When you travel, it is best to start the day early and enjoy it to the utmost. However, we recommend you save some energy for the night time. When the streets, buildings and monuments are illuminated, places appear totally different and give a romantic, magical experience.
There is no better time to take it all in than with the moonlit starry sky as the backdrop to world famous landmarks. Here are 10 of the most magical places to visit by night.
1. Sacre Coeur, Paris, France
Construction began in 1875 on the Sacre Couer, it was finally finished in 1914 and consecrated in 1919 after World War 1. Located in Montmartre, this beautiful monument stands on a hill overlooking Paris, the view from there is what you would only see in a postcard. The lit up Sacre Coeur stands set against the night sky in all its glory.
2. Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
The Trevi Fountain is a fantastic work of art that is much more than just a mere scultpure. You can hear its presence from the nearby streets, and it is a breathtaking sight, especially at night. Lights ignite the various sculptures and you will always find crowds of people around the fountain enjoying the peace and quiet and sound of flowing water, but also the amazing architecture.
3. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin, Germany
The Brandenburg Gate was built over three years beginning in 1788 and is one of Berlin’s most visited landmarks. It is a sandstone structure and it creates a beautiful image against the dark sky at night. Tourists flock from all over to visit this symbolic gate, is it any wonder why?
4. Empire State Building, New York, USA
Standing as New York’s tallest building, the Empire State Building is one of the world’s most famous landmarks. Lit up at night, it rises above the rest and shines in the New York skyline. Building on the Empire State Building started in 1929, and in 2011 it was reported as being the most photographed building in the world! Make sure to snap a photo of your own after dark.
5. Symphony of Lights, Hong Kong
The Symphony of Lights is a nightly multimedia show that includes more than 40 buildings from both sides of Victoria Harbour. Named the ‘World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show’ it is an unforgettable spectacle that is not to be missed!
6. The Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most visited monuments in the world (seven million visitors a year!). It is the main symbol of the city of love, and it is magical both during the day and at night. When lit up at night, you can not help but stop and stare, and ask yourself why is it so pretty? Every hour it flashes for five minutes, a magnificent display that can be seen all around the city.
7. The Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpar
The Petronas towers are for Malaysia what the Eiffel Tower is for France. The most impressive of the towers, aside from their height, is seeing them lit up at night. Almost all the guidebooks advise against climbing to the top of the towers, because then you will not see them! Ideally, visit the KL Tower, one of the tallest telecommunications towers in the world. From there you can admire the famous illuminated Petronas Towers.
8. Alcala Gate, Madrid, Spain
In one corner of the famous Retiro Park is the Puerta de Alcalá. One of the most central and emblematic aspects of the Spanish capital, the door was once one of five that acted as the entrance to Madrid. It was the precursor to other important monuments, such as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
9. The Great Wall of China, Bejing, China
Of course the Great Wall is amazing day or night, but if we have to choose a picture, we chose one at moonlight. More than 20,000 kilometers long, the wall took centuries to be built and is said to be the largest cemetery in the world since more than 10,000 workers died while building it.
10. Red Square, Moscow, Russia
St. Basil’s Cathedral, an orthodox temple in the famous Red Square in Moscow, offers a spectacular night view. With nine chapels unified, the Cathedral was used by Napoleon as a stable! Legend has it that Ivan the Terrible (who built the cathedral) blinded the architect once the work was done in order to never return to build anything like this cathedral.
