The world's most wonderful historic streets, ranked

A walk to remember

Whether famous for colorful houses or their historical significance, these streets have one thing in common: you'll want to wander down all of them. From stunning carpet-lined passageways (pictured) to boulevards with a tale to tell, we take a look at the world's most beautiful and historic streets.

Click through to see how our well-traveled editorial team have (subjectively) ranked 33 of these urban wonders...

If sidewalks could talk, the ones on 25th Street in Ogden, Utah, would have a song to sing. Between 1869 and the early 1950s, the street was rife with gambling, narcotics, prostitution, robbery, and murder. So infamous was the place that notorious gangster Al Capone is alleged to have said it was "too wild" even for him. 

Things are very different these days. Watched over by the historic Union Station sign at one end and idyllic mountain terrain at the other, Ogden's main street is now home to top restaurants, trendy pubs, and bars, lovely independent shops, and a thriving creative scene boasting must-visit art galleries.

32. Abbey Road, London, England, UK

An unassuming road in Camden, north London, Abbey Road might seem like any other street in this sprawling city. However, it's exactly here that on August 8, 1969, at 11:35am The Beatles and photographer Iain Macmillan had only 10 minutes to create the legendary image of the band crossing the road.

Macmillan took six photographs, one of which ended up as the cover of the 1969 album Abbey Road – an homage to the Abbey Road Studios, where the album was recorded.

31. Heerstraße, Bonn, Germany

For much of the year this street in the German city of Bonn is just a pretty cobbled residential road – however, come here during the Kirschblütenfest (the Cherry Blossom Festival) and you'll be greeted by an incredibly beautiful cherry blossom display. The locals take the festival very seriously and you'll find live music events, countless food stalls, and pretty lights illuminating the trees.

30. Christmas Steps, Bristol, England, UK

A medieval shopping lane dating back to the 1600s, Bristol's Christmas Steps is one of the few areas in the city that survived the notorious bombing raids during the Blitz. The original steps were constructed in 1669, however, today only four flights of steps (from 1865 and 1881) remain.

Home to a variety of unique shops and art galleries, Christmas Steps is part of the Christmas Steps Art Quarter that has its own theater, museum and several pubs, cafés, and restaurants.

29. Rue du Petit-Champlain, Québec City, Canada

Although Québec City isn't short of romantic streets, Rue du Petit-Champlain has to be the prettiest, especially come Christmastime when it's generally covered in snow. One of the oldest commercial streets in North America, it's now a pedestrian-only boulevard located at the foot of the cliff below the Château Frontenac. 

Named after Samuel de Champlain, who founded Québec City in 1608, the charming street is home to boutique shops and family-owned restaurants, many of which have been here for decades.

28. Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

An American icon, the three blocks of Beale Street in downtown Memphis are synonymous with music. This is where blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll, country, and R&B come together, and where some of the most famous names in music history have performed.

Walking down Beale Street you'll hear music spilling out of the countless clubs, music bars, and restaurants, and see visitors posing for photos near the arching blue sign that marks the start of the street.

27. Steiner Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Fans of American family comedy Full House, or the brilliant Mrs. Doubtfire starring Robin Williams, will recognize this stretch of road in San Francisco as the location of the family home in both. It's also host to some of the most famous painted ladies in America.

A row of American Victorian houses, the Painted Ladies were finished in bright colors in order to enhance their architectural details.

26. Times Square, New York City, New York, USA

One of New York City's top tourist attractions, Times Square is where Broadway crosses over the intersection of 7th Avenue and W 45th Street. A totally bonkers display of flashing lights, huge screens, and signs illuminate this stretch of road at night – however, it hasn't always been like this.

In the 19th century the area was the center of New York City's horse carriage industry, until the first electrified advert appeared in 1904, just three weeks after the area was renamed Times Square.

25. Calle Ciegos, Jerez, Spain

Found at Bodega Tio Pepe in the Andalusian city of Jerez, Calle Ciegos is instantly recognizable thanks to the thick grapevines that have grown to create a roof over the street. Best known as Spain's top sherry producer, Jerez celebrates its wine heritage during the harvest in September, which is also the best time to see Calle Ciegos.

Celebrations pay tribute to three culturally significant aspects of Jerez – wine, horses, and flamenco. Expect to see grape stomping, flamenco shows, and horse parades, and experience endless wine tastings.

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24. Streets of Chefchaouen, Morocco

Located in the Rif mountains in northwest Morocco, the hilltop town of Chefchaouen has long been famous for its bright blue streets. Although it's not entirely clear why the whole town is painted blue, many believe the color was introduced by Spanish Jews who settled here after the Spanish Reconquista in medieval times.

