Brasov, Romania

This is undoubtably the town of Brasov. Can you figure out why? Spot the definitive (and quite cheesy) sign! Brasov is a very popular town in Romania, perhaps the most visited town of all Transylvania. The main attraction here is “Dracula’s Castle,” which unfortunately isn’t Dracula’s Castle (sorry, that is Poenari Citadel – it’s just that Poenari is isolated and well off the beaten path, while Brasov’s castle is easily accessible). But that doesn’t mean that Brasov doesn’t have other charms. Because it is popular, it has many amenities. It is an ideal welcome to travelling in Romania, as many other parts of Romania have fewer amenities western travellers are accustomed to. It’s busy, it’s accessible, it’s well sign-posted, and there are plenty of restaurants/bars etc. English is spoken throughout. And of course, Brasov is beautiful. It’s colourful, vibrant, and fun. That silly Hollywood-esque sign up there? There is actually a lovely forest hike that takes you up the sign and beyond, if you choose. There is even a wee tram that takes you up if you prefer that – but walking is far nicer. Plenty of very lovely Romanian churches abound and the wine is good – especially if you find a nice wine bar (there are several). There’s no shortages of things to do, as long as you don’t mind being around plenty of other European tourists.

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Tip: Skip Brasov’s gimmicky castle and instead include an extra day to your itinerary to head out of your way to visit the mountainous Poenari Castle. Or visit the majestic hilltop Rupea Castle – you’ll likely have it much to yourself.

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Why Else is Romania Cool?

• Fargaras Citadel
• Sibiu
• Sighisoara
• Biertan Village
• Bucharest
• Buchrest’s cool bookshop

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Colourful Streets of Riga, Latvia

Colourful Cobblestone Streets of Riga, Latvia

Though perhaps younger than some of the cities of the Mediterranean, Riga, the capital of Latvia, has over 800 years of history – with most of that history turbulent. Latvia’s location along the Baltic Sea has long made it an important strategical spot for centuries. In the Viking era, the fearsome Scandinavian warriors often came to the Baltics during their annual raids, though the Baltic raids weren’t considered as good as those of England or France. In medieval times, German and Teutonic knights and Swedish kings stamped in and out of Riga and Latvia – really the Baltics in general – taking control of it or simply raiding it in times of need. In more recent times, the Soviets laid claim to this little Baltic nation, in its quest for control over trade and military might in the Baltic Sea. From above, we see a forest of Gothic spires rising above Riga, and below down at street level, we see a beautiful rainbow of bright colours and Art Nouveau façades adorning each street, square and alleyway. Riga is an easy place to wander and explore – Art Nouveau architecture rears up randomly throughout the city, narrow alleys wrap themselves around unique buildings, small streets open up into large squares home to impressive churches, guildhalls, markets, mansions and other magnificent edifices. It is perhaps for this splendid blend of styles, creativity, history and beauty that Riga Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Pro tip: The most famous instance of architecture in Riga is surely the House of the Blackheads, associated with the guilds. Click to learn more about visiting this iconic interior, including hours and admission prices. 

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Other Colourful Streets in Europe

• Sibiu – Romania
• Warsaw – Poland
• Lyon – France
• Poznan – Poland
• Crémieu – France
• Trakai – Lithuania
• Brasov – Romania
• Munich – Germany
• Brunico – Italy
• Copenhagen – Denmark

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Sibiu, Romania

When most people envision European travel itineraries, not many include Romania – a country that gets a bad rep. Though it has one of Europe’s lowest salary averages, it also has one of Europe’s highest economical increases in recent years. It’s taken awhile for Romania to get on its feet, but it was worth the wait! Deep in the Transylvanian woodlands is the beautiful and not-so-famous city of Sibiu. Climb the stairs into the lovely old town of Sibiu, a true masterpiece of medieval marvels with towers, walls and historic houses. Like cities in Poland, Croatia, Lithuania and most other Eastern European countries, Sibiu (and other Romanian cities) is a colourful labyrinth of brightly-painted streets. Like other Transylvanian cities – such as Sighisoara and Brasov – Sibiu packs a bundle. From vast public squares to tiny, hidden-away bookshops, from beautiful church spires to streets lined with nothing but restaurants, Sibiu has something for everyone. Despite being a European Capital of Culture in 2007, Sibiu is still a relatively undiscovered this eastern charm. Originally a Daco-Roman settlement (Dacia was the name of the region before the Romans conquered), Sibiu exploded in size and economy when it as re-founded by the 12th century settlers from Saxony (modern-day Germany), concreting it as one of the most important medieval trade centres in this part of Europe. Later joining the state of Transylvania thanks to the Ottoman Empire, and after WWI, Sibiu once again changed hands – this time to finally become part of modern-day Romania.

