Alongside Istanbul, Kyoto and Paris, this Australian city has been crowned for its beauty

Key Points

Adelaide has been named one of the most beautiful cities in the world for its vine-spotted hills and Art Deco cityscape.
Architectural Digest, an American magazine, created the list of 20 cities.
Cultural treasures, historical relevance, architecture and natural appeal were factored into the final decision.

Some might consider it one of the hardest tasks in the world — but Architectural Digest (AD) has ranked the 20 most beautiful cities in the world, and among them is an Australian gem.

AD, an American magazine launched in 1920, is recognised as an “international design authority” in architecture, interiors and design spaces. In compiling its list of beautiful cities, which it said was not definitive, the magazine considered architecture, cultural treasures, historical relevance and natural appeal.

“The best cities offer something that can’t be found anywhere else,” AD said.

The list took in cities from Central and South America, Africa, Australia and the Carribean.

Which Australian city was named one of the most beautiful in the world?

The South Australian capital Adelaide came in at number one, and was the only Australian city on the list.

“Find surf, sand dunes, and Art Deco architecture in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia. In fact, you can experience all three, as well as Victorian architecture at Semaphore Beach, just 9 miles from the city center,” the magazine wrote.

“Beyond the beach, Adelaide has rolling hills lush with high-quality grapes, making it the country’s wine capital.

Wine country in McLaren Vale, south of Adelaide. Source: AAP / Ben Macmahon

“When not sipping an Australian cab (Cabernet Sauvignon), nature lovers can spot koalas and kangaroos on a hike in the Adelaide Hills.”

According to figures provided by state tourism agencies, South Australia still trails NSW and Victoria in international visitors (NSW had 3.7 million and Victoria 2.4 million in the year ending March 2024). But South Australia reported a 64 per cent increase in international visitors to 465,000 over the same period.

What other beautiful cities made the list?

Narrow alleyway with blue walls, houses and doors in medina.

The mountain city of Chefchaouen in Morocco and its blue buildings also made Architectural Digest’s list of the most beautiful cities in the world. Source: Getty / Arterra/Arterra/Universal Images Group v

Estonia’s Tallinn, one of the world’s best preserved medieval cities, alongside Luxor, Egypt, the final resting place of three dynasties of pharaohs; the azure-drenched Chefchaouen, Morocco, and Djenné, a “fairytale city” in Mali “moulded from mud” all made the list.

Asian entrants included city-state Singapore, India’s Jaipur (known as the Pink City) and Kyoto in Japan.