There isn’t much that sparks a wanderlust more than marveling at a city’s impressive skyline. Whether it’s a man-made skyline or a marvelous natural setting, fantastic views not only captivate and inspire travelers, but also capture the essence of the city’s history and the power of its citizens.
From the US to China and from Canada to Australia, here is one of many selections of the 10 most spectacular urban skylines in the world. Of course, this list is subjective but I’m sure these megacity cityscapes will captivate you too. Also, to help you enjoy them, we have mentioned the best viewpoints and highest points from which to admire these images of skyscrapers from a bird’s eye view.
10. SINGAPORE
Singapore is the second most densely populated country on the planet, with more than 90% of its population living and working in high-rise buildings. The tallest buildings in the metropolitan area are located in the city center, which is also the historic heart of Singapore.
9. RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
There is a Brazilian saying that goes: “God made the world in six days, the seventh he dedicated to Rio”. Blessed with one of the most dramatic natural settings in the world, Rio never fails to impress its visitors. Anyone standing next to the world famous Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado Peak or on top of Sugar Loaf Mountain will experience one of the most exciting skylines in the world. In Rio, the deep blue of the Atlantic Ocean mixes with the brilliant white of the sandy beaches, the fresh green of the exuberant tropical vegetation and fifty shades of gray of the urbanization.
8. CHICAGO, USA
As the birthplace of the skyscraper, the Windy City is home to one of the most spectacular cityscapes in the world. When Chicago erected its first steel skyscraper in 1885, the Home Insurance Building, it introduced a new form of engineering that would change the vertical sprawl of nearly every city in the world.
7. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Australia’s largest city may not have the densest concentration of skyscrapers, but it certainly has one of the most photogenic skylines in the world.
Beneath a brilliant blue sky, the skyscrapers stand alongside two iconic landmarks: the blinding white, shell-shaped exterior of the Jorn Utzon-designed Sydney Opera House and the magnificent curves of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, an arch bridge of steel.
The stunning skyline dominates dozens of idyllic bays and inlets around Sydney Harbour, often referred to as the world’s most beautiful natural harbor.
6. DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Seemingly out of nowhere, Dubai is home to more skyscrapers taller than 250 m (820 ft) than any other city in the world. While the skyline isn’t nearly as dense compared to most of the other cities on this list, each building is an architectural marvel on its own.
The Burj Khalifa is the tallest man-made structure in the world, with 163 stories reaching 585 m (1,918 ft), though the tip of its spire reaches 829 m or 2,722 ft (over half a mile). Some of the other notable structures in the deserted city are the world’s tallest hotel building, the JW Marriott Marquis, plus the world’s tallest residential building, the 101-story 101 Princess Marina Tower.
5. VANCOUVER, CANADA
Known as one of the world’s most liveable cities for more than a decade, Canada’s largest west coast metropolis features a distinctive skyline of modern high-rise condominiums, a backdrop often used in films to replicate the city. from New York (since it is cheaper to film here than in the big apple).
While the buildings themselves don’t offer much in terms of aesthetics, it’s their overwhelmingly beautiful surroundings that make this one of the prettiest skylines in the world. Snow-capped mountains, wildlife-filled waters, and lush tropical forests frame the glass skyline, with the 62-story Shangri-La Hotel as the city’s tallest building.
4. SHANGHAI, CHINA
Once known as the “Paris of the East” for its glamor and elegance, Shanghai is now the world’s largest metropolis with more than 24 million inhabitants. The city is on its way to becoming the largest financial center in the world, constantly adding new mind-blowing skyscrapers to its growing portfolio of skyscrapers.
The tallest building on its skyline is the 127-story Shanghai Tower, at 632 m (2,073 ft) the second-tallest building in the world. The most recognized, however, is the Oriental Pearl Tower, which has 11 spheres, a revolving restaurant, and an impressive light display at night.
3. CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Although the unremarkable skyscrapers of the city center are not cause for excitement, it is the backdrop of Table Mountain that makes the Cape Town skyline so extraordinary. At 1,086m (3,563ft) tall, this iconic mountain dominates the southern African coastal horizon, imposing a dramatic and commanding backdrop to an idyllic location. From the summit, which is often shrouded in cascading clouds, the mountainside tumbles down to the city’s fabulous white and golden sand beaches.
2. NEW YORK, USA
The Big Apple is defined by its iconic Manhattan skyline, it is the Skyline by definition, a mesmerizing silhouette created by dozens of glittering skyscrapers and easily recognizable by almost anyone in the world. A postcard image, wow.
The crown jewel of the New York skyline is the 102-story Empire State Building, which stood as the world’s tallest building from its completion until 1972 (it is now the 37th-tallest skyscraper). Currently, the tallest skyscraper in New York is the 104-story One World Trade Center, which rises 1,776 feet (51 m) above the hallowed site where the Twin Towers were destroyed in the 2001 terrorist attack.
1. HONG KONG, CHINA
Hong Kong rightfully has one of the most photographed urban skylines in the world. The once British territory claims it has the world’s largest collection of buildings taller than 500 feet (150 m), earning it the title of the “world’s most vertical city.”
Towering skyscrapers and futuristic buildings stand tall and proud along Victoria Harbour, offset by green mountains in the background, transforming Hong Kong’s skyline into a surreal urban spectacle that is like no other in the world. The International Trade Center, with 118 floors, is the tallest building in the city and the ninth tallest on the planet.
