It’s a Barbie world and we’re all just living in it! Ever since the Barbie movie, based on the beloved Mattel Barbie doll, was released in 2023, it seems everyone has embraced all that is pretty, pink and pastel. We’re huge fans of Barbie at Expat Explore and when we found out that 9 March is officially National Barbie Day, we could barely contain our excitement! These Barbies have searched the globe for the prettiest pink sights so that you too can feel like you’re living in Barbie World!
Delight in these pink sights around the world this Barbie Day:
Pantai Merah, Indonesia
This one is actually for the Kens. Specifically, for the Beach Kens. Pantai Merah, also known as Pink Beach, is located on Komodo Island in Indonesia. It gets its name from the spectacular, naturally pink sand that lines its shores. The pink hues are a result of microscopic red coral debris mixed with white sand.
There are a few pink sand beaches around the world but the dazzling blue of the water on Pantai Merah makes it a particularly striking setting for a beach holiday.
Related: These are the best city beaches in Europe.
La Muralla Roja, Spain
As an apartment complex with rooms available to buy and rent, this may just be the closest you can get to a real-life Barbie Dream House! This postmodern building was designed by renowned Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill and is considered one of the top tourist attractions on the east coast of Spain. Bofill stated that his inspiration for La Muralla Roja (meaning “the red wall”) came from a combination of North African casbahs and avant-garde fashion.
While you can see the complex from the outside, it is only possible to enter if you rent a room for a night or two. For those who choose to stay, there’s even a rooftop pool to look forward to!
Related: Get a Taste of Spain on this unforgettable 7-day tour.
Jaipur, India
If you’re looking for a whole pink city, then look no further than Jaipur in India! The capital of the Rajasthan state is actually nicknamed “Pink City” due to its many stunning pink buildings. Most notably, the City Palace stands right in the centre of the city. This is the royal residence of the Maharaja Padmanabh Singh and the royal family. It is also home to a museum and courtyards which can be visited by the public. Both the exterior and much of the interior are covered in pink!
Another must-see pink palace in Jaipur is the Hawa Mahal. Built in 1799, this palace stands at about 50ft high and is the world’s tallest, still-standing building to be built without a foundation! The gorgeous facade was made with red and pink sandstone while the interior is more understated.
Marrakesh, Morocco
Much like Jaipur, Marrakesh is another “pink city”. Well, Marrakesh’s nickname is actually El Hamra which means Red City but we’re counting it! Much of the buildings were built with red clay and when this clay dries it becomes a salmon pink. Marrakesh is one of four Imperial Cities in Morocco and is home to exceptional architectural and historical sights.
While wandering through the faded pink hues of this captivating city, be sure to visit one of its bustling bazaars, explore the iconic Koutoubia Mosque and experience the Yves Saint Laurent Museum – all of which shine in shades of pink!
Related: Learn all about our Morocco Discovery Tour!
Mount Nelson, South Africa
The most luxurious hotel in South Africa just also happens to be the pinkest! And, it’s not just any pink. The Mount Nelson pink was specially designed by paint experts and is made in such a way that, in between coats, the colour fades to a specific (still pink) colour. This colourful decision dates back to 1918 when the news of WWI ending made its way to Cape Town. Aldo Renato, the hotel manager at the time, wanted to express the sheer joy felt around the world at this time with the walls of this beautiful hotel.
Since then, Mount Nelson has hosted some very famous guests including Queen Elizabeth II, John Lennon (who insisted on making his own bed), Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (who held seances in his room) and Nelson Mandela among many others. As you can imagine from their esteemed clientele, a stay at Mount Nelson is not exactly budget-friendly. However, you can still enjoy its surroundings with an exquisite (and affordable) afternoon tea or perhaps just a drink at the bar!
Related: Have a look at the top things to do in Cape Town, South Africa!
The Don CeSar, USA
Another luxury hotel making our list is the Don CeSar, nicknamed the “Pink Lady”, in Florida, USA. During the Jazz Age, this hotel screamed “Come on Barbie, let’s go party!” with its party-loving, famous guests. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Al Capone and Franklin D. Roosevelt have been said to have enjoyed a wild night at the Don CeSar in their day. Marilyn Monroe (a real-life Barbie) even stayed there while filming Some Like It Hot. Sadly, the hotel fell into disrepair when the owner died without a will. During WWII it became a military hospital.
Thankfully, a rebirth ensued in 1972 when the Don CeSar was bought by a Holiday Inn franchise owner. Now named the Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa, this hotel is a popular feature in pop culture. Both Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Pitbull have shot music videos there!
Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, The Netherlands
One of the most iconic sights in the Netherlands is the tulips which bloom once a year in Keukenhof Gardens, usually in spring, from March until May. Around 7 million tulip bulbs cover the 79 acres of land during this period, making for a breathtakingly beautiful sight. While the tulips come in many colours including yellow and red, many are a brilliant, bright pink! It’s possible to see long stretches of purely pink tulips, making this a bucket list sight for any pink lover.
This famous garden is certainly fit for a Barbie. In fact, a few scenes in the film show Barbie travelling through fields of tulips against a backdrop of Dutch windmills!
Related: Discover why Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, is a must-visit!
Tân Định Church, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh (formerly known as Saigon) is a bustling city and one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. There’s certainly a lot to see when roaming the streets of Ho Chi Minh. However, the Tân Định Church is a sight sure to stop everyone in their tracks!
With its unique combination of neo-Romanesque, neo-Gothic and neo-Renaissance architectural elements, this 60m-high, pink church certainly sticks out among its surrounding buildings. Not only does the exterior captivate you with its enchanting pink walls, but the interior of the church is a beautiful bubblegum pink too! Built in 1876, this Roman Catholic church has survived many turbulent periods of Ho Chi Minh’s history and is thus a symbol of the city’s perseverance.
Related: Visit Ho Chi Minh and experience the Highlights of Vietnam!
Lake Hillier, Australia
For this next entry, we’re going down under! On the edge of Middle Island off the coast of Western Australia lies an astounding saline lake that is, you guessed it, hot pink! The colour of the lake remained a mystery for many years but extensive research eventually revealed that the colour is likely caused by red-orange bacteria and red algae.
The lake is extremely salty, about eight times saltier than the ocean! Thanks to this salt, the lake is actually safe to swim in. However, it is unfortunately not allowed unless special permission is given due to conservation efforts. The best way to see Lake Hillier is with a scenic helicopter ride.
Takinoue Park, Japan
One of the world’s most iconic pink sights is cherry blossom season in Japan. Every spring, Japan becomes a pink wonderland as the sakura bloom. Cherry blossom sightings occur all over the country during this period but cities like Tokyo and Kyoto become incredibly busy at this time of year. Of course, the cherry blossoms should be on every Japan bucket list. However, this next entry is another pink spectacle that deserves a mention!
Takinoue Park is located in the town of Takinoue in Hokkaido. It’s famous for its Shibazakura or pink moss. From May to June, the whole park is covered with glorious little pink flowers. With snowy mountains as a backdrop, endless fields of pink and the sweet smell these flowers give off, it feels like stepping into a real fairytale!
Related: These are the best seasonal attractions in Japan.
From natural wonders to architectural marvels, pink is all around us! If we’ve missed any of your favourite pink spots, let us know in the comments.
If you’re ready to explore la vie en rose, book a tour and look forward to seeing countless magical sights!