The Blue Pearl, as it's otherwise known, is one of the most charming destinations in Morocco and its winding, blindingly blue streets are only made prettier by local sellers displaying their colorful handicrafts. 

23. Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris, France

Thought to be visited by around 300,000 people every day, the Avenue des Champs-Élysées is, quite simply, picture perfect. Just over 1.2 miles long, it's a straight tree-lined avenue, connecting two of Paris' main attractions: Place de la Concorde and the Arc de Triomphe.

The avenue, affectionately called Les Champs by locals, is home to some of the most exclusive designer stores in the city, as well as the famous Ladurée patisserie.

22. Fiskargränd, Visby, Sweden

Nestled on the Swedish island of Gotland, the remote Viking town of Visby is the island's largest settlement. The walled town is a center for art, theater, and classical music and is known for its own specialty cuisine that makes prominent use of saffron.

To see one of the most charming parts of town, head to Fiskargränd (Fisherman's Alley), a narrow, cobbled lane in the north.

21. Nathan Road, Hong Kong

No visit to Hong Kong is complete without a walk along its most popular street: Nathan Road. Often called The Golden Mile, it runs from close to Victoria Harbour to Prince Edward and Sham Shui Po and is instantly recognizable thanks to the abundance of neon signs. Littered with mega malls, shops, cafés, and restaurants, it's also one of the top places in Hong Kong to sample the local cuisine.

20. Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark

One of Copenhagen's prettiest spots, Nyhavn is a 17th-century waterfront, with colorful 17th- and 18th-century townhouses rising either side of the boats and yachts docked in the canal. Make like the locals and sit down for a leisurely drink at one of the many cafés spilling out onto the streets on both sides of the canal, or visit around Christmastime for a magical Christmas light display.

19. Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem

Believed to be the route Jesus walked on the way to his crucifixion, Via Dolorosa isn't only a tourist attraction, it's a significant pilgrimage for many Christians who travel to Jerusalem to walk the Way of Sorrows, as it's otherwise known. The route covers about 2,000 feet and stretches from Antonia Fortress to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

18. The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Running through the heart of Scotland's capital, from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse (the King's official Scottish residence), the Royal Mile has been at the center of Scottish history for centuries. One of the most popular destinations for tourists, the street is lined with shops, historic pubs, and cafés, as well as top attractions like The Real Mary King's Close and Camera Obscura and World Of Illusions.

17. Via Giudecca, Burano, Italy

Arguably the most popular spot on the Italian island of Burano, Via Giudecca looks out to the lagoon, with the island's brightly colored houses lining the street and the canal. It's thought that the island got its signature look back in the day when fishermen painted their houses as bright as possible, so they would be easier to spot in the thick fog so common on the lagoon.

A popular day-trip destination from Venice, Burano is also famous for its lace work.

16. La Rambla, Barcelona, Spain

One of the most famous tourist streets in the world, there's nothing quite like the buzz of Barcelona's La Rambla. The nearly mile-long street connects Placa de Catalunya with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. 

A border between the city's historic Barri Gòtic to the east and El Raval to the west, La Rambla was once a sewage-filled stream that separated the city from other settlements, but it has slowly developed into one of the most recognizable symbols of the city.

15. Herbert Baker Street, Groenkloof, South Africa

Pretoria is known for its streets lined with jacaranda – in fact, it’s nicknamed ‘Jacaranda City.’ These flowering trees are glorious with purple-blue and lilac blooms between late-September and October and November to early-December, turning the streets into avenues bursting in color.

One particularly striking example is Herbert Baker Street in the Pretorian suburb of Groenkloof. The street also features rows of the less common white-flowering jacarandas.

14. Caminito, Buenos Aires, Argentina

These colorful houses can be found in La Boca, a vibrant neighborhood in Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires. A major tourist stop, Caminito (meaning ‘little path’) is a street museum measuring just 330 feet.

It’s packed with works from Argentinian artists, crafts, restaurants, and tango dancers performing in the street. The buildings are inspired by conventillos – metal and wood tenements built to house Genoan immigrants who arrived from the late 19th century.

13. Umbrella Sky Project (R. Luís de Camões), Águeda, Portugal

What began in 2011 as an art installation for Agueda's annual art festival has turned into the city's most famous attraction. Today, four of Águeda's streets are turned into a colorful spectacle with the help of more than 3,000 umbrellas, attracting thousands of tourists.

12. Lombard Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Nicknamed the most crooked street in the world, San Francisco's Lombard Street is best known for its one-block section that features eight hairpin turns. The peculiar design was intended to reduce the hill's natural 27% grade, which was too steep for most vehicles to drive down.

