In 2025, the world’s most beautiful streets, as ranked by Condé Nast Traveller, captivate travelers with their charm, history, and visual allure, per Web ID:1, 7. From the fairytale lanes of Colmar, France, to the vibrant Umbrella Sky Project in Águeda, Portugal, these 10 streets—Streets of the Old Town in Colmar, Brunngasse in Brienz, Setenil de las Bodegas, Streets of Águeda, Washington Street in Brooklyn, Rua do Bom Jesus in Recife, Rue de l’Abreuvoir in Paris, Streets of Mykonos, Streets of Pretoria, and Rue du Petit Champlain in Quebec City—draw millions, earning 4.5–4.8/5 ratings on platforms like Tripadvisor, per Web ID:0, 3. This article explores their unique appeal and offers tips for visiting in 2025.
1. Streets of the Old Town, Colmar, France
Colmar’s Old Town, ranked first in 2025, enchants with half-timbered houses and canals in Petite Venise, drawing 1 million visitors, per Web ID:0, 1. Its flower-boxed alleys earn a 4.7/5 rating, per Web ID:7. Book via colmar-tourisme.com for spring 2025, and explore La Petite Venise by boat. Boat tour: €7 ($8).
2. Brunngasse, Brienz, Switzerland
Brunngasse, second, voted Europe’s most beautiful street, features 18th-century chalets with wood carvings, attracting 200,000 visitors, per Web ID:2. Its 4.8/5 rating reflects Alpine charm, per Web ID:2. Reserve via myswitzerland.com for summer 2025, and stroll Lake Brienz’s promenade. Entry: Free.
3. Setenil de las Bodegas, Spain
Setenil de las Bodegas, third, mesmerizes with whitewashed houses built into cliffs along the Rio Guadalporcún, drawing 150,000, per Web ID:0,‽post:0. Its 4.6/5 rating highlights unique architecture, per Web ID:3. Book via andalucia.org for fall 2025, and dine at cave restaurants. Meal: €10–€20 ($11–$22).
4. Streets of Águeda, Portugal
Águeda’s streets, fourth, dazzle with the Umbrella Sky Project, a canopy of colorful umbrellas since 2011, earning 4.7/5, per Web ID:0, 6. It attracts 100,000 during the 2025 Ágitagueda Art Festival, per Web ID:8. Visit via visitportugal.com in summer 2025. Entry: Free.
5. Washington Street, Brooklyn, NY, USA
Washington Street, fifth, offers iconic Manhattan Bridge views in Brooklyn’s DUMBO, drawing 500,000 for its cobblestone charm, per Web ID:0, 9. Its 4.5/5 rating reflects Instagram fame, per Web ID:1. Book via nyctourism.com for spring 2025, and explore DUMBO’s art scene. Entry: Free.
6. Rua do Bom Jesus, Recife, Brazil
Rua do Bom Jesus, sixth, shines with colorful colonial houses and the Kahal Zur Israel Synagogue, attracting 200,000, per Web ID:0, 3. Its Sunday market earns 4.6/5, per Web ID:6. Reserve via visit.recife.br for fall 2025, and shop local crafts. Entry: Free.
7. Rue de l’Abreuvoir, Paris, France
Rue de l’Abreuvoir, seventh, in Montmartre, captivates with ivy-covered buildings and La Maison Rose, drawing 300,000, per Web ID:0, 7. Its 4.7/5 rating reflects Picasso’s legacy, per Web ID:3. Book via parisinfo.com for summer 2025, and visit Sacré-Cœur. Entry: Free.
8. Streets of Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos’ streets, eighth, weave through whitewashed alleys with blue accents, attracting 1.2 million, per Web ID:0, 8. Their 4.8/5 rating highlights Mediterranean charm, per Web ID:1. Reserve via visitgreece.gr for spring 2025, and explore tavernas. Meal: €15–€25 ($17–$28).
9. Streets of Pretoria, South Africa
Pretoria’s streets, ninth, bloom with jacaranda trees from September to November 2025, drawing 250,000, per Web ID:0, 6. Church Street’s purple canopy earns 4.5/5, per Web ID:8. Book via gotopretoria.co.za for spring 2025, and visit Union Buildings. Entry: Free.
10. Rue du Petit Champlain, Quebec City, Canada
Rue du Petit Champlain, tenth, charms with cobblestone lanes and North America’s oldest stone church, attracting 400,000, per Web ID:0, 11. Its 4.6/5 rating reflects European vibes, per Web ID:8. Reserve via quebec-cite.com for winter 2025, and shop boutiques. Entry: Free.
Why These Streets Stand Out
Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 list, covering 71 streets, ranks these for architectural beauty, cultural significance, and visitor appeal, per Web ID:1, 7. Europe dominates with five entries, reflecting preserved heritage, while the Americas and Africa add diversity, per Web ID:0. Colmar’s fairytale aesthetic and Águeda’s art installation lead, but challenges like overcrowding (Mykonos) and seasonal access (Pretoria) require planning, per Web ID:6, 8.
Ranking Methodology
Condé Nast Traveller’s 2025 rankings draw from traveler reviews, Instagram hashtags, and cultural impact, per Web ID:1. Tripadvisor’s 2024–2025 data (4.5–4.8/5 ratings) and visitor counts (100,000–1.2 million) ensure robustness, per Web ID:0, 3. Brunngasse’s European award and Washington Street’s social media fame reflect their rankings, per Web ID:2, 9.
Key Features of These Streets
- Architecture: Colmar’s half-timbered houses and Setenil’s cliff dwellings stun, per Web ID:0, 7.
- Cultural Heritage: Recife’s synagogue and Paris’ artistic legacy enrich experiences, per Web ID:0, 3.
- Natural Beauty: Pretoria’s jacarandas and Brienz’s Alps enhance aesthetics, per Web ID:2, 6.
- Innovation: Águeda’s umbrellas and Mykonos’ whitewashed charm draw crowds, per Web ID:6, 8.
- Accessibility: Most are free, with affordable dining ($6–$28), per Web ID:3, 8.
Critical Perspective
While Condé Nast’s rankings highlight Instagram-worthy and tourist-heavy streets, they may overlook local gems like Morocco’s Rue Bin Souaki, which offers similar charm with fewer crowds, per Web ID:8. Setenil’s unique geology outshines Pretoria’s seasonal appeal, suggesting a bias toward visual impact, per Web ID:0. Still, high ratings (4.5–4.8/5) validate their allure, per Web ID:1.
Tips for Travelers
- Book Early: Reserve tours via colmar-tourisme.com or visitgreece.gr 2–3 months ahead for 2025, saving 10–15%, per Web ID:0.
- Visit Off-Peak: Travel in spring (March–May) or fall (September–November) 2025 to avoid crowds, per Web ID:6.
- Explore Nearby: Pair Colmar with Alsace villages or Mykonos with Delos, per Web ID:7.
- Use Apps: Download Tripadvisor for 4.5/5+ rated experiences, per Web ID:3.
- Check Events: Visit Águeda during the 2025 Art Festival or Pretoria in spring, per Web ID:6, 8.
Conclusion
In 2025, the Streets of Colmar, Brunngasse in Brienz, Setenil de las Bodegas, and seven others redefine beauty with their architecture, culture, and natural splendor, per Condé Nast Traveller, Web ID:1, 7. With 4.5–4.8/5 ratings and millions of visitors, these streets offer unforgettable experiences. Travelers can book early, visit off-peak, and use apps to explore these iconic destinations in 2025.
