Stunning Photos Of 10 Color-drenched Destinations Around The World

Do you remember playing the game "Would you rather..." when you were a kid? Like, would you rather live in a world that's entirely green or entirely yellow? Well, there are places in this world where you can (sort of) test your theory. These color-drenched destinations, with their buildings and public spaces painted in a singular hue, are steeped in lore and offer eye candy around every corner. Here are 10 places around the world giving monochromatic magic — no filter required.

With more waterfalls than residents and stunning views of a lagoon and towering mountains, locals and tourists alike adore the verdant village of Saksun in the Faroe Islands. For those visiting, it's only a day trip for a bit of hiking and exploring. There's no grocery store or cafe; only a few homes, a church, a public restroom, and a parking lot, as well as a small museum that's open in summer. The traditional turf-roofed structures are sheds used to ferment and dry mutton. 

Built into the side of Serra do Açor, the fifth-highest mountain range in Portugal, Piódão is an intricate network of stairs and steep roads that connect traditional schist stone structures with slate roofs, blending seamlessly into the mountainside. For 400 years, Piódão was pretty much isolated, accessible only on foot or horseback. In the 1970s, a royal road paved the way between this medieval village and the neighboring town of Coimbra.

This once white-washed Andalusian town underwent an extreme makeover in 2011, when the village agreed to paint the town blue and serve as the filming location for Sony Pictures' “The Smurfs 3D.” Once a sleepy town, Júzcar's new identity as "Smurf village" brought tourism dollars to the area, so the residents decided to make the most of it and embrace the blue. A copyright issue raised in 2017 by Smurfs’ original creator, Pierre Culliford, halted the town's Smurf-themed marketing campaigns, but Júzcar remains widely recognized for its Smurfy past.

Manors, cottages, churches, and castles made from sandstone rich in iron oxide line the narrow streets of this medieval village — hence, the dominant ochre hue. Home to St. Peter’s Church and Chapelle des Pénitents, this French village has been a popular stop for pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago since at least the 8th century. In the late 20th century, Collonges-la-Rouge experienced a revival of sorts when locals founded a preservation association and classified the majority of the village's buildings as historical landmarks. This color-drenched destination is one of 155 French villages designated as the "most beautiful villages in France." 

Tucked in Morocco's Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is nicknamed the "Blue Pearl of Morocco," and it's certainly a treasure. The city was founded in 1471 by Jews and Moors who were fleeing the Spanish Inquisition. Today, Chefchaouen attracts tourists from all over the world who want to roam and photograph the azure-washed alleyways. Stories differ on why the city is painted blue. They range from the pragmatic (the color wards off mosquitoes) to the mystical (Jewish residents chose a heavenly blue to represent God’s power).

Known as the Golden City for its honey-colored sandstone buildings, Jaisalmer appears like a larger-than-life sand castle rising out of India's Thar Desert. Once a medieval trading center, this color-drenched destination's most prominent architectural feature is a 12th century fort, the second-oldest in Rajasthan. True to its trading roots, Jaisalmer is home to numerous bustling bazaars and shops, as well as mesmerizing temples featuring intricately sculpted pillars, ceilings, and walls. 

The capital of Rajasthan and one of the earliest planned cities of modern India, "the Pink City" is a must-visit, color-drenched destination. The city's pink beginnings hail back to 1876, when Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales, visited India, and Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II had the city painted pink to symbolize Jaipur's hospitality. The following year, Ram Singh passed a law that all new buildings in Jaipur must be colored pink as well. Be sure to visit the awe-inspiring Hawa Mahal, whose red and pink sandstone exterior features more than 900 windows embellished with gorgeous latticework.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, Hoi An is a mashup of Asian and European architecture, due to its roots as a busy trade port and the influence of merchants from China, Japan, and Europe who settled there. The prominent use of yellow in this color-drenched city is said to represent royalty and good fortune, while also having a cooling effect on the buildings. For an extra magical experience, visit Hoi An during the lantern festival, which occurs on the 14th day of every lunar month. After sundown, candlelit lanterns are set adrift on area rivers and streams to bring good luck.

As a playful effort to encourage tourism, the South Jeolla Province in 2015 decided to paint the buildings on Banwol Island (and neighboring Bakji Island) in varying shades of lilac — a nod to the native campanula bellflowers that grow there. Banwol Island also gained a restaurant, hotel, and bike rentals to further cater to curious visitors. Building on the color-drenched destination motif, the government also introduced fields of New England asters and lavender to blanket Banwol Island, now affectionately known as "the Purple Island."

The architecture in Izamal, known as "the Yellow City," represents a marriage of cultures. The marigold yellow of the stately houses and fortress-like churches reflects the city's colonial inheritance and the Vatican flag. Going back further in time, the fiery yellow pays homage to the city's ancient Mayan roots as a significant ceremonial center for worshipping a Mayan sun god. Today, Izamal remains an important Mayan pilgrimage site.