultural influence. Strolling along the Seine to admire the lights? Sounds like a date.
Pont Alexandre III is an extension of the Champs-Élysées. Photo courtesy Unsplash
Honorable mention: The United States of America
Bold of us to include the USA in a list of the most famous buildings in all of history! However, cities across the country pay homage to world-changing American architects and designers like Frank Lloyd Wright, Daniel Burnham, and Louis Henry Sullivan with museums and landmarks honoring their work.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, located near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo courtesy Unsplash