The charm of a millennial past, an artistic, architectural and cultural history that has influenced the whole world, producing priceless masterpieces and making it a magical place in every season of the year, in the almost unanimous opinion of those who live it every day and those who find themselves passing through it and admiring in its monuments.
Eternal beauty, in short, absolutely unparalleled: this is also the verdict of the Global Aesthetic Cities Index, the ranking unveiled by Swift Direct Blinds that delves into the most aesthetically pleasing cities across the globe. The methodology used combines Instagram and TikTok data with the count of world heritage sites and landmarks, presenting each capital city with an overall aesthetic rating. While it is true that beauty is most often in the eye of the beholder, this index offers a fascinating glimpse into the cities that capture the imagination of social media users and art and culture enthusiasts.
Among the capitals of all OECD, European Union, and G20 countries, Rome emerges as the reigning champion of aesthetic cities worldwide with an impressive score of 9.13/10. This top-ranking position is the result of an immense artistic and cultural heritage that includes, for example, iconic sites such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. Not surprisingly, the entire historic center of the city has been recognized as a World Heritage Site twice (in 1980 and 1990) along with the extraterritorial properties of the Holy See and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The Global Aesthetic Cities Index podium is rounded out by two respectable opponents: romantic and stylish Paris, with an overall score of 8.69/10, and bustling London with 8.39/10.