Two of the top three places went to cities in Portugal.
The Portuguese capital, Lisbon, was recognized as the most colorful city in the world in 2026 – a trip there is definitely pleasing to the eye and guarantees a lot of bright photos to remember.
How the rating winner was determined
The rating was compiled by the travel insurance company JustCover. To do this, its experts analyzed hundreds of landscapes in almost 80 of the most famous and colorful places around the world.
In particular, the team selected several representative photos of each of them, including aerial photographs or views of the horizon, as well as street photos that show recognizable landmarks, architecture, or neighborhoods.
It is noted that each image was selected to reflect the typical landscape of the location and was taken in clear daylight without strong filters. The experts then used a color analysis tool to measure the number of unique colors in each image. The results were combined to calculate a total brightness score using pixel-level data.
How Lisbon topped the rankings
The capital of Portugal earned a brightness rating of 100 out of 100. It is noted that the analysis from JustCover revealed more than 2.6 million unique colors in the city.
Lisbon is known for its pastel-colored buildings and the patterned Azulejo tiles that adorn the city’s historic neighborhoods. However, one of the most iconic sights is the yellow trams that roar through the narrow streets of the Portuguese capital.
“To enjoy an impressive panoramic view of the city’s terracotta roofs, head to the Miradouro da Senhora do Monte viewpoint,” the authors of the ranking conclude.
The 10 Brightest Cities in the World in 2026
In total, 30 cities around the world were included in the final ranking, with two Portuguese cities in the top three.
Here are the top ten:
- Lisbon, Portugal.
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Porto, Portugal.
- Cartagena, Colombia.
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Guanajuato, Mexico.
- Havana, Cuba.
- Hanoi, Vietnam.
- New Orleans, USA.
- Medellin, Colombia.
The Irish capital Dublin closed the ranking.