Cities need not simply be about shopping and night-life, and there is often more than meets the eye to most cities the globe over. You will have a huge must-visit list if you’re intent on heading to every popular city the world has to offer, so it’s a good idea to whittle your choices down slowly, and head to the places that attract your attention the most.

A top city has everything, and it has a bright and vibrant atmosphere, perfect for spending a few days exploring.

If you’re looking for some city inspiration, check out these five colourful cities you should be heading to next.

Rio, Brazil

Brazil’s premier city, although not the capital, is certainly a riot of colour and noise. Whether you head to the famous beaches, do a little samba, or enjoy the loud and vibrant carnival the city is famous for, Rio is a city like no other. The whole city is bright in many different ways, and even the infamous slums are becoming more colourful as a result of a major overhaul over the last couple of years.

Miami, Florida, USA

‘Welcome to Miami’ sang Will Smith, and with very good reason! Night-life and shopping central, Miami fits into the colourful vibe perfectly, with South Beach where it’s at for neon-lit, quirky fun. Art Deco buildings will line your eyes, as colourful as the blue of the sea.

Copenhagen, Denmark

A cultural and historic city, Copenhagen is certainly diverse and vibrant, and has plenty to see and do for everyone who visits. The Nyhavn Canal area is not only very easy on the eye, but the different coloured buildings sit in total comparison to the waterfront. Shopping is amazing in Copenhagen and the night-life is certainly a riot too.

Istanbul, Turkey

The only city in the world to straddle two continents, Istanbul is a mind-melt like no other! Huge and sprawling, this noisy, busy city is something to behold. The skyline is simply amazing, with mosques towering into the sky, before the massive Bosphorus bridge separating Asia and Europe. The Grand Bazaar is certainly the place to go for colour and noise, and it’s totally normal to get lost here, so don’t worry if you find yourself in a maze of market stalls!

Wroclaw, Poland

Many people visit Poland on a cheap city break filled with culture, and whilst that is certainly correct, this charming and picturesque city is colourful in a much more muted way to some of our other choices. Pastel coloured, rather than neon, Wroclaw has culture and diversity in abundance, as well as colourful buildings lining the streets. A great choice for history and architecture buffs.

Do any of these cities tick your boxes?