Voavah, the Four Seasons' private island, in the Maldives
(Virtual) Travel Guide
Our Favorite Blue Destinations
Buckle up, and get ready to escape with us—we're counting down our favorite vacation spots to soak up some sun… and the color blue.
Voavah, Maldives
The Maldives, that stretch of islands south of Sri Lanka, is renowned for its crystal blue waters, which turn all the more breathtaking at night due to naturally occurring bioluminescence. Add to that your own private island, courtesy of the Four Seasons' Voavah, and you've officially reached nirvana.
The Maldives, that stretch of islands south of Sri Lanka, is renowned for its crystal blue waters, which turn all the more breathtaking at night due to naturally occurring bioluminescence. Add to that your own private island, courtesy of the Four Seasons' Voavah, and you've officially reached nirvana.
Porto, Portugal
No trip to Porto is complete without taking in the city's signature azulejo tiles. Originally from Spain, the painted tin-glazed ceramics are now synonymous with Portuguese culture and, in Porto, you can find them everywhere, from concert halls and churches to the São Bento train station.
No trip to Porto is complete without taking in the city's signature azulejo tiles. Originally from Spain, the painted tin-glazed ceramics are now synonymous with Portuguese culture and, in Porto, you can find them everywhere, from concert halls and churches to the São Bento train station.
Porto's Casa da Música...
... and Igreja do Carmo
Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia
Located in the north of the country, Sidi Bou Said is a beach town that's long attracted creative types, from Paul Klee to Azzedine Alaïa. The blue and white motifs throughout are said to be the influence of French artist Rodolphe d'Erlanger, who lived there in the Twenties.
Located in the north of the country, Sidi Bou Said is a beach town that's long attracted creative types, from Paul Klee to Azzedine Alaïa. The blue and white motifs throughout are said to be the influence of French artist Rodolphe d'Erlanger, who lived there in the Twenties.
The view of the Mediterranean from Sidi Bou Said
Júzcar, Spain
Unlike many of the other entries on this list, this village's blue environs have nothing to do with tradition or decades-old culture. The buildings were only painted blue in 2011 as a marketing gimmick to celebrate the release of the film, The Smurfs. Residents voted to keep the town blue, thanks to the subsequent boom in tourists.
Unlike many of the other entries on this list, this village's blue environs have nothing to do with tradition or decades-old culture. The buildings were only painted blue in 2011 as a marketing gimmick to celebrate the release of the film, The Smurfs. Residents voted to keep the town blue, thanks to the subsequent boom in tourists.
Júzcar, Spain
Jodhpur, India
Most of the buildings in the center of town are blue—hence Jodhpur's nickname as the Blue City. The exact reason why, however, is lost to history. Some say the color is an homage to Lord Shiva; others say it dates back to the caste system, when Brahmins, the priestly caste, painted their houses blue.
Most of the buildings in the center of town are blue—hence Jodhpur's nickname as the Blue City. The exact reason why, however, is lost to history. Some say the color is an homage to Lord Shiva; others say it dates back to the caste system, when Brahmins, the priestly caste, painted their houses blue.
The Blue City of Jodhpur, India
Mexico City, Mexico
Frida Kahlo's home in Mexico's capital—where she was born and raised and where she eventually died—features vividly intense cobalt walls. Known as La Casa Azul ("The Blue House" in English), it's now a museum dedicated to the artist.
Frida Kahlo's home in Mexico's capital—where she was born and raised and where she eventually died—features vividly intense cobalt walls. Known as La Casa Azul ("The Blue House" in English), it's now a museum dedicated to the artist.
The Frida Kahlo Museum, a.k.a. La Casa Azul, in Mexico City
Santorini, Greece
Blue and white aren't just the colors of the Greek flag, they're the trademark hues of popular vacation spot, Santorini, with its white-washed buildings and bright, blue domes and doors. Bonus blue: the dazzling azure sea and sky.
Blue and white aren't just the colors of the Greek flag, they're the trademark hues of popular vacation spot, Santorini, with its white-washed buildings and bright, blue domes and doors. Bonus blue: the dazzling azure sea and sky.
Santorini, Greece
Marrakech, Morocco
Morocco is a mecca for blue destinations. Not only does it have a whole city awash in the calming color, Chefchaouen in the north, but there's also Majorelle Garden in Marrakech—the villa there is painted a densely brilliant blue named after its founder, French Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle. Fun fact: Fashion power duo Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé snapped up the place in the Eighties, which now also houses a museum dedicated to the designer.
Morocco is a mecca for blue destinations. Not only does it have a whole city awash in the calming color, Chefchaouen in the north, but there's also Majorelle Garden in Marrakech—the villa there is painted a densely brilliant blue named after its founder, French Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle. Fun fact: Fashion power duo Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé snapped up the place in the Eighties, which now also houses a museum dedicated to the designer.
Majorelle Garden in Marrakech, Morocco
For more colorful travels, check out our list of pink places here.