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Pro tip: La Taifas restaurant on the main Piata Mare has a nice terrace, great view and they do good food – including nice veggie dishes and delicious spritz, though there are many other restaurants on the smaller streets around the main plaza. 

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Where Else to Visit in the Balkans

• Sighisoara – Romania
• Peles Castle – Romania
• Brasov – Romania
• Split – Croatia
• Dubrovnik – Croatia
• Nuem – Bosnia
• Ohrid – Macedonia
• Skopje – Macedonia

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St Léger, Chambéry, France

Place Saint Léger, Chambéry, France

From farmer’s markets to flea markets, ice cream stands to crêperies, from sunshine to rainy days, Place Saint Léger, tucked within the bright, colourful streets of Chambéry, has seen it all. Chambéry is a small but beautiful French town not far from the Italian border and comfortably snuggled in the foothills of the French Alps. In fact, on a clear day, the Alps are clearly visible; on a rainy day, you may just make out their massive silhouettes in the fog. Chambéry’s air is much cooler and crisper than the air of larger nearby cities like Lyon or Torino. It’s surprisingly colourful here, as if Poland‘s vibrant market squares have been transported to Western Europe and imposed upon a French city. Despite its small size and vaguely-remote location, Chambéry is a bustling mini-metropolis. Street after street exudes colours from their painted facades. Neighbours stop to chat, tourists wander the streets in small groups, cafes fill with patrons. Everywhere, there is an air of tranquility. This is a place where one eats heartily, walks slowly, breathes clearly, and relaxes entirely.

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Pro tip: Looking for something unique? Head to Place des Éléphants to see Chambery’s strange centrepiece: the Elephant Fountain! It is exactly what it sounds like, a fountain made of 4 elephant sculptures. For hikers and outdoor lovers, Chambéry is a good base to explore the western fringes of the Alps and still enjoy the charms of a sizeable city. 

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Other colourful towns in Europe:

• Annecy, France
• Poznan, Poland
• Sighisoara, Romania
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Trakai, Lithuania
• Gdansk, Poland

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This post originally appeared in June 2014. It has since been revised and rewritten. 

Facades in Copenhagen, Denmark

Colourful Facades in Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is not a city that is afraid to be colourful. The Danes regularly rate themselves as one of the happiest populations across the globe, and though you’d have a hard time believing that from a window into Danish daily life or accidentally falling upon a Nordic Noir TV series or film (like The Bridge, The Killing or Borgen), a walk through the bright, clean and colourful streets of Copenhagen should change your mind. Copenhagen is one of Europe’s cleanest cities (an actual fact), and though the Danish capital’s inhabitants may seem somewhat dispassionate at times, their city shows their true colours – literally. Street upon street of vibrant facades traverse the capital, from the imperial King’s Garden to the hippie Christiana to the chic Nyhavn; the city ekes colour and vivacity. The secret to life in Denmark is simplicity – without making a ruckus, the Danes quietly make the most of everything in life. YOLO stands for ‘you only live once’ – but is that true? To quote a line from the novel, the Secret Diary of Hendrick Groen, 83 Years Old: “You only die once but you live everyday.” Instead of going about life with the too-vivid enthusiasm of the Spanish, the fast-paced lifestyle of the Italians or the pompous culinary pride of the French, the Danish prefer to enjoy life’s simple pleasures and daily joys with a subtle but unwavering and unquestioning contentedness – a feat that they do remarkably well. And a feat we could all learn from.

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More Colourful Places in Europe

1. Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark
2. The Berlin Wall, Germany
3. Gdansk, Poland
4. Poznan, Poland 
5. Hundretwasser House, Vienna, Austria

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Annecy, France

Annecy, France

Sometimes called the Venice of France, it is a vibrantly colourful city poised on the edge of Lake Annecy. Once part of the county of Geneva, it became part of the House of Savoy in 1401, which was conquered by France in the infamous Revolution, though it changed hands a few more times before settling down in its current département (county) of Haute-Savoie. Like most of France, it’s drop-dead gorgeous, full of colour, life, and food!