These Are 13 of the Most Colourful Cities in the World

Sh*t’s about to get real bleak out here.

For all the wonders of winter in Canada, we’d be shocked to find someone enthused by the five-month greyscale that’s about to wash over our cities. Sure, we can handle snow and the odd deep freeze, but to hell with gravel-crusted snowbanks and slushscapes as far as the eye can see.

There’s only one remedy, really: colour. And lots of it.

Here are 13 colourful cities where you’ll find it in abundance … should you choose to take off for a week or two before you and Liam Neeson start fighting wolves together.

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1. Havana, Cuba
You’ve still got a few years before the Cuban capital is officially “over.”

8570374526_b76c2c7e7b_k

Andrzej Wrotek/Flickr

 

2. Chefchaouen, Morocco
Ok, so the whole city looks like ice. What’s important, though, is that it’s not ice.

Mark Fischer/Flickr

Mark Fischer/Flickr

3. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is an amazing winter getaway for a million different reasons. All of them involve a splash of pastel. 

Sharon Hahn Darlin/Flickr

Sharon Hahn Darlin/Flickr

4. Cinque Terre, Italy
We know it’s already on your bucket list.

Brian Stacey/Flickr

Brian Stacey/Flickr

5. San Francisco, California
If you’re going to San Francisco… do it before the year’s first polar vortex hits us. 

Mrs Airwolfhound/Flickr

Mrs Airwolfhound/Flickr

6. Burano, Italy
Like nearby Venice, only more colourful.

Roman Pfeiffer/Flickr

Roman Pfeiffer/Flickr

7. Jaipur, India
The city was once entirely doused in very weather-resistant pink to welcome a prince.

Russ Bowling/Flickr

Russ Bowling/Flickr

8. Wroclaw, Poland
Ok, so it’s not the best hottest winter spot. Those Christmas markets, though…

Emmanuel DYAN/Flickr

Emmanuel DYAN/Flickr

9. Menton, France
Do you ever really need an excuse for a trip to the Cote d’Azur?

Daniel70mi/Flickr

Daniel70mi/Flickr

10. Cape Town, South Africa
Next week’s temperatures: 26, 28, 26, 26, 27…

Clint Mason/Flickr

Clint Mason/Flickr

11. Buenos Aires, Argentina
The whole city’s filled with retina-bursting hues, but the La Boca neighbourhood is especially bright.

Gisela Glardino

Gisela Glardino/Flickr

12. St. John’s, Newfoundland
Remember: you’re here for the colourful buildings, not the weather.

Kenny Louie/Flickr

Kenny Louie/Flickr

13. Valparaiso, Chile
Ocean: check. Mountains: check. Close to the airport: check.

Sharon Hahn Darlin/Flickr

Sharon Hahn Darlin/Flickr

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