Today, it's a famous tourist attraction with more than two million visitors per year.

11. Calleja de las Flores, Córdoba, Spain

One of the most popular streets in Córdoba, Spain, Calleja de las Flores is a narrow passageway close to the landmark Mezquita-Catedral. With charming arches and romantic views of flowerpots filled with geraniums, it's also one of the most photographed attractions in this Spanish city.

10. Acorn Street, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Located in Boston's historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, Acorn Street is often said to be the most photographed street in the US. Wealthy tradesmen and artists lived here in the 19th century, and today it's one of Boston's most famous attractions, instantly recognizable thanks to its Federal-style brick rowhouses, and gas lanterns.

9. Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

New Orleans' loudest thoroughfare, Bourbon Street has become synonymous with the city's party life. Bright lights, throbbing music, and wrought-iron balconies characterize the 13-block strip stretching through NOLA's French Quarter.

Although some might think that it's named after one of America's favorite tipples, it was actually an honor given to the House of Bourbon (France's ruling family). Engineer Adrien de Pauger designed the city's street layout in 1721, while Louisiana was under French control.

8. Streets of Paraty, Brazil

Located on the Costa Verde, a coastal area known for its greenery, Paraty is an old colonial town, established by the Portuguese in 1667. Its colorful historic center, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is fully pedestrianized and much of its architecture, including its cobbled streets, hasn't changed for 250 years or more.

A peculiar feature of the historic center are the raised doors – this is due to the high tides that flood the city in the mornings. Many visitors come here specifically to take photographs of the flooded streets and the reflections of the colorful buildings.

7. Jinli, Chengdu, China

With a history that can be traced back to as early as the Qin Dynasty (221 BC–206 BC), Jinli has been a destination for traders and travelers for centuries. Opened in 2004 to tourists, Jinli is pedestrian only, offering a glimpse into the life of days gone by.

The age-old stores along the street sell everything from Shu embroidery and folk handicrafts to lacquer products and calligraphy tools. You'll also find plenty of street-food stalls here, selling typical Chengdu snacks.

6. The Shambles, York, England, UK

Dating back to medieval times, The Shambles in York is known for its beautifully preserved Elizabethan buildings with overhanging timber frames. A narrow, cobbled lane, The Shambles was once a street full of butchers' stores and you can still see the hooks and wide shelves on which they would have displayed their produce. Today you'll find plenty of charming cafés and boutiques in their place. 

5. Philosopher's Path, Kyoto, Japan

The Philosopher's Path (Tetsugaku no michi in Japanese) is a narrow stone path following the flow of a canal in Kyoto's historic Higashiyama district. While most of the year it's just a pleasant walk, the surrounding trees are bursting with color during cherry-blossom season in spring, making it one of the city's top spots for hanami (cherry blossom viewing).

4. Streets of Alberobello, Italy

It's simply impossible not to find a picture-perfect street in Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its entirety. The small town in Italy's heel, Puglia, is famous for its unusual trulli homes, built from white-washed local limestone, with characteristic conical roofs.

You'll find the prettiest streets in the historical heart of the town. Rione Monti is the more commercialized side with plenty of hotels, restaurants, and shops, while Rione Aia Piccola is much quieter and still largely residential.

3. Quai de la Poissonnerie, Colmar, France

Nestled among vineyards, Colmar is a dreamy collection of quaint medieval houses, canals, and floral displays – and Quai de la Poissonnerie, which runs alongside the Launch River, is like something out of a fairytale. Take a boat trip or admire the half-timbered fishermen's houses on a casual stroll, and be sure to pause at one of the bridges to drink in the view.

2. Via dei Fori Imperiali, Rome, Italy

A straight line connecting Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum, Via dei Fori Imperiali runs past some of Rome's most important historical sites, including the Roman Forum. Built by the order of dictator Benito Mussolini between 1924 and 1932, the road is only open to buses and taxis.

Serious archeological excavations have happened on both sides of the road over the years, and it's thought that significant Imperial Roman relics are still to be found in the vicinity.

1. Streets of Mykonos, Greece

A Greek island in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea, Mykonos is famous the world over for its exclusivity, jaw-dropping hotels, and signature white-washed streets. Broken up by the blue window and door frames and other eye-popping accents, Mykonos' streets might just be the most beautiful in the world.

There's also a very practical reason behind the blindingly white walls – it helps keep the houses cool during the hot Greek summers. Whatever the story behind them, it's made ranking them number one on this list a no-brainer. 

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