Which American staircases make our list of the world's most beautiful?

Stairways to heaven

Staircases don’t have to be purely practical – they can look sensational too. From ancient steps carved into rock and uber-modern flights pushing the boundaries of design, we take a look at some of the world’s most beautiful stairways, almost all of which you can scale for yourself if you’re able. Some are free to access, while others require an entrance fee.

Click through the gallery to discover the world’s greatest staircases that go to the next level…

St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London, England, UK

Built in the mid-19th century as the Midland Grand Hotel, London’s St Pancras Renaissance Hotel is a love letter to the Golden Age of rail travel. Venture behind its imposing Gothic Revival facade and discover the piece de resistance of the hotel’s design, a sweeping Victorian staircase. Its wide aisles were originally intended for women in crinoline dresses to be able to pass one another, but were equally effective for ladies in the 1990s to dance on – pop icons the Spice Girls filmed the Wannabe music video on these stairs in 1996.

Barneys Downtown, New York City, New York, USA

This ice-cool spiral staircase is not only a striking architectural feature, but a gateway to shoppers’ paradise. It is the centerpiece of the Barneys New York flagship department store, which occupies the same downtown address that the high-end retailer first opened in 1923. The modern marble flight pays homage to the old Andree Putman-designed staircase that dominated the space in the 80s and 90s, and acts as a sort of runway for the store’s chic clientele as they float between floors.

Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar

Designed by world-renowned architect I.M Pei – the man behind the Louvre Museum’s glass pyramid in Paris, Doha’s waterfront Museum of Islamic Art holds 1,300 years’ worth of ceramics, textiles, woodwork and more. But the staircase leading to its upper galleries is something of a work of art in itself; carved on the underside to create an optical illusion, it splits into two flights whose curved shape is mirrored by the grand metal chandelier suspended above.

San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, near Bermeo, Spain

Game of Thrones fans may recognize this zigzagging stairway as the entrance to the fictional fortress of Dragonstone. But we assure you it is very real, located on the small island of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in the Spanish Basque Country. The cone-shaped islet is crowned with a monastery dedicated to St John the Baptist, which stands 150 meters (492ft) above the Bay of Biscay below. It’s free to enter (closed in winter); the only price you have to pay is climbing the 241 steps to the top.

Melk Abbey, Melk, Austria

Part of the UNESCO-inscribed Wachau Cultural Landscape, Melk Abbey was founded by Benedictine monks in the late 11th century. An impressive smudge of ochre and terracotta looming above its namesake city and the Danube Valley, the abbey is even more remarkable inside. One of the highlights is this beautiful Baroque spiral staircase; a perfect swirl of rose and gold details that resemble the grooves of a conch shell. It connects the library (another unmissable sight) to the abbey church.

El Pailon del Diablo, near Banos, Ecuador

Also known as the Devil’s Cauldron, this majestic waterfall almost appears to smoke as it crashes into a canyon among the cloud forests of central Ecuador. Visitors not afraid of getting a bit wet can brave a system of rock-hewn, slippery steps that descend into the gorge alongside the cascade, where a number of viewing balconies at different heights offer awesome perspectives. Pack your waterproofs (and your camera) for this one.

Livraria Lello, Porto, Portugal

Livraria Lello is often called the prettiest bookstore in the world, due in no small part to its crimson staircase. For over a century the neo-Gothic building has welcomed bookworms, though those queuing for a peek inside nowadays are more interested in a selfie with this famous flight than in picking up a new novel. The emblematic steps haven’t always been red – they were brown until 1993. For a few months in 2021, they were even painted yellow and gray to celebrate the Pantone colors of the year.

Sigiriya, near Dambulla, Sri Lanka

The ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya sits atop a hulking monolithic pillar nearly 200 meters (656ft) above the forest floor. Some 1,200 steps wrap around the limestone column, often called Lion Rock owing to the two giant paws that mark the last section of the climb (pictured). It takes around two hours to reach the summit; your rewards for the moderately difficult ascent being the views and the amazing 1,600-year-old frescoes you’ll see painted onto the rock on your way up. Climb early to beat the heat.

Chand Baori, Abhaneri, India

The state of Rajasthan isn’t short of incredible sights, from the pink palaces of Jaipur to the blue streets of Jodhpur. One of its most unique is the stepwell of Chand Baori, built for King Chand Raja in the 8th and 9th centuries to harvest water during the monsoon rains and keep it accessible year-round. Intricately carved balconies and around 3,500 steps designed in geometric patterns decorate the interior of the well, which plunges down 13 levels to the surface of the storage pool.

