Inspired by the view of Hong Kong all lit up at night, I thought it would only be right to compile a list of my top 5 cities at night from my travels. These are based on cities with views rather than nightlife or entertainment.
This list features mostly lit up skyscraping type cities. Mostly because at night they are easier on the eye and ultimately more inspiring. Don't get me wrong, I love sleeping in deserts,but your night view of a following a torch to a toilet isn't exactly much cop when you're blessed with staring down on a city like Budapest at night...
1. Victoria Harbour in HONG KONG:
For views, you cannot really beat Hong Kong. And I know I'm only basing this on places I've actually seen at night, but I love it. A pretty, clean, shiny harbour reflecting boats, skyscrapers and with mountains in behind, it is hard not to love the busy night time appeal of the Kong. For the best night views, it's either:
(a) Get a tram up to The Peak!
(b) get a mate who has a flat with a view (in 3 places in Hong Kong I have stayed, all had decent night views!)
(c) head for dinner in a high restaurant such as Aqua or Sky 100 . Please note that Sky 100 costs to get to the top, whereas Aqua you can just pop in for a cocktail, which I have done a couple of times!
2. JAPAN: Tokyo:
Strangely Tokyo isn't one of my favourite cities yet at night it somehow gets my vote. By day I found it expensive, too big and just inspiring. At night, outdoor food stalls, relaxed locals and endless lights give it a whole new appeal to the average passer by. I have yet to experience the same contrast in any other city I have ever been, so honestly - check Tokyo out at night and compare it to the daytime. It's an amazing transformation. I visited Ginza, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Shinagawa, Shinkiba and Shibuya at night so I base my experience on those places. The lights of Tokyo at night just need to be seen.
3. Sydney in AUSTRALIA:
What can I say? Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour etc. Sydney at night is fantastic. I spent a couple of years living on the western edge of Sydney and I just loved it. I managed to catch the amazing New Year's Eve fireworks display in 2009. You can climb the Sydney Tower at night for a great view, but seriously I prefer just chilling in a bar or restaurant down by the harbour front.
4. St. Malo, FRANCE:
OK, so you're baffled by my choice of St. Malo in France but honestly as a traveller you go with fond memories and places that really shone out at you. And the glorious walled city of St. Malo is quite spectacular at night. What's more is it isn't that busy so you can enjoy a nice quiet time while eating crepes and drinking French beer or wine in traditional streets and with endless boats docking in the lit up harbour. I might be slightly biased though as I used to work on boats in St. Malo so the night view of leaving the harbour at night is a memory that just stuck and has yet to be replaced. Go and check it out - you'll be pleasantly surprised!
I spent a fair few nights in the city itself, but most of my views of the gorgeous St. Malo were from the bow of the ship as we sailed in or out of this splendid French Port! If you live in the south of England, hop on a Condor Ferry and spend a night at least in St. Malo!
5. Budapest in HUNGARY:
Eastern Europe offers some alternative night view magic, as I find it less commercial. Lit up advertising boards are replaced by lit up parliaments and lamposts by rivers. Well that's the beauty of Budapest. You can head up to Gellert for a sensational view down over the city at night. It's a wonderful city to see from high up. While you're at it try some of the amazing sweet Hungarian wine and grab some goulasch. The two sides of the city, Buda and Pest are separated not just by the Danube but also small island called Margit Sziget.
So there you go - that's my top 5 cities for night views. I tried to mix it up a bit and of course left a few gems out. New York, London, Sao Paulo, Caracas and Macao will have to wait for another time. Get out there and see these amazing top 5 at night!
Don't Stop Living!
.
This list features mostly lit up skyscraping type cities. Mostly because at night they are easier on the eye and ultimately more inspiring. Don't get me wrong, I love sleeping in deserts,but your night view of a following a torch to a toilet isn't exactly much cop when you're blessed with staring down on a city like Budapest at night...
1. Victoria Harbour in HONG KONG:
For views, you cannot really beat Hong Kong. And I know I'm only basing this on places I've actually seen at night, but I love it. A pretty, clean, shiny harbour reflecting boats, skyscrapers and with mountains in behind, it is hard not to love the busy night time appeal of the Kong. For the best night views, it's either:
(a) Get a tram up to The Peak!
(b) get a mate who has a flat with a view (in 3 places in Hong Kong I have stayed, all had decent night views!)
(c) head for dinner in a high restaurant such as Aqua or Sky 100 . Please note that Sky 100 costs to get to the top, whereas Aqua you can just pop in for a cocktail, which I have done a couple of times!
2. JAPAN: Tokyo:
Strangely Tokyo isn't one of my favourite cities yet at night it somehow gets my vote. By day I found it expensive, too big and just inspiring. At night, outdoor food stalls, relaxed locals and endless lights give it a whole new appeal to the average passer by. I have yet to experience the same contrast in any other city I have ever been, so honestly - check Tokyo out at night and compare it to the daytime. It's an amazing transformation. I visited Ginza, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Shinagawa, Shinkiba and Shibuya at night so I base my experience on those places. The lights of Tokyo at night just need to be seen.
3. Sydney in AUSTRALIA:
What can I say? Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Darling Harbour etc. Sydney at night is fantastic. I spent a couple of years living on the western edge of Sydney and I just loved it. I managed to catch the amazing New Year's Eve fireworks display in 2009. You can climb the Sydney Tower at night for a great view, but seriously I prefer just chilling in a bar or restaurant down by the harbour front.
4. St. Malo, FRANCE:
OK, so you're baffled by my choice of St. Malo in France but honestly as a traveller you go with fond memories and places that really shone out at you. And the glorious walled city of St. Malo is quite spectacular at night. What's more is it isn't that busy so you can enjoy a nice quiet time while eating crepes and drinking French beer or wine in traditional streets and with endless boats docking in the lit up harbour. I might be slightly biased though as I used to work on boats in St. Malo so the night view of leaving the harbour at night is a memory that just stuck and has yet to be replaced. Go and check it out - you'll be pleasantly surprised!
I spent a fair few nights in the city itself, but most of my views of the gorgeous St. Malo were from the bow of the ship as we sailed in or out of this splendid French Port! If you live in the south of England, hop on a Condor Ferry and spend a night at least in St. Malo!
5. Budapest in HUNGARY:
Eastern Europe offers some alternative night view magic, as I find it less commercial. Lit up advertising boards are replaced by lit up parliaments and lamposts by rivers. Well that's the beauty of Budapest. You can head up to Gellert for a sensational view down over the city at night. It's a wonderful city to see from high up. While you're at it try some of the amazing sweet Hungarian wine and grab some goulasch. The two sides of the city, Buda and Pest are separated not just by the Danube but also small island called Margit Sziget.
So there you go - that's my top 5 cities for night views. I tried to mix it up a bit and of course left a few gems out. New York, London, Sao Paulo, Caracas and Macao will have to wait for another time. Get out there and see these amazing top 5 at night!
Don't Stop Living!
.
About the Author:
You can learn more about excellent cities at night here: Top 5 Cities At night and to keep up to date with Jonny Blair's travel stories and hints check out his travel, work and lifestyle websiteDont Stop Living.