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) head to a friend's flat that has a balcony view. Most people in Hong Kong live in Skyscrapers - myself included (three times) and you get a simply amazing view from them.
(c) go for dinner in a restaurant on a high floor such as Aqua or Sky 100 . Please note that you have to pay in Sky 100 to get to the top, though Aqua allows you to just pop in for a quick cocktail and enjoy the view.
2. Tokyo, JAPAN:
Although I'm not a fan of Tokyo (for whatever reason I am not sure - I normally love all the big cities), at night it livens up and the amazing lights give the city a whole new buzz. At night I visited Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Shibuya, Shinkiba and Ginza and was impressed by the bouyant array of lights, people doing whatever they wanted (mostly eating and shopping). For a travelling Northern Irishman, I did find Tokyo a little bit crazy and actually haven't even written about my trip there properly yet.
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 in 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!
As I worked there most of my views of it by night were from the ship. St. Malo has direct ferries to England, Guernsey and Jersey. A well recommended night or two in this special French town.
5. Budapest, 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) head to a friend's flat that has a balcony view. Most people in Hong Kong live in Skyscrapers - myself included (three times) and you get a simply amazing view from them.
(c) go for dinner in a restaurant on a high floor such as Aqua or Sky 100 . Please note that you have to pay in Sky 100 to get to the top, though Aqua allows you to just pop in for a quick cocktail and enjoy the view.
2. Tokyo, JAPAN:
Although I'm not a fan of Tokyo (for whatever reason I am not sure - I normally love all the big cities), at night it livens up and the amazing lights give the city a whole new buzz. At night I visited Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Roppongi, Shibuya, Shinkiba and Ginza and was impressed by the bouyant array of lights, people doing whatever they wanted (mostly eating and shopping). For a travelling Northern Irishman, I did find Tokyo a little bit crazy and actually haven't even written about my trip there properly yet.
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 in 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!
As I worked there most of my views of it by night were from the ship. St. Malo has direct ferries to England, Guernsey and Jersey. A well recommended night or two in this special French town.
5. Budapest, 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 read more about amazing cities at night here: Top 5 Cities At night and to keep up to date with Jonny Blair's travel tales and hints check out his travel, work and lifestyle websiteDont Stop Living.
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