Top 10 Best Cities to Witness Amazing Architecture Around the World

More than 55% of the total world population resides in cities. By 2050, the number is expected to increase by 11%. People consider many things when deciding which city to reside on, or which one to visit. These include food, shopping options, and infrastructure. But nothing defines a place more than its architecture.

Cities with distinct architectural features draw many travelers. Great architecture is scientific and artistic, practical, and beautiful. A beautiful architecture gives us cultural clues about the past, present, and the future of the city. Significant architectural advancements do not only show improvement in technology but also challenge the architects to compete amongst themselves. The competition leads to the creation of more creative and efficient structures.

We have selected a handful of the best cities which have developed a notable reputation for their architectural styles. If you are a traveling enthusiast, you should include these ten beautiful cities on your travel list.

Chicago, USA

Chicago is internationally renowned for its abundant remarkable features. It, however, gets more credit for the invention of the famous skyscraper. It established the first skyscraper in 1885. Since then, the culture of skyscrapers has continued, and the city now houses many skyscrapers. Other buildings which contribute to the identity of Chicago city are Willis tower and Aqua.

Willis Tower is an iconic building formerly known as the Sears Tower. The 1,450-foot tower includes a glass skylight, food hall, and a rooftop green space. Aqua is a relatively new tower completed in 2009. Other notable buildings in Chicago consist of the Tribune Power, Marina City, the Wrigley Building, and the Merchandise Mart.

Dubai, United Emirates

Dubai is a luxurious business center which attracts millions of visitors each year. In 2018, the city received 16 million visitors. Dubai has transformed its skyline with great architecture, and has enhanced its popularity. The city houses the world’s tallest buildings, the biggest shopping malls, and many hotels. For instance, the most significant 7-star hotel, Burj Al Arab, is located in Dubai.

Burj Al Arab features an underwater restaurant and other outdoor recreational activities. It has a fantastic exterior design which resembles an Arabian dhow ship. The Infinity Tower is another iconic architecture in Dubai. It has a unique 90 degrees twist which contributes to its uniqueness.

We cannot end our list without mentioning the largest shopping center in the world, the Dubai Mall. It houses more than 1200 retail stores and attracts close to 800,000 visitors every week. Other impressive Dubai buildings include the Dubai fountain, Jumeirah beach hotel, and much more.

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is found on both Asia and Europe. Most citizens practice Islam, although the city claims Jewish and Christian communities. As such, Istanbul is a cultural melting pot whose architectural designs live up to the reputation. Visitors to Istanbul can find more than 100 churches, 20 synagogues, and 2000 mosques. The city used to serve as the capital for the Romans and Ottomans.

Now that the city has been made the capital of Turkey, new architectural layers have been made on top of the old monuments. Istanbul also features the famous Hagia Sophia museum. The iconic building was once a church and a mosque. It has a beautiful umbrella shape which attracts many travelers.  Also, its light shines through windows from all directions, thus giving the impression that the dome is hovering.

Mumbai, India

Mumbai is the largest commercial center in India. It is also the capital of India. With thousands of high rise buildings, Mumbai hosts the most iconic skylines ever seen in the world. Some of the best architectures in Mumbai are the Palais Royale and One Avighna Park. Palais Royale is a ultra-modern building with 88 floors and a height of 320 meters. The building boasts of various recreational features such as cricket pitch, swimming pools, and cinemas.

One Avighna Park is a beautiful building which offers multiple residential places. It has also won several awards due to its uniqueness. Other notable buildings in Mumbai include Ahuja Towers, Indian Bulls’ Sky, Lodha, and Lodha Venezia.

Rome, Italy

Roman engineering and architecture are among the most lauded in the world. From the renowned monuments and attractions to the current conceptual designs, Rome houses many interesting building designs. The most impressive buildings in Rome include the Colosseum. Formerly known as the Flavian amphitheater, Colosseum is the largest amphitheater ever built. It contains theatrical productions, executions, and animal hunts.

Another magnificent monument is the St.Peter’s Basilica, which remains supreme among more than 900 churches in the city. St Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in Italy, and it attracts faithfull from all parts of the world. Other significant buildings include Teatro Marcello, Ara Paci’s Museums, Maxxi, and much more.

Miami, U.S.

Miami is a ultra-modern tourist destination. It has many beautiful buildings which include hotels and museums. Most of them have historical significance, although some of them serve the practical uses of the city. The number one architecture in Miami is the Freedom Tower. It is an ancient building constructed in the 1960s. It was used as a Cuban assistance center to help refugees who sought political asylum.

Today, the building stands on a beautiful monument which shows the great heritage. Other impressive buildings include the Perez Art Museum Miami, Fontainebleau Hotel, Biltmore Hotel, and much more.

Beijing, China

Beijing is home to both the traditional and contemporary buildings. The conventional architecture reflects the Chinese beliefs and symmetry ethics. Such buildings give attention to the decorative details, and most of them are built outwards (not upwards). Up until about 25 years ago, most Chinese buildings were concrete squares without any architectural ingenuity. However, things have now changed, and most modern Chinese buildings now have some foreign designs.

The most striking architectural designs in Beijing are Star Trek Enterprise Building, the Piano House, the Lotus Building, and the Ring of Life. The Beijing Tianzi Hotel is also a fantastic structure featuring three giants’ figures. You can’t afford to miss this when you visit Beijing. We cannot end our list without mentioning the Great Wall of China! It is an expansive wall which extends to more than 9000 kilometers. The wall is more than 2000 years old.

Washington, DC

The nation’s capital houses the most significant architectural monuments and landmarks in the United States. The most obvious ones are the White House, the Treasury Building, the United States Capitol Building, and the Washington Monument. The Washington national cathedral is another large and historic church which attracts many people to the city. It is considered the second largest in the United States. The church became famous after hosting Martin Luther King’s final Sunday sermon and some presidential funerals.

Other iconic buildings include the breathtaking Lincoln Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr Memorial, World War II Memorial, and much more. Washington is a vibrant urban center with very many iconic buildings. It is almost impossible to narrow them to less than 25. Visit the city today and see much more. Most of the cities were constructed during ancient times. They, however, attract people due to their cultural significance.

New York, NY

New York City features more than 6,486 high rise buildings, while others are still under construction. The old monuments are also under rejuvenation to convert them into ultra-modern houses. Most of them use modern finishes from window companies. From art museums to skyscrapers, New York City hosts buildings of all kinds. It has very many landmarks, making it impossible to keep track of them all.

One of the most significant buildings in New York is One World Trade Center. One World Trade Center is a 104 story building considered to be the tallest in the United States. Other famous architectural pieces include the U.N. headquarters building, the Century and the McGraw Hill building. Others include the New York City Hall, Seagram building, Lever House, and 100 Eleventh Avenue.

Brasilia, Brazil

Brasilia is a famous destination for many travelers. It is particularly renowned for people who wish to have the right mix of culture and fun in a modern setting. When Juscelino Kubitschek was selected to be Brazilian president in 1956, he planned to build a modern city in the middle of the country. Thus, that’s how Brasilia was born. After a few months, new government buildings and commercial and residential houses were constructed, giving the country a modern look. Most of the buildings were built using glass and concrete.

Up to date, those buildings exist; although thousands of other modern buildings have also been put up in place. The most amazing ones include Itamaraty palace, Congresso Nacional, Templo da Boa Vontade, and Museu Nacional.

The List of Best Cities Is Endless

Many cities in the world have advanced their architectural designs, and thus the list is endless. However, the ten best cities discussed here top the list. The cities are renowned for various reasons. For instance, it can be due to historical significance, due to their architectural charm, or even both.

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