Colleges With Architecture and Scenery That Steal the Show
Not everyone thinks of college campuses when considering where to travel to next, but they really should. There are college campuses out there that are considered among the most beautiful buildings on the world. They’re rich in history and culture, and welcome tourists who behave themselves. Let’s take a look at the most gorgeous ones.
University of Bologna – Italy
The University of Bologna, sometimes shortened to UniBo, is considered to be the oldest working university in the world. And as befits such a fascinating place, the architecture is second to none. It contains a variety of museums that sit in areas of great beauty.
Cornell University – New York, USA
Cornell is all about Gothic elegance in the beauty of nature. It’s perched on a hill overlooking Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes, which gives students and tourists stunning views of the water. The campus is also home to several gorgeous waterfalls.
Royal Roads University – Canada
Royal Roads University lives up to its name by having a literal Victorian castle on campus. This is Hatley Castle, which was a filming location for the X-Men and Deadpool movies! But that’s not all the place has to offer. The campus boasts stunning views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and it surely has distracted many a student from their studies in the past.
University of Salamanca – Spain
The University of Salamanca is the fourth oldest uni in the world, being founded in 1218 by King Alfonso IX. And with that incredible history comes great beauty, too. People visit from all over to see the spectacular Spanish architecture.
Stellenbosch University - South Africa
Stellenbosch University is the oldest university in South Africa and it’s widely considered one of the most stunning places in the country. Palm trees and mountains tower over it, giving people a real sense of the grandeur of that part of the world. It also has its own botanical garden!
The University of Helsinki - Finland
The University of Helsinki is the place to be if you’re interested in saving the environment. It has a 10-acre botanical garden with a massive greenhouse, and over 800 different plant species grow there. The university also features more modern campuses like the Kumpula and Viikki campuses, which also focus on green spaces and the beauty of nature.
University of St Andrews – Scotland
This university has a reputation for housing royalty. Prince William went there, and it’s where he met his future wife Kate Middleton. You can easily see why the two of them were attracted to the place, because it has beautiful Gothic buildings in amongst endless shades of green.
The University of Sydney – Australia
If you thought Australia was beautiful already, just wait until you see the University of Sydney. Established all the way back in 1850, it’s Australia’s oldest university, and its main campus showcases a gorgeous blend of historic architecture and stunning modern designs.
University of Otago - New Zealand
New Zealand already has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and so it’s not surprising its first university is so stunning. The centerpiece is the Clocktower Building, designed by Maxwell Bury and Edmund Anscombe. Once you see it, you can’t take your eyes off it.
University of San Diego – California, USA
Just imagine getting to go to university in a stunning building in a warm and welcoming state. That’s what awaits students at the University of San Diego. It offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Mission Bay alongside fine examples of Spanish Renaissance-style architecture.
University of Cambridge – England
The University of Cambridge is considered one of the finest educational institutions in England, if not the world. And it has an aesthetic to match its reputation. Students and visitors alike can enjoy stunning Gothic architecture alongside the River Cam and a grand botanical garden.
Kyung Hee University - South Korea
If you’re ever visiting Seoul in South Korea, take some time out to check out the Kyung Hee University. It’s impossible to miss – it’s surrounded by cherry blossom trees. The elegant buildings loom out of the sea of pink like friendly giants and welcome you in.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology – USA
You’ve never seen buildings like the ones created for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Lots of different architectural styles – modernist, neo-futuristic, classical – compete for your attention and boy do they get it. Needless to say, the place attracts a lot of students and has a reputation for nurturing young talent.
National Autonomous University of Mexico – Mexico
This stunning campus was created by a collective of Mexico’s leading architects and artists, who wanted a place that was beautiful but also reflected Mexican identity and culture. People come from afar to check out the Central Library, which is covered with a mural depicting important events in Mexican history.
Swarthmore College – Pennsylvania, USA
Swarthmore College looks like something out of a fantasy novel. It’s a green oasis covered in plants and trees, with dazzling Gothic-style buildings (and an observatory!) set among the organized chaos. It’s especially beautiful in spring when the cherry blossoms start to come out.
University of Cape Town - South Africa
The University of Cape Town (UCT) is widely celebrated as one of the most beautiful university campuses in the world, and you can see why. People come from all over to marvel at its architecture and the views: you can see Cape Town, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Cape Peninsula from UCT.
Flagler College – Florida, USA
Think of Florida and you tend to think of theme parks and beaches, not beautiful college campuses. Well, Flagler College proves that all wrong. The campus is located in and around what used to be a luxury resort owned by Henry Flagler, and it looks absolutely stunning.
Berry College – Georgia, USA
Berry College has British Gothic architecture in the middle of Georgia, and the effect is really stunning. It’s also surrounded by pools, forests and lakes which only add to its beauty. For some people, the vibe of the place is just like visiting Hogwarts from the Harry Potter movies.
University of Coimbra – Portugal
The University of Coimbra is another uni with a lot of history behind its beautiful walls. It was established in 1290 by King Denis of Portugal, the Poet King, and has only grown in stature since then. Today, it’s actually a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Stanford University – California, USA
Stanford is the place to be if you love plants. The university’s campus is a vast arboretum, boasting over 26,000 trees and a dazzling array of plant species. But it’s also the place to be if you love arts! It has a magnificent arts center and a sculpture garden.
University of São Paulo – Brazil
Brazil is beautiful already, but the University of São Paulo is a key attraction in getting tourists to come to the area. It’s stunning from the moment you first lay eyes on it. You’re surrounded by trees, mountains and magnificent buildings, and you’ll never want to leave.
Tama Art University – Japan
If you ever holiday in Toyko, take some time out to visit the Tama Art University. It was designed by celebrated architect Toyo Ito, and it’s beautiful both inside and out. You could even say it’s a work of art in itself!
Sorbonne University – France
Of course a university located in Paris would be stunningly beautiful, that’s just how the French do things. People come from all over the world to admire Sorbonne University for its classic French architecture, deep historical significance (it was created in 1257), and romantic setting.
Tsinghua University – China
Tsinghua University sits on the spot where the Qing Dynasty's royal gardens once were, so you better believe it’s an environment like no other. It’s a delightful mix of traditional Chinese architecture, modern and more Western architecture, and greenery.
Oxford University – England
Oxford University is one of the oldest institutions in the world and it has the architecture to match. Its buildings are old, grand, and much-photographed. Among the buildings the university maintains is the Ashmolean Museum, which hosts artifacts from all over the world.
