We’re lucky to have some of the world’s most mesmerising, distinctive and vibrant buildings throughout Europe. With architects having been at work for thousands of years, we have a lot to show. And we understand why it’s so tempting to take pictures of these astonishing sights!
Whether it’s a skyscraper, a cathedral with ever so pretty glass-stained windows or even just a tiny, quirky house in the middle of nowhere, the more colourful, the better is our motto!
What are some of the most colourful buildings in Europe to add to your bucket list?
- Gaudí buildings, Barcelona
- St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow
- The Natural History Museum, London
- Muralla Roja, Alicante
- Our Lord In The Attic, Amsterdam
- Harpa Concert Hall, Iceland
Read on to learn more!
Anything by Gaudí, Barcelona
Antoni Gaudí brought vibrancy to a city already rich in architectural heritage. In Barcelona, if you wander along Passeig De Gràcia, you’ll be amazed when you stumble upon not one, but two of these works, both on the same road – Casa Batlló and Casa Milá.
These two buildings have rooftops and surfaces decorated with multi-colours. His other works include ‘La Sagrada Familia’, an unfinished Basilica, but well underway. A bit further out of Barcelona’s city centre, you’ll find Park Güell, a very large park that Gaudí helped create.
St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow
St Basil’s is a symbol of Russia itself. The colours reflecting off its iconic roofing have been captured in paintings and photographs for centuries.
It’s also the centre of many bizarre and fascinating stories that blend history with legend. Tsar Ivan the Terrible ordered it to be built following his victory against the Kazan Khanate in 1555, and it was completed by 1561.
There are ten domes in total, all unique in their own right, and they look like something out of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It’s said that St Basil’s has more names than it does onion domes and that Ivan blinded its architect after its completion.
The Natural History Museum, London
We love the beautiful Hintz Hall that houses London’s Natural History Museum. The sapphire blue details match so perfectly with the yellow brickwork in a way that expresses the grandeur captured by the famous London museum itself.
Before heading straight for the dinosaur exhibit, take some time in this magnificent architectural work. And don’t forget, it looks just as beautiful on the outside as it does on the inside.
Muralla Roja, Alicante
Ricardo Bofill designed a diverse range of buildings with his own distinctive style. One of his most famous is one admired greatly by Instagrammers for its clever use of the colour pink.
Muralla Roja was built in 1968 in Calp, Alicante, as a postmodern set of flats, all of which are individual in their own ways. Nowadays, though many occupy the apartments, tenants can expect visitors throughout the year who take photos of the fascinating building. (By the way, wouldn’t this building structure remind you of a world-famous Netflix show?)
Our Lord In The Attic, Amsterdam
Tucked away in the middle of the city centre of Amsterdam, you’ll find this church/museum and tiny canal house, Our Lord in the Attic, which is slightly different from your everyday church.
This building looks like any old house, but as you enter, you’re faced with a bright pink tinge that surrounds the building. Even the altar is pink. For a change from the classic Amsterdam trip, visit this mysterious place with exceptional interiors. They even decided to build a museum within!
Harpa Concert Hall, Iceland
If you’re ever in Iceland or Scandinavia, there are lots of sights to see out in nature, including the Northern lights, geysers, glaciers and wild animals. However, in some places, man’s achievements are equally impressive.
The Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavík is a piece of architectural grandeur that literally reflects colour on the water. It’s made of glass with a honeycomb effect and is visited by many each year for the music and gorgeous views.
If you’d like to see some of London’s most stunning buildings in person, make sure you check out our day tours of the city’s key sites. You’ll get to see the best of the capital, including crucial sites like St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. Our London in one day tour hits them all in one go.
