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Salvador is the epicenter of the country's vibrant Afro-Brazilian culture and a showcase for the beautiful colonial architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries. It blends historic gold landmarks with modern neon façades to create a surprising but seamless aesthetic. Although Rio is the more popular tourist destination, this tranquil city delivers all the same magic—minus the crowds.

In a country where tango rules the night, the neighborhood of La Boca is worth a day-time visit. When immigrants first settled here, they painted their homes with whatever dyes they could find at a nearby dockyard. The result of this piecemeal effort is a visual feast. Today, the colors extend to chalk sidewalk designs and dazzling murals.

From soft pastels to tropical tints, Bahamian homes are anything but boring. However, it's not just the private estates that enjoy a rich palette, as a trip to Parliament Square reveals. The colonial-inspired Senate, House of Assembly, and Supreme Court buildings are all painted a vivid shade of pink.

Cinque Terre is a collection of five seaside enclaves that proudly display rainbow abodes atop cliffs overlooking the sea. Each of the communities has its own special charm and are accessible via walking paths, such as the popular Via dell'Amore (the Way of Love), which connects Riomaggiore to Manarola. There are also boat shuttles that operate between each town.

The capital of Greenland features a dense cluster of picturesque wooden homes, whose pigments initially had a practical function as a means to tell them apart. Police stations were black, hospitals were yellow, fish factories were blue, and commercial homes were red. You'll also want to visit the Hans Egede House, the oldest in the country (built in 1728), and named for the city's founder who also resided there.

This former silver mining city is surrounded by the Sierra de Guanajuato mountains. A city rich in history, architecture and of course, color, it's considered one of Mexico's most romantic destinations. Here, you can wander the cobblestone streets that wind up along the hillside and through tunnels that were once rivers.

Nestled in the Rif mountains of northern Morocco, this maze of alleyways boast electric shades of blue. There are many theories as to why the town is painted in this way, such as to follow Jewish custom, to keep the mosquitos away, and to represent the cerulean sea, but the full story behind this "Blue Pearl of Morocco" remains a mystery.

With a name like Jellybean Row, the homes dotting St. John's steep hills are as lively and cheerful as you'd expect. Located on the Avalon Peninsula's northeast coast, the lore behind the city's bright houses is attributed to fishermen who wanted to see their homes through the fog as they approached the harbor. Of course, the real truth is less romantic: The bold palette began in the 1970s as a way to revitalize the downtown area.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site feels like it's stuck in time. Located in central Cuba, this well preserved, 500-year-old colonial town boasts colorful Spanish architecture, cobblestone streets, and the classic cars Cuba has come to be known for.

Once a commercial port that drew sailors from across the world, Nyhavn is now lined with colorful 17th-century buildings that house restaurants and cafés along its waterfront. The canal looks like a magical wonderland, so its no surprise that author Hans Christen Anderson—who lived in three different homes here—used it as inspiration for his famous fairy tales.