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Escadaria Selaron, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Covered in more than 2,000 individual mosaic tiles, this vibrant set of steps was lovingly created by the Chilean artist Jorge Selaron, in tribute to his adopted home of Rio de Janeiro. Found between the neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa, Selaron began renovating the 200-plus steps across from his house in 1990 and was donated ceramic tiles from at least 60 different countries by fans of the ongoing project. Despite having mostly decorated the flight by the turn of the millennium, the artist said the work was "never complete."

Rector’s Palace, Dubrovnik, Croatia

In 1667, the worst natural disaster in Dubrovnik’s history caused untold damage to the Dalmatian city. A major earthquake triggered rockslides, fires and a tsunami, which together decimated the port and many of its medieval buildings. One of the damaged structures was the Rector’s Palace, originally built in the 12th century. In the aftermath of the quake, the palace’s atrium was partially reconstructed with this romantic Baroque staircase added to the inner courtyard, from where it rises to a mezzanine gallery.

Spanish Steps, Rome, Italy

This monumental staircase, completed in 1725, connects Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Square) to the Trinita dei Monti Church, sitting atop Pincian Hill above the square. The 135 steps were built to improve access between the church and the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, which was once located on Piazza di Spagna. Today they are one of the most photographed landmarks in Rome. Whatever you do, don’t pause to sit down on your way up these precious UNESCO-protected steps – you could be fined at least €250 ($271).

Momo Staircase, Vatican Museums, Vatican City

The smallest sovereign state in the world has always made a big impression, from the stunning ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to the opulent lines of St Peter’s Basilica. But these aren’t the only architectural marvels in the Holy See. The Momo Staircase, sometimes called the Spiral Staircase, transports visitors from street level into the Vatican Museums. Designed by visionary Italian architect Guiseppe Momo in 1932, the double helix staircase resembles a twisted strand of DNA, with two intertwined spirals snaking off in opposite directions.

Palais Garnier, Paris, France

Home to the Opera National de Paris, the Palais Garnier was named after the man who designed it, Charles Garnier. Completed in 1875, it is easily one of the most beautiful buildings in the City of Lights. And just as dramatic as any opera ever staged there is the shining marble staircase that soars from its entrance foyer and tumbles down into the bowels of the theater. Lit by majestic candelabras, the satisfyingly symmetrical steps begin as one stairway, before splitting in two to direct the stream of audience members.

Tiger & Turtle – Magic Mountain, Duisburg, Germany

From the curves and bends of this quirky, walkable ‘roller coaster,’ you can see for miles across the German countryside and even as far as Dusseldorf on a clear day. Created in 2011 by artists Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth, the 249-step sculpture is made of salvaged zinc and steel that lights up after dark with 880 twinkling LEDs. While it’s not possible to defy gravity and scale the installation’s loop-the-loop (that section is closed off), climbing this unusual staircase is no less fun.

Batu Caves, near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Just outside the Malaysian capital, guarded by the world’s tallest statue of Murugan (the Hindu god of war), is a staircase leading to the sacred shrines of Batu Caves. Painted Easter-egg hues since 2018, these 272 steps echo the colors of the gateways that sit at the foot and the top of them, welcoming pilgrims and tourists to the popular site. Once you’ve conquered the vertiginous flight of stairs (dodging cheeky macaques along the way), you’ll find a complex of temples housed in limestone grottoes.

National Library of Latvia, Riga, Latvia

Before the current home of the National Library of Latvia opened in 2014, its collections had made use of around 30 different buildings since 1919. Its exterior, resembling a glass mountain, is said to evoke the Latvian legend of the Castle of Light (the pinnacle of wisdom), while its interior is a sanctuary of quiet corners. Its central atrium is dominated by this towering staircase, which is both utilitarian and symbolic. It runs parallel to a multi-story display of books donated by the Latvian people.

Tulip Stairs, London, England, UK

The Tulip Stairs are located in the Queen’s House, a villa built for Anne of Denmark in Greenwich, southeast London during the 17th century. Sadly Anne, wife of King James I, passed away before its completion and never got to enjoy it. This staircase – the first geometric self-supporting spiral stair in Britain – is one of the Queen House’s original features. Named for the wrought-iron floral patterns on the blue balustrade, the Tulip Stairs are thought to be haunted; a famous photograph from 1966 shows a 'ghost' ascending them.

Piedra del Penon, Guatape, Colombia

Also referred to as El Penon de Guatape or El Penol, this granite monolith stands at around 220 meters (722ft) high. Once worshipped by the Indigenous Tahami peoples, it’s thought to have been climbed for the first time in 1954, by a group of friends using wooden planks wedged into the cracks in the stone. Since then, around 740 steps have been installed up the side of the rock – praying to the Virgin Mary’s shrine at the halfway point might help you through the last leg of the climb.

Allan Slaight and Emmanuelle Gattuso Spiral Staircase, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Designed by Canadian-born architect Frank Gehry, the Allan Slaight and Emmanuelle Gattuso Spiral Staircase is the focal point of Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Named after two of the AGO’s most valued patrons, the Douglas-fir-clad sculptural masterpiece overlooks the gallery’s main courtyard and appears to disappear into the sky through the building’s glass ceiling. The 138-step staircase narrows in places, which Gehry hoped might result in strangers serendipitously bumping shoulders and perhaps falling in love.

Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte, Braga, Portugal

Demonstrating religious devotion through the act of pilgrimage dates back several centuries, as does the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte. Located on the fringes of Braga, the church was built between 1784 and 1811. It lies at the end of 577 arduous steps, partly comprising the lauded ‘Stairway of the Five Senses.’ Bom Jesus means ‘good Jesus’ – fittingly, the words you may well be gasping when you eventually reach the top (on foot or knee, the latter being most traditional). Fortunately there’s a funicular for the journey back down.

Umschreibung, Munich, Germany

This mind-boggling stairway to nowhere was created by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson in 2004. Hidden in an unlikely spot – surrounded by corporate buildings in Munich’s Schwanthalerhohe neighborhood, the endless double helix sculpture’s name translates to 'circumscription' or 'periphrasis,' meaning movement without a destination. While you can walk right up to Umschreibung to admire it and snap a photo, it’s not possible to climb it for yourself at this time.

Tianmen Cave, near Zhangjiajie, China

It’s not hard to understand why this natural wonder is also known as Heaven’s Door or Heaven’s Gate. Carved out of Tianmen Mountain by gradual water erosion, this vast hole in the cliff face is like a portal into the clouds, and supposedly the highest naturally formed arch in the world. It’s a tough climb to the opening that can take around half an hour to complete. There are 999 steps in total; nine is deemed lucky in Chinese numerology, associated with good fortune and longevity.

Scala Contarini del Bovolo, Venice, Italy

Raveling up the facade of a fine palazzo once belonging to the Contarinis, a founding family of Venice, this late 15th-century cylindrical tower houses a spiral staircase designed by an architect whose identity has been lost to history. In the Venetian dialect, del Bovolo means ‘of the snail’ and refers to the shape of the stairwell, which was unique for its time. Eighty stone steps climb counter-clockwise up the tower, finishing at a terrace that stands above the charming rooftops of the Floating City.

16th Avenue Tiled Steps, San Francisco, California, USA

This stairway in the quiet residential neighborhood of Golden Gate Heights tells a heartwarming story of togetherness. Across each of its 163 steps are the same number of mosaic panels, which follow a sea-to-sky theme depicting intricate images of the sun, stars and marine life. The idea for the tiled stairs was borne out of a grassroots project to connect members of the local community through creativity. Many of them helped hand-make the colorful panels or sponsored named tiles as a means of funding the project.

Harpa, Reykjavik, Iceland

Since opening in 2011, the Harpa concert hall and conference center has welcomed millions of visitors who are just as enthralled by its architecture as they are by its event program. The hexagonal panels of colored glass that create the venue’s iconic shape are a nod to the prismatic hues of the Northern Lights and to the basalt columns seen along Iceland’s volcanic coastline. Study them more closely from the building’s interior staircase, a brooding strip of gray slicing diagonally through the atrium.

Little Petra, near Wadi Musa, Jordan

Little Petra is also known as Siq al-Barid, meaning ‘cold canyon’ – due to high walls blocking the warmth of the sun. Like its big sister, Little Petra dates back to the Nabatean Kingdom of ancient Arabia; many of its structures are cut from the pink sandstone cliffs and are remnants from the 1st century AD. If you’re doing the backdoor hike to Petra proper, the route starts in Little Petra, so set aside some time to explore the many time-worn stairways that lead to secret viewpoints. Traveling with a local guide will help you find them safely.

Utah State Capitol, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Utah became the 45th state in the union in 1896, but it took over a century of planning, thoughtful design, hard labor and sympathetic renovation to fully realize the State Capitol as it stands today. Only considered complete after renovations in 2008 – after first being commissioned in 1909, the neoclassical building is now open for tours as well as for official business. Visitors will have the opportunity to see these twin marble staircases for themselves, which mirror one another from the ends of the east and west atriums.

La Muralla Roja, Calpe, Spain

While it might look like the foreboding staircase from Squid Game, this design gem is a long way from South Korea. Said to have inspired the puzzle-like stairs from the hit Netflix series, they actually belong to an apartment block in the Alicante region of Spain called La Muralla Roja. The complex was originally built as a social housing project by architectural luminary Ricardo Bofill, but as of 2022 some of the units can be rented on Airbnb.

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