Enchanted Cities by Night

Whether large or small, classic or modern, rich or poor, the truth is that they all have a common denominator: their beauty shines when the lights are turned on. In this post, I will give some tips about the most attractive cities to visit at night. I’m avoiding clichés like New York, Las Vegas, Paris or Rome, and instead propose a night tour of Sydney (Australia), Hong Kong, Budapest (Hungary) and Cartagena de Indias (Colombia).

Sydney, Australia: The views of the bay, with the Opera House in background, the huge iron bridge standing in the harbor and its green paths, make Sydney a very special city. And this is amplified after night falls. That´s when Opera changes from neutral white to a multitude of colors, which can oddly enough be seen from anywhere in the bay. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is also lit up, but a bit more discreetly. At some 1,150 meters long and 500 high, it’s very nice to walk across it and watch the sun set on the skyline of the city. At the foot of the bridge, they offer guided tours.

Budapest, Hungary: The Hungarian capital, known as the Pearl of the Danube, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe when the lights are lit. I recommend a walk across the Chain Bridge (which crosses from Buda to Pest), which is always lit with warm lights at night. Nearby, in the skyline of Budapest, you can quickly locate the Parliament building, which is also illuminated at night. The best way to see the city late at night is by cruise ship on the Danube. The rides come with a choice of dinner or a glass of champagne. On board one of these boats, you are guaranteed to have a very romantic evening.

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia: Walking around this World Heritage city at dusk is a unique experience. And of course, we can’t talk about Cartagena without mentioning to its walls, which date from the late sixteenth century and are very well preserved, as they make it a magical city. Before the sun sets, make your way to the Café del Mar, which is located in the same fortress and overlooks the Caribbean Sea, for the best views of the sunset. And what about squares or streets where illuminated with warm lights? To see Cartagena at night, I recommend taking a trip back in time with a tour by horse-drawn carriage.

Hong Kong: This is a city of skyscrapers and neon lights. When you travel in this metropolis, you will have arrived in an endless maze of buildings full of light and color. To give you an idea of its majesty, it is one of the places with the highest population density in the world, with an estimated 6,300 people per square kilometer. East and West merge in its streets. And of course its impressive skyline is illuminated (and can be seen from the Tsim Sha Tsui dock). It is the typical image of the island. Every night will provide you with a spectacular light and a sound show that’s hard to forget.

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