The world’s 50 most beautiful cities, ranked by travel experts

“If you want to steep yourself in old-world history, historical and religious icons, tales that can rarely be found anywhere else on the planet, and culture mixed with the convenience of modern hotels, restaurants and more, Jerusalem is for you,” says travel writer Michelle Sutter. “To this day, it has been my favourite place in the world to visit. I was immersed in stunning and iconic historical landmarks combined with colourful and intriguing outdoor markets and some of the most amazing food I’ve ever eaten. It’s one of the cities I never knew I would love so much until I went there.” If you still need a little convincing to visit this ancient city steeped in religion, there’s always the Wailing Wall in the Jewish Quarter, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Christian Quarter, and the Dome of the Rock in the Muslim Quarter.

It may be the capital of Scotland, but Edinburgh also happens to be the City of Literature. Novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott was born here, JK Rowling used the city to inspire her Harry Potter series, and the author of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, also hails from Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle, which sits atop Castle Rock, dominates the city’s skyline and houses the Crown Jewels (the oldest in Britain) and the Stone of Destiny (used for centuries in the inauguration of kings). Next, walk along Royal Mile, from the Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which is the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. And, of course, be sure to stop by the Scotch Whisky Experience for a wee taste of the good stuff.

Here are some of the spookiest travel destinations in the world.

If you enjoy spending time at high elevation, the capital city of Ecuador is calling your name. It sits more than 2700m high and is the second-highest capital city in the world (first place goes to La Paz, Bolivia). Start by exploring Quito Old Town, the city’s historic district, and then make your way to the Church of the Society of Jesus (known as the Church of la Compañía de Jesus). Prepare to be absolutely wowed by this 16th-century marvel, as it’s completely covered in gold – yes, we’re talking beauty in the form of gold leaf, gilded plaster and wood carvings, and golden domes. For a little fun with geography, stop by La Mitad del Mundo and stand with one foot in the northern hemisphere and the other foot in the southern hemisphere.

“A lakeside Swiss city recognised as providing a high quality of life for its residents, Zurich offers easy access to the nearby Alps, abundant culture and world-class shopping along the exclusive Bahnhofstrasse,” says Nancy Besharah of Luxe Travel Family. You heard right – the Bahnhofstrasse is one of the most expensive and exclusive shopping avenues in the world, so this is the place to window-shop to your heart’s content. Once you’ve run out of money, get yourself to the top of the Uetliberg mountain, where you’ll enjoy incredible views of the city, the lake, and the Alps from the lookout tower.

Another city with incredibly high elevation (3414 metres) is Cusco, so you may experience a little altitude sickness visiting this beautiful Peruvian town. Thankfully, nearly every hotel offers travellers coca tea, which can help diminish symptoms and allow you to explore Cusco’s incredible sights. The first is Qorikancha, the most important temple in the Inca Empire and an impressive example of Incan and Hispanic cultures melding together. San Blas is another must-see, a trendy neighbourhood of narrow streets lined with authentic boutiques. Here, you’ll find Peruvians making and selling their alpaca sweaters and hats, plus some great markets and coffee shops. And if you’re itching to climb Machu Picchu, then Cusco is the place to fly into.

You don’t have to go to Moscow to get a taste of Russia. Instead, start with the country’s second-largest city, St Petersburg. The most picturesque church in the city is the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood, which features mainly Baroque and Neoclassical architecture styles and more than 7,500 square metres of colourful mosaics covering the facade and interior. St Isaac’s Cathedral, the fourth-largest domed cathedral on the planet, is a large Russian Orthodox museum that only holds services on significant holidays. Climb the 300 steps to the observation walkway to enjoy beautiful city views. And if museums are your thing, check out the State Heritage Museum, the second-largest art museum in the world, where it would literally take days to see everything!

These are some of the most magical places to experience a winter Christmas.

A lot has changed in Berlin over the last 30 years since the wall came down, so it’s important to spend time exploring some of the cultural sights. The Holocaust Memorial is a moving experience, the East Side Gallery is an open-air section of the Berlin Wall in which murals are painted, and the Brandenburg Gate is a grand classical archway that served as the city divide but today is a symbol of the country’s reunification. Situated just north of the Brandenburg Gate is the Reichstag Building, which houses the German Parliament. Step inside the glass dome at the very top, as it has a 360-degree view of the Berlin cityscape.

“With its many charming lakes peopled with locals doing Tai Chi and just enjoying the surroundings, a delightful blend of French and Vietnamese architecture, delicious restaurants, and an intriguing old quarter, Hanoi, although changing fast, is one of the few really beautiful Southeast Asian cities,” states Toni Neubauer of Myths and Mountains. You’ll have no shortage of Buddhist temples to visit, including the Perfume Pagoda, which was built into the limestone Huong Tich mountains. For a truly authentic experience, enjoy traditional water puppetry at the world-famous Thang Long Puppet theatre, accompanied by a Vietnamese orchestra.

Do you crave adventure? Do you love feeling the rush of adrenaline? Then pack your bags and head straight for Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World. From white-water rafting adventures and jet boating to bungee jumping and paragliding, Queenstown has it all – and often with beautiful backdrops of mountain ranges and lakes. For a calmer experience, take the Skyline Gondola high above the city for unparalleled views, or spend a day at Queenstown Beach and Queenstown Gardens. Winery tours are another wonderful way to pass the time. And don’t forget to look around when landing at Queenstown Airport, one of the most beautiful airport landings in the world, where you can see the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu.

One of the most beautiful things about San Miguel de Allende, located about 280km northwest of Mexico City, is its foodie culture. You can literally eat your way through the city, dining on cochinita pibil (a slow-roasted Mexican pork dish that marinates meat in citrus juice), pozole (a stew made from hominy and pork), gorditas (a pastry made with corn and stuffed with cheese, meat and other fillings), and, of course, tapas. If you aren’t a foodie, and even if you are, make time to stop by the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, a neo-Gothic Catholic church with a turreted pink facade.