The world's top cities for breathtaking skylines, including Liverpool and Edinburgh
There's something especially magical about a city skyline as daylight fades to dusk and the twinkling lights come on. A waterside location adds shimmering reflections and glorious photo opportunities... a full Moon is a wonderful bonus. Here are our favourites from around the world...
Greek islands added to list of travel corridors
ROME
The weight of centuries hangs heavy over the River Tiber in Rome. The best spot has the AD134 St Angelo Bridge in the foreground and magnificent St Peter’s Basilica behind, an architectural stripling at a mere 394 years old.
LOS ANGELES
Downtown in the City of Angels looks absolutely heavenly after the sun has set over the Pacific Ocean. The seemingly endless lights reveal the sheer scale of this vast conurbation.
EDINBURGH
The 338ft Calton Hill is your go-to for the classic, sweeping vista of the illuminated Balmoral Hotel, The Mound, North Bridge and the brooding Edinburgh Castle.
SHANGHAI
The modern, multicoloured skyscrapers of Pudong soar above the Huangpu River, opposite the historic Bund. The Bund Sightseeing Tunnel has an amusing 70s-feel maglev train which links them.
CHICAGO
Officially it’s called Cloud Gate but to locals, the highly polished Millennium Park stainless steel sculpture by British Indian sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor is “The Bean”. On reflection, it’s brilliant.
BAKU
The capital of oil-rich Azerbaijan gets a look in for the striking Flame Towers, a trio of skyscrapers which (unsurprisingly) symbolise fire. They house apartments, offices and a swanky Fairmont hotel.
TOKYO
Japan’s paean to neon is spellbinding from high up. If your budget permits, see it from the super-luxe 52nd floor New York Grill & Bar in the Park Hyatt hotel.
SINGAPORE
Marina Bay dazzles in the dark with the Marina Bay Sands hotel, ArtScience Museum and Singapore Flyer observation wheel your social-media musts.
LIVERPOOL
Pier Head waterfront on the River Mersey is dominated by the glorious early 20th-century Three Graces – the Royal Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building, with Liverpool Cathedral in the background. A hugely popular spot for tourists with a Beatles statue too. You’ll Never Selfie Alone here.
BUDAPEST
Hungary’s fine capital straddles the River Danube, with Széchenyi Chain Bridge and the Parliament of Budapest particularly captivating as night falls.
SYDNEY
When you’ve got the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, The Rocks, Circular Quay ferries and the Central Business District skyscrapers, you’ve got city night skyline gold.
TORONTO
Great neighbourhoods, great food, great shopping, great sights – and the Lake Ontario skyline is great after dark too. It’s a great city by the Great Lakes.
Deals of the week
SHORT HAUL
Madeira from £399pp: fly from Heathrow between October 21-November 21 for a seven-night B&B break at the fourstar Four Views Oasis Hotel in Canico. Book by October 18 at ba.com/madeira ¦ Cyprus from £428pp: a week's B&B at the five-star Venus Beach Hotel in Paphos departs from Gatwick on October 27. awayholidays.co.uk
LONG HAUL
Dubai from £757pp: save 55% on a seven-night half-board stay at the five-star Grand Hyatt hotel. Fly from Birmingham on January 27, includes drinks with dinner.southalltravel.co.uk
CITY BREAK
Berlin £349pp: travel by rail from London St Pancras for two nights in a threestar+ hotel. Departures between November 11-March 31, 2021. Book by October 31. charitable.travel
STAYCATION
Pembrokeshire from £528: a half-term self-catering week at the Owl's Retreat (sleeps four) in West Williamson is for arrival on October 24.qualitycottages.co.uk *Prices correct at time of publication