Travellers are on the hunt for a stunning destination to visit in the new year as the UK approaches winter with its grey skies and dreary weather.
According to TikTok‘s creator Search Insights, “beautiful places to travel to” has been searched over 1.6 million times on the app. This has seen a whopping 118 percent increase in the past 24 hours.
However, a new study from Scenic Cruises has uncovered the world’s most picture-perfect coastal cities by analysing Instagram geotags and uploads from photography site Flickr to determine the results.
Researchers found Lisbon in Portugal as Europe’s most picturesque coastal city. The city is home to many viewing points (miradouros in Portuguese) perfect for photography.
From Lisbon’s highest viewing point, Miradouro da Senhora do Monte to Miradouro de Santa Carina for breathtaking views of the sea.
Portugal’s second largest city, Porto, also ranked fourth in the study due to its magnificent views, often best seen via a cruise along the Douro river.
Next is Barcelona, Spain, home to the world-famous Sagrada Familia. With over 35 million Instagram geotags, the city is populated with many picture-perfect scenes, including its sweeping Barceloneta Beach.
Placing third is Marseille, France. Despite being less popular as an Instagram photo-op, this underrated coastal hotspot has received over 386,000 Flickr uploads from photographers. The Vieux-Port (Old Port) offers visitors the perfect spot for capturing sunsets over the water.
Europe’s top 10 most picturesque coastal cities:
1. Lisbon, Portugal – 76.3 percent
2. Barcelona, Spain – 73.2 percent
3. Marseille, France – 71.9 percent
4. Porto, Portugal – 71.1 percent
5. Monaco, Monaco – 70.9 percent
6. Copenhagen, Denmark – 70.4 percent
7. Riga, Latvia – 69.5 percent
8. Venice, Italy – 68.8 percent
9. Malaga, Spain – 67.4 percent
10. Brighton, UK – 66.7 percent
The most picture-perfect coastal cities in the world:
1. Istanbul, Turkey – 95 percent
2. Los Angeles, USA – 78 percent
3. Lisbon, Portugal – 76.3 percent
4. Barcelona, Spain – 73.2 percent
5. Marseille, France – 71.9 percent
6. Manila, Philippines, 71.6 percent
7. Baltimore, USA – 71.4 percent
8. Porto, Portugal – 71.1 percent
9. Monaco, Monaco – 70.9 percent
10. Copenhagen, Denmark – 70.4 percent