Photos: Varanasi among world's 10 most colourful places

What are the most colourful places in the world? Tripadvisor.in lists out the top ten to help you find!

There are places you go to because they are on the map and then there are those that take your breath away the moment you set your eyes on them. Tripadvisor.in lists out the top ten most colourful places in the world.

10. San Francisco, California, US

Who cares about a little fog (okay, a lot of fog) when there's so much to do in San Francisco? By day, explore Fisherman's Wharf and the Aquarium of the Bay, ride a cable car, and stroll around the Presidio; by night, have a fabulous dinner (at a Michelin-starred restaurant or a tiny place in Chinatown), then hit some of the best clubs on the West Coast.

9. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Whether your curiosity is piqued by the International Olympic Committee's selection for the 2016 Games, or you're heeding the call of the famous twin beaches Copacabana and Ipanema, Rio offers more than you can imagine, and offers it at all hours. With breathtaking views from Corcovado Mountain and breathtaking deals in the city's endless malls and markets, Rio de Janeiro is a holiday paradise, whatever it is you travel for.

8. Willemstad, Curacao, Caribbean

The lively capital of Curacao is a welcoming, upbeat destination with two distinct historic districts divided by the lovely St. Anna Bay. Punda, site of neat, narrow streets, is crammed with shops and museums. Otrobanda, or "The Other Side," is a maze of twisting residential streets, contrasting with the organised grid across the bay. Willemstad's colourful colonial architecture has won its UNESCO Heritage site designation. Diving and swimming with dolphins are popular activities in the bay.

7. Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India

The north Indian city of Varanasi, or Benares, is regarded as sacred by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Situated in the fertile Ganga valley and on the banks of the Ganges, Varanasi is a place of pilgrimage for Hindus, who come to bathe in the holy river.

Known as the City of Temples and a beacon of culture, Varanasi has produced many renowned writers. It's also a centre of silk weaving, so practise haggling at the chaotic bazaar for some beautiful souvenirs. Rickshaws are the best way to get about.

6. Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan

Dotonbori is a single street that runs between the Dotonboribashi Bridge and the Nipponbashi Bridge alongside the Dotonbori canal in Osaka. It used to be a pleasure district best known for its historic theatres that are all gone. Today, it is the heart of Osaka nightlife, this area is filled with restaurants, cafes, bars, arcades and nightclubs.

5. Keukenhof, Lisse, The Netherlands

Keukenhof (also known as the Garden of Europe) is the place to see spring blossom. The park is unique, world famous, and has been one of the most popular destinations in the Netherlands for sixty years now. Haven't seen Keukenhof? Then you haven't seen the Netherlands.

You won't find such an abundance of colours and fragrances anywhere else. More than seven million flowers form a glorious decor for the most beautiful photos. Come to Keukenhof and enjoy the ultimate spring feeling, the wonderful works of art, the surprising insipration gardens and the many flower shows

Known as the birthplace of the tango, this one-time shipyard has a famous walkway, the Caminito, where tango dancers perform and artists exhibit their work.

3. Burano, Venice, Italy

Burano is an island in the Venetian Lagoon of northern Italy that is best known for its lacework and brightly coloured homes. The best way to get around Burano is by foot and and soak in the beauty and take pictures of the houses on the island where every color of the rainbow is represented.

You could also visit the tiny lace museum, enjoy a good lunch or a drink and buy lace from local artists. Burano is in many ways a good escape from busy islands such as Venice.

2. Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa

There is just no way you can drive through an area and say that you have visited.

Bo-Kaap is a vibrant area with lots of culture and character. The Bo-Kaap would do well to have its own information centre.

On weekends there are numerous sporting events, of which Rugby is a major attraction. Then there are various cultural music groups who practice in the community halls in the area. During the week, there are music classes on the go and also groups practicing for their annual concerts.

Then there are the Cape Minstrells and the Xmas choirs who practice throughout the year, the cooking classes at peoples homes. One really needs a local Tourist guide to take you around the area to appreciate the architechture, culture, religious practices, Kramats (places where a Muslim holy man is buried), food and the fantastic history of the area. If you really want to be able to say that you have visited a country you must have connected with its people.

Best known for its Festival Cervantino, an arts festival that draws attendance from around the world, Guanajuato is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its old town dates back to the 16th century, and you can visit many of Mexico's important religious and artistic sites. Guanajuato was also home to the Mexican independence movement and the site of the first failed rebellion against colonial